The disclosed technology provides solutions for performing rapid authentication and authorization for distributed containerized microservices. In some aspects, a process of the technology can include steps for: associating a service type with a set of microservices or service pods, detecting deployment of a first microservice on a first host, and receiving an authentication and authorization state from a first virtual network edge (VNE) of the first host. In some aspects, the process can further include steps for distributing the authentication state to a second VNE on a second host, wherein the authentication state is configured to facilitate authentication of one or more subsequent microservices instantiated on the second host by the second VNE. Systems and machine readable media are also provided.