easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-901 Practice Question: A developer is deploying a microservice to a…
A developer is deploying a microservice to a Kubernetes cluster. The application needs to read a database password securely without hardcoding it in the image. Which Kubernetes resource should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between ConfigMaps and Secrets, trapping candidates who assume that base64 encoding provides security or that ConfigMaps can safely store passwords because they are 'just configuration.'
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Secret
(Secret) is correct because Kubernetes Secrets are specifically designed to store sensitive data such as database passwords, API keys, and certificates. They can be mounted as files or injected as environment variables into pods, ensuring the password is never hardcoded in the container image. Secrets are base64-encoded and can be encrypted at rest using etcd encryption or external KMS providers, providing a secure mechanism for managing credentials.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ConfigMap
Why it's wrong here
ConfigMap is for non-sensitive configuration data.
- ✗
ServiceAccount
Why it's wrong here
ServiceAccount provides identity for pods, not secrets.
- ✗
PersistentVolume
Why it's wrong here
PersistentVolume is for storage, not secrets.
- ✓
Secret
Why this is correct
Secret is designed for sensitive data like passwords.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-901 exam.