- A
Enable etcd encryption by setting --experimental-encryption-provider-config
Why wrong: The correct flag is --encryption-provider-config (not experimental).
- B
Use Secret resource's 'data' field with base64 encoding
Why wrong: Base64 is encoding, not encryption.
- C
Set --encryption-provider-config flag to a file containing EncryptionConfiguration with 'aescbc' provider
Correct. This enables AES-CBC encryption at rest.
- D
Set --encryption-provider-config flag to a file containing EncryptionConfiguration with 'identity' provider
Why wrong: Identity provider does not encrypt data.
Question 819 of 997
AES-CBC Encryption at Rest with EncryptionConfiguration
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of minimize microservice vulnerabilities. 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 cluster administrator wants to ensure that all Secrets are encrypted at rest using AES-CBC with a key managed by the local Kubernetes API server. Which configuration is required?
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
✓
Set --encryption-provider-config flag to a file containing EncryptionConfiguration with 'aescbc' provider
Option C is correct because the `--encryption-provider-config` flag on the kube-apiserver points to a YAML file containing an `EncryptionConfiguration` resource. Within that configuration, specifying the `aescbc` provider enables AES-CBC encryption for Secrets at rest, with the encryption key managed locally by the API server. This is the only option that satisfies the requirement for AES-CBC encryption with a locally managed key.
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.
- ✗
Enable etcd encryption by setting --experimental-encryption-provider-config
Why it's wrong here
The correct flag is --encryption-provider-config (not experimental).
- ✗
Use Secret resource's 'data' field with base64 encoding
Why it's wrong here
Base64 is encoding, not encryption.
- ✓
Set --encryption-provider-config flag to a file containing EncryptionConfiguration with 'aescbc' provider
Why this is correct
Correct. This enables AES-CBC encryption at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set --encryption-provider-config flag to a file containing EncryptionConfiguration with 'identity' provider
Why it's wrong here
Identity provider does not encrypt data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap in Kubernetes exams is confusing the deprecated `--experimental-encryption-provider-config` flag with the current `--encryption-provider-config` flag. Also, remember that base64 encoding is not encryption; it only obfuscates data.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `EncryptionConfiguration` resource defines a list of providers (e.g., `aescbc`, `secretbox`, `kms`) applied in order; the first provider in the list is used for encryption, while all listed providers are tried for decryption. AES-CBC uses a 32-byte key (for AES-256) stored in the configuration file, which the API server loads into memory—if the key file is compromised, all encrypted data can be decrypted. In production, a KMS provider is recommended to avoid storing keys on disk, but the question explicitly requires a locally managed key.
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.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
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.
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Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — study guide chapter
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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: Set --encryption-provider-config flag to a file containing EncryptionConfiguration with 'aescbc' provider — Option C is correct because the `--encryption-provider-config` flag on the kube-apiserver points to a YAML file containing an `EncryptionConfiguration` resource. Within that configuration, specifying the `aescbc` provider enables AES-CBC encryption for Secrets at rest, with the encryption key managed locally by the API server. This is the only option that satisfies the requirement for AES-CBC encryption with a locally managed key.
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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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 →
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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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