This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. 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.
A security audit reveals that the etcd datastore is not encrypted at rest. Which resource should be created to enable encryption of secrets at rest?
EncryptionConfiguration
This resource defines providers and keys for encryption at rest.
EtcdEncryption
Why wrong: This is not a valid resource name.
EncryptionConfig
Why wrong: The correct resource is EncryptionConfiguration, not EncryptionConfig.
SecretEncryption
Why wrong: This is not a valid Kubernetes resource.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
EncryptionConfiguration
To enable encryption of secrets at rest in Kubernetes, you must create an EncryptionConfiguration resource. This resource defines which encryption providers (e.g., AES-CBC, secretbox) to use and how to encrypt resources stored in etcd. The kube-apiserver reads this configuration via the --encryption-provider-config flag and applies it to all resources in the specified resource group, such as secrets.
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.
EncryptionConfiguration
Why this is correct
This resource defines providers and keys for encryption at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
EtcdEncryption
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid resource name.
EncryptionConfig
Why it's wrong here
The correct resource is EncryptionConfiguration, not EncryptionConfig.
SecretEncryption
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid Kubernetes resource.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the exact API resource name, and candidates mistakenly pick 'EtcdEncryption' or 'EncryptionConfig' because they sound plausible, but only 'EncryptionConfiguration' is the correct Kubernetes resource defined in the apiserver configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the EncryptionConfiguration resource is processed by the kube-apiserver to encrypt data before writing to etcd and decrypt it on read. The configuration supports multiple providers (aescbc, secretbox, kms, identity) and key rotation via the 'resources' array. A subtle behavior is that encryption only applies to newly written data; existing data must be re-encrypted by rewriting the resources (e.g., using kubectl get secrets --all-namespaces -o yaml | kubectl apply -f -).
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 CKS 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.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Cluster Setup and Hardening practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CKS questions
997 questions across all exam domains
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CKS 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 CKS questions linked to Monitoring Logging and Runtime Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Setup and Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to System Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities.
Practise CKS questions linked to Supply Chain Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Setup.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS fundamentals.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS scenario.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: EncryptionConfiguration — To enable encryption of secrets at rest in Kubernetes, you must create an EncryptionConfiguration resource. This resource defines which encryption providers (e.g., AES-CBC, secretbox) to use and how to encrypt resources stored in etcd. The kube-apiserver reads this configuration via the --encryption-provider-config flag and applies it to all resources in the specified resource group, such as secrets.
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 30, 2026
This CKS 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 CKS 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.