Kubernetes environments present several unique security risks, including misconfigurations, insufficient network segmentation, weak access controls, vulnerable container images, insider threats, increased attack surface, and the need for defense-in-depth approaches. To mitigate these risks, Kubernetes deployments must integrate security capabilities such as configuration hardening, network micro-segmentation, granular access controls, container image scanning, encrypted secrets management, and enhanced monitoring. The use of purpose-built tools like kube-bench, Falco, Sysdig, and Datadog can provide critical security features tailored to Kubernetes. Implementing best practices such as maintaining up-to-date Kubernetes versions, hardening components and hosts, managing secrets securely, continuously monitoring and auditing all activities, and validating and locking down containers are also crucial for securing Kubernetes environments.