This conference talk explores how to optimize cost, performance, and security in Kubernetes environments through policy-as-code approaches. Learn practical strategies for implementing automated policies that help balance resource utilization, enhance application performance, and strengthen security postures in cloud-native deployments. Discover how policy-as-code can provide guardrails for Kubernetes configurations while maintaining operational flexibility and reducing manual oversight. The 46-minute presentation from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) offers valuable insights for DevOps professionals, platform engineers, and security specialists working with Kubernetes ecosystems.