We are proud to announce that BlakYaks has become a Kubernetes Certified Service Provider (KCSP). This is a big milestone for our team and confirms our position as a leading UK provider of cloud native and Kubernetes consultancy

We are thrilled to announce our recognition as a Kubernetes Certified Service Provider (KCSP).  The KCSP program, managed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation® (CNCF®) in partnership with the Linux Foundation, is a select list of service providers who have deep experience helping enterprises to successfully adopt Kubernetes. 

Gartner estimates that over 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud native platforms by 2025. In this context, many organisations are looking for a partner with specialist skills to migrate their legacy/containerised workloads to the cloud or to assist them in developing new cloud native applications leveraging DevSecOps, GitOps, Kubernetes and microservices. Achieving our accreditation as a KCSP highlights our team’s deep expertise and exceptional proficiency in deploying, configuring, and optimising Kubernetes clusters.    

As a young yet rapidly expanding company and one of the few UK-based companies to have achieved KCSP status, this remarkable achievement solidifies BlakYaks status as a trusted partner for organisations embarking on the Kubernetes journey and we reinforce our commitment to excellence, quality, and innovation in the realm of cloud native technologies. 

What is the Kubernetes Certified Service Provider Program? 

The KCSP program (run by the CNCF in partnership with the Linux Foundation) is a recognition for partners who have demonstrated their capabilities and experience in delivering successful customer outcomes in all aspects of Kubernetes. By selecting a KCSP, enterprises can be confident that they will receive the highest level of expertise and support for their Kubernetes projects. 

To become a KCSP, we had to meet a series of requirements set by the CNCF: 

• Training and Certification: Kubernetes Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) are core components of BlakYaks training program and validate our team's comprehensive understanding of Kubernetes (architecture, deployment, operations, and troubleshooting)    

• Project Experience: BlakYaks has a proven track record of delivering and operating production Kubernetes workloads for our clients. 

• Best Practices: We have developed a comprehensive set of deployment and operational processes based on Kubernetes best practice including - security, monitoring, observability and patch management.   

Achieving the KCSP milestone demonstrates not only our commitment to promoting open-source principles and driving the adoption of cloud native technologies but also positions us as a trusted partner to provide organisations with robust, automated and scalable solutions that address the dynamic demands of our customers. 

Our cloud native credentials 

As a member of the CNCF and the Linux Foundation (LF), together with fourteen other KCSP companies headquartered in the UK, alongside our accreditations as a Microsoft Azure Digital & App Innovation Solutions Partner (Digital & App Innovation with Kubernetes on Azure, and Infrastructure), we stay updated on the latest cloud native technologies to identify the best tools for integration with our solutions.  

Becoming a KCSP is a further demonstration of our cloud native and open-source credentials having also recently joined CNCF and the Linux Foundation. CNCF is an open-source software foundation that aims to advance the development and adoption of cloud native computing technologies. CNCF hosts and supports various projects, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, Flux, Kyverno, and many others, and it provides a neutral and collaborative environment for developers, end-users, and vendors to collaborate and drive innovation in cloud native technologies. The foundation also offers certifications, such as the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), to validate individuals' expertise in Kubernetes. 

By joining the CNCF, BlakYaks gains access to an extensive network of industry experts, best practices, and resources, enabling the company to accelerate its development and integration of Kubernetes-based solutions. The opportunity to collaborate and share insights with some of the largest names in the technology sector provides us with a distinct advantage, fostering unparalleled growth and ensuring our continued success. 

 BlakYaks Kubernetes Service Portfolio 

Here are some examples of the Kubernetes work we are currently undertaking for our clients: 

• Conducting platform assessments and recommendations: We deliver comprehensive assessments of our clients’ Kubernetes platforms to determine their readiness for production workloads, documenting any necessary remediation recommendations. 

• Building cloud native foundations with code: We leverage BlakYaks IP, industry experience, best practice, and established standards to design and build the foundations for a successful transition to cloud native. It includes helping clients adopt methodologies like DevSecOps, GitOps, and Infrastructure as Code and AKS best practice. 

• Embedding robust security measures in container platforms: We provide comprehensive security assessments of our clients’ Kubernetes platforms to determine their compliance with industry standards, including CIS. Based on our findings, we provide comprehensive recommendations for improvement, including platform design and build, to address any vulnerabilities.  

• Designing enterprise-grade container platforms: We design and deploy enterprise-grade container platforms (ECP) that are highly automated, scalable, and capable of hosting mission-critical modern applications. BlakYaks ECP capabilities include (but not limited to) Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), RedHat Openshift, Docker, and Rancher.

• Customer team augmentation: We provide "on demand" capacity and expertise to support our customers’ progressive cloud strategies. Ttypical engagements include App migration, App modernisation (microservices, serverless & PaaS), DevOps, and IaC adoption.    

Read more about our Kubernetes services here.

Optimise your Azure cloud native platform with our AKS discovery workshops 

We are currently delivering a series of free-of-charge Discovery Consultations to organisations wanting to accelerate their journey towards cloud native platforms & app modernisation. Our engineers and consultants will tailor the workshop to the specific strategic goals of your organisation and after reviewing your platform, will deliver some valuable recommendations to achieve your cloud native goals. 

Our Azure Kubernetes Discovery Consultation explained: 

For more information about our other Discovery Consultations’ themes or to book your session, click here or get in touch today. 

Get in touch about our AKS services today 

If you are looking to adopt cloud native services, seeking a platform review, or determining the most suitable cloud native tools for your organisation, get in touch today.  Our comprehensive solution portfolio (assess, plan, design, implement and operate) is tailored to meet the unique requirements of each customer. We'll conduct a complimentary Discovery Consultation with your technology team to understand the challenges your organisation faces in adopting cloud native practices and provide recommendations for the next steps.  

Contact us now or book a meeting here.