KCSA Kubernetes Cluster Component Security Practice Question
You are hardening a production Kubernetes control plane. You need to ensure that etcd client-to-server and peer communications are strictly encrypted in transit and require mutual TLS (mTLS). Which etcd configuration flag combination enforces this requirement?
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
✓
--client-cert-auth=true and --peer-client-cert-auth=true along with valid CA and key pair paths.
Securing etcd requires configuring both server-side and client-side TLS certificates along with client certificate verification flags.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
--auto-tls=true for all endpoints.
Why it's wrong here
--auto-tls generates self-signed certificates automatically, which does not provide strict verified mTLS control against a trusted enterprise CA.
- ✓
--client-cert-auth=true and --peer-client-cert-auth=true along with valid CA and key pair paths.
Why this is correct
Enabling client certificate authentication forces both clients (like the API server) and cluster peers to present valid, signed certificates.
- ✗
--insecure-transport=false combined with HTTP proxy routing.
Why it's wrong here
Etcd does not use --insecure-transport in this manner; TLS is configured via explicit certificate file flags.
- ✗
--cipher-suites=TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA
Why it's wrong here
This only specifies cipher suites, leaving authentication mechanisms unconfigured.
About these practice questions
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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.