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 scan reports that the etcd data directory is not encrypted at rest. The cluster uses etcd v3.5. Which steps are required to enable encryption?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an EncryptionConfiguration resource with aescbc, restart API server with --encryption-provider-config
Option B is correct because etcd data encryption at rest in Kubernetes is implemented via an EncryptionConfiguration resource that specifies a provider (e.g., aescbc) and a key. The kube-apiserver must be restarted with the --encryption-provider-config flag pointing to that configuration file, which instructs the API server to encrypt resources before writing them to etcd. This is the only supported method for enabling encryption at rest in Kubernetes clusters using etcd v3.5.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Create an EncryptionConfiguration resource with aescbc, restart API server with --encryption-provider-config
Why this is correct
This is the correct procedure for enabling encryption at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Set --encryption-provider=secretbox on etcd
Why it's wrong here
etcd does not support encryption at rest directly; it is handled by the API server.
✗
Set ETCD_ENABLE_ENCRYPTION=true environment variable
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid environment variable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume encryption at rest is configured directly on etcd (via flags or environment variables), when in fact it is a kube-apiserver-level feature that uses an EncryptionConfiguration resource and the --encryption-provider-config flag.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The EncryptionConfiguration resource supports multiple providers (aescbc, secretbox, identity, etc.), with aescbc being the recommended choice for production as it uses AES-CBC with PKCS#7 padding and a 32-byte key. The kube-apiserver encrypts data at the resource level before writing to etcd, meaning that even if etcd is compromised, the data remains encrypted. A subtle behavior is that the identity provider (no encryption) is the default, and changing the provider requires a key rotation procedure to avoid data loss.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an EncryptionConfiguration resource with aescbc, restart API server with --encryption-provider-config — Option B is correct because etcd data encryption at rest in Kubernetes is implemented via an EncryptionConfiguration resource that specifies a provider (e.g., aescbc) and a key. The kube-apiserver must be restarted with the --encryption-provider-config flag pointing to that configuration file, which instructs the API server to encrypt resources before writing them to etcd. This is the only supported method for enabling encryption at rest in Kubernetes clusters using etcd v3.5.
What should I do if I get this CKS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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