Quick Answer
The answer is SYS_TIME, NET_ADMIN, and SYSLOG are valid Linux capabilities for containers that can be added to a securityContext. These capabilities are part of the Linux kernel’s privilege system, allowing fine-grained control over what a container process can do without granting full root access. For example, NET_ADMIN enables network administration tasks like configuring interfaces and managing firewall rules, while SYS_TIME permits changing the system clock. On the CKAD exam, this topic tests your understanding of Pod security contexts and the `capabilities.add` field, often appearing in multi-select questions where distractors include non-existent or overly broad capabilities like `SYS_ADMIN` or `ALL`. A common trap is confusing capabilities with kernel modules or assuming any capability starting with “SYS” is valid. To remember, think of the mnemonic “CANS” — Capabilities Added for Network and System — covering NET_ADMIN, SYS_TIME, and SYSLOG as the three most commonly tested additions.
This CKAD practice question tests your understanding of application environment, configuration and security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which THREE of the following are capabilities that can be added to a container's securityContext?
RuntimeDefault
Why wrong: This is a seccomp profile type, not a capability.
CAP_SYS_ADMIN
Why wrong: This is a valid capability but the correct name is 'SYS_ADMIN', not 'CAP_SYS_ADMIN'. Capability names in Kubernetes omit the 'CAP_' prefix.
NET_ADMIN
Allows various network-related operations (e.g., interface configuration).
CHOWN
Allows changing file ownership.
SYS_TIME
Allows setting system time.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
NET_ADMIN
Option C (NET_ADMIN) is correct because it is a Linux capability that can be added to a container's securityContext under the `capabilities.add` field. This capability allows the container to perform network administration tasks such as interface configuration, firewall management, and routing table manipulation, which are common in network-focused pods.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
RuntimeDefault
Why it's wrong here
This is a seccomp profile type, not a capability.
CAP_SYS_ADMIN
Why it's wrong here
This is a valid capability but the correct name is 'SYS_ADMIN', not 'CAP_SYS_ADMIN'. Capability names in Kubernetes omit the 'CAP_' prefix.
NET_ADMIN
Why this is correct
Allows various network-related operations (e.g., interface configuration).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CHOWN
Why this is correct
Allows changing file ownership.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SYS_TIME
Why this is correct
Allows setting system time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse seccomp profiles (like RuntimeDefault) with Linux capabilities, or they assume that all capability names must be prefixed with 'CAP_' in the YAML (e.g., writing 'CAP_NET_ADMIN' instead of 'NET_ADMIN'), leading them to select incorrect options.
Detailed technical explanation
Linux capabilities break down the privileges of the root user into distinct units, such as CAP_NET_ADMIN (for network operations) and CAP_CHOWN (for changing file ownership). In Kubernetes, these are added via `securityContext.capabilities.add` and are enforced by the kernel's capability system, which checks each privileged operation against the process's permitted capability set. A real-world scenario is a pod running a network monitoring tool like tcpdump, which requires CAP_NET_ADMIN to capture packets on the host interface.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CKAD exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Application Environment, Configuration and Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CKAD questions
991 questions across all exam domains
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer CKAD study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CKAD practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CKAD questions linked to Application Design and Build.
Practise CKAD questions linked to Application Deployment.
Practise CKAD questions linked to Application Environment, Configuration and Security.
Practise CKAD questions linked to Application Observability and Maintenance.
Practise CKAD questions linked to Services and Networking.
Practise CKAD questions linked to CKAD fundamentals.
Practise CKAD questions linked to CKAD scenario.
Practise CKAD questions linked to CKAD troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — This question tests Application Environment, Configuration and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: NET_ADMIN — Option C (NET_ADMIN) is correct because it is a Linux capability that can be added to a container's securityContext under the `capabilities.add` field. This capability allows the container to perform network administration tasks such as interface configuration, firewall management, and routing table manipulation, which are common in network-focused pods.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This CKAD practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF 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 CKAD exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.