ICA Advanced Scenarios Practice Question
You need to integrate an external database into the mesh that does not support mTLS. How do you configure it securely?
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
✓
Define a ServiceEntry and use an EgressGateway for controlled access.
Use a ServiceEntry to define the external service, and an EgressGateway to handle TLS origination if needed, or simply restrict traffic via an AuthorizationPolicy.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Define a ServiceEntry and use an EgressGateway for controlled access.
Why this is correct
ServiceEntry brings the external service into the registry, and EgressGateway provides a single point of control for policy enforcement.
- ✗
Run a sidecar on the database server.
Why it's wrong here
Installing Istio components on external databases is not standard practice.
- ✗
Enable 'PERMISSIVE' mTLS mode for the entire mesh.
Why it's wrong here
This weakens security across the entire mesh.
- ✗
Create a Kubernetes Service with the database IP.
Why it's wrong here
Standard K8s services do not integrate with Istio's egress control features.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every ICA question from scratch — 292 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official CNCF / Linux Foundation exam blueprint
This ICA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF / Linux Foundation 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 ICA exam.