Enabling TLS in Logstash pipelines encrypts data in transit, preventing eavesdropping and unauthorized access. By configuring certificates, keys, and trust relationships, secure channels are formed.
Logstash supports TLS on inputs and outputs. Clients like Filebeat must trust Logstash’s certificates, ensuring authenticated communication.
A secure pipeline adheres to compliance and privacy requirements, reinforcing end-to-end data protection in the Elastic Stack.
Steps to secure Logstash pipelines with TLS:
- Obtain TLS certificates and keys from a CA or internal PKI.
- Place the certificate and key files in a secure directory.
Ensure correct ownership and permissions for sensitive keys.
- Edit the pipeline input or output configuration to enable ssl_enable and specify paths.
$ sudo nano /etc/logstash/conf.d/tls_pipeline.conf (no direct output)
ssl_certificate and ssl_key define server-side credentials.
- Restart Logstash.
$ sudo systemctl restart logstash (no output)
Clients must trust the CA used by Logstash to avoid connection errors.
- Test secure connections from Filebeat or curl with the –insecure option initially.
Once verified, configure clients to trust the CA for fully secure communication.
Mohd Shakir Zakaria is a cloud architect with deep roots in software development and open-source advocacy. Certified in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, he specializes in designing and managing robust cloud and on-premises infrastructures.
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