Description: GKE network policies are essential tools for managing and controlling traffic between pods within a Kubernetes cluster. These policies allow administrators to define rules that specify how pods communicate with each other and with external services. Through these policies, access to certain pods can be restricted, allowing only authorized traffic, which helps improve security and organization within the cluster. Network policies are based on pod labels and selectors, providing great flexibility in configuration. Additionally, they are compatible with various network plugins, making their implementation easier across different network architectures. In an environment where applications are deployed in containers, the ability to control network traffic is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that only necessary services can communicate with each other. This not only helps protect sensitive data but also optimizes cluster performance by reducing unnecessary traffic. In summary, GKE network policies are an essential tool for managing security and efficiency in communication within a Kubernetes cluster.