KCSA Overview OF Cloud Native Security Practice Question
When managing Kubernetes clusters on Google Cloud Platform (GKE), Google manages the control plane infrastructure. Under the shared responsibility model, what is the customer primarily responsible for securing?
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
✓
The Kubernetes worker node operating systems and cluster configuration
In managed Kubernetes (like GKE or EKS), the cloud provider manages the control plane, while the customer is responsible for configuring worker nodes, IAM, cluster networking, and workloads.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The physical security of the data center housing the servers
Why it's wrong here
Physical security is solely the cloud provider's responsibility.
- ✗
The underlying virtualization hypervisors of the physical data center
Why it's wrong here
Hypervisors are managed by the cloud provider.
- ✗
The internal etcd cluster database consensus protocol implementation
Why it's wrong here
Etcd and control plane components are managed by the provider in a managed Kubernetes service.
- ✓
The Kubernetes worker node operating systems and cluster configuration
Why this is correct
Customers are responsible for worker nodes, node OS updates, network policies, and cluster workloads.
About these practice questions
One of 320 original KCSA practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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 KCSA 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 KCSA exam.