- A
Kubernetes Secret
Why wrong: Secrets store sensitive data, not security policies.
- B
PodDisruptionBudget
Why wrong: PodDisruptionBudget controls voluntary disruptions, not security.
- C
OPA Gatekeeper
OPA Gatekeeper is an admission webhook that enforces policies, including security policies.
- D
NetworkPolicy
Why wrong: NetworkPolicy controls network traffic, not pod security.
Question 730 of 997
Admission Control with OPA Gatekeeper for Security Policies | Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist Explained
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of minimize microservice vulnerabilities. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
You need to enforce that no pod runs with privileged containers or runs as root. Which tool can define policies that block such pods at admission time?
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
✓
OPA Gatekeeper
OPA Gatekeeper is a Kubernetes admission controller that enforces custom policies defined via the Constraint Framework (CF). It can reject pods that request privileged containers or run as root by evaluating constraints against the PodSecurityPolicy-like rules expressed in Rego, blocking them before they are persisted in etcd.
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.
- ✗
Kubernetes Secret
Why it's wrong here
Secrets store sensitive data, not security policies.
- ✗
PodDisruptionBudget
Why it's wrong here
PodDisruptionBudget controls voluntary disruptions, not security.
- ✓
OPA Gatekeeper
Why this is correct
OPA Gatekeeper is an admission webhook that enforces policies, including security policies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
NetworkPolicy
Why it's wrong here
NetworkPolicy controls network traffic, not pod security.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common mistake is confusing runtime enforcement (e.g., AppArmor, seccomp) with admission-time enforcement (e.g., OPA Gatekeeper, PodSecurity Admission). Candidates often choose NetworkPolicy because it 'blocks' something, but it blocks network traffic, not pod creation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OPA Gatekeeper works as a validating admission webhook that intercepts API server requests and evaluates them against Rego policies. Under the hood, it uses the `kube-mgmt` sidecar to sync Kubernetes resources into OPA's data cache, enabling policies that reference cluster state (e.g., namespaces, service accounts). A real-world scenario: a team might define a constraint that requires `securityContext.privileged: false` and `runAsNonRoot: true` for all pods, preventing developers from accidentally deploying containers with elevated privileges.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — study guide chapter
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Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — This question tests Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: OPA Gatekeeper — OPA Gatekeeper is a Kubernetes admission controller that enforces custom policies defined via the Constraint Framework (CF). It can reject pods that request privileged containers or run as root by evaluating constraints against the PodSecurityPolicy-like rules expressed in Rego, blocking them before they are persisted in etcd.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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