This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 scanner reports that the Kubernetes dashboard is publicly accessible. Which recommended action should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Delete the dashboard deployment and use kubectl proxy to access it
The Kubernetes Dashboard is a powerful administrative tool that should never be exposed to the public internet. Deleting the dashboard deployment and using `kubectl proxy` to access it locally is the recommended action because it eliminates the attack surface entirely and ensures that access is restricted to the machine running the kubectl command, leveraging the API server's built-in authentication and authorization.
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.
✗
Expose the dashboard as a NodePort service for easy access
Why it's wrong here
NodePort exposes the dashboard on each node's IP, which is not recommended.
✗
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to the dashboard's ClusterIP
Why it's wrong here
ClusterIP is internal by default; public access usually comes from an Ingress or LoadBalancer.
✗
Enable authentication on the dashboard
Why it's wrong here
While authentication helps, public exposure itself is a risk; the dashboard should not be public.
✓
Delete the dashboard deployment and use kubectl proxy to access it
Why this is correct
kubectl proxy provides secure local access. Deleting the dashboard or restricting its service is recommended.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the misconception that adding authentication or network restrictions is sufficient to secure an exposed dashboard, when the correct answer is to remove the public-facing component and use a secure, authenticated proxy method like `kubectl proxy`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `kubectl proxy` command creates a local HTTP proxy between your workstation and the Kubernetes API server, using the client's kubeconfig credentials for authentication. This means all requests to the dashboard are tunneled through the API server, which enforces RBAC policies and audit logging. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured Ingress controller or a LoadBalancer service with an external IP is often the root cause of public exposure, and simply deleting the dashboard deployment removes the vulnerable component entirely.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: Delete the dashboard deployment and use kubectl proxy to access it — The Kubernetes Dashboard is a powerful administrative tool that should never be exposed to the public internet. Deleting the dashboard deployment and using `kubectl proxy` to access it locally is the recommended action because it eliminates the attack surface entirely and ensures that access is restricted to the machine running the kubectl command, leveraging the API server's built-in authentication and authorization.
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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