- A
capabilities: add: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Correct. Adding NET_ADMIN directly is allowed under the baseline PSS.
- B
linuxCapabilities: add: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Why wrong: Incorrect. The correct field name is 'capabilities', not 'linuxCapabilities'.
- C
capabilities: drop: ["ALL"] add: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Correct. Dropping all capabilities and then adding NET_ADMIN is also compliant under the baseline PSS.
- D
capabilities: drop: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Why wrong: Incorrect. Dropping NET_ADMIN would remove the required capability.
Question 212 of 997
Adding Capabilities Under Baseline Pod Security Standard
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of system 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. A key principle to apply: pod Security Standards (PSS). 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 container needs to run with the NET_ADMIN capability to modify network settings. The cluster enforces the baseline Pod Security Standard. Which securityContext configuration should be used?
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
✓
capabilities: add: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Under the baseline Pod Security Standard (PSS), both options A and C are valid because the baseline profile permits adding specific capabilities like NET_ADMIN. Option A directly adds NET_ADMIN to the container's capabilities. Option C drops all capabilities first and then adds NET_ADMIN, which is also compliant because dropping all is allowed under baseline, and then adding NET_ADMIN is permitted. Option B uses an invalid field name (linuxCapabilities should be capabilities). Option D drops NET_ADMIN, which would remove the required capability.
Key principle: Pod Security Standards (PSS)
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
capabilities: add: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Why this is correct
Correct. Adding NET_ADMIN directly is allowed under the baseline PSS.
Related concept
Pod Security Standards (PSS)
- ✗
linuxCapabilities: add: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The correct field name is 'capabilities', not 'linuxCapabilities'.
- ✓
capabilities: drop: ["ALL"] add: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Why this is correct
Correct. Dropping all capabilities and then adding NET_ADMIN is also compliant under the baseline PSS.
Related concept
Pod Security Standards (PSS)
- ✗
capabilities: drop: ["NET_ADMIN"]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Dropping NET_ADMIN would remove the required capability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often assume that dropping all capabilities is required (as in the restricted profile) even when the baseline profile is in effect. Both option A and C are valid under baseline; the trap is thinking only one is correct.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the baseline Pod Security Standard (PSS) is implemented via an admission controller that checks the pod's security context against a set of allowed fields and values. The `capabilities.add` field is explicitly allowed in the baseline profile, but only for capabilities not in the restricted list (e.g., CAP_NET_ADMIN is allowed). In contrast, the restricted PSS would require dropping all capabilities and adding only those needed, but the baseline profile is more permissive. A real-world scenario is a network plugin or monitoring agent that needs NET_ADMIN to modify iptables rules; using `capabilities.add: ["NET_ADMIN"]` satisfies both the requirement and the baseline policy without overcomplicating the configuration.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Pod Security Standards (PSS)
- capabilities.add
- capabilities.drop
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
Pod Security Standards (PSS)
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review pod Security Standards (PSS), then practise related CKS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
System Hardening — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
System Hardening — This question tests System Hardening — Pod Security Standards (PSS).
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: capabilities: add: ["NET_ADMIN"] — Under the baseline Pod Security Standard (PSS), both options A and C are valid because the baseline profile permits adding specific capabilities like NET_ADMIN. Option A directly adds NET_ADMIN to the container's capabilities. Option C drops all capabilities first and then adds NET_ADMIN, which is also compliant because dropping all is allowed under baseline, and then adding NET_ADMIN is permitted. Option B uses an invalid field name (linuxCapabilities should be capabilities). Option D drops NET_ADMIN, which would remove the required capability.
What should I do if I get this CKS question wrong?
Review pod Security Standards (PSS), then practise related CKS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Pod Security Standards (PSS)
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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.
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