- A
Enable audit logging
CIS recommends enabling audit logging.
- B
Use TokenReview API for authentication
Why wrong: Not a CIS recommendation.
- C
Disable anonymous authentication
CIS recommends --anonymous-auth=false.
- D
Set --protect-kernel-defaults=false on kubelet
Why wrong: CIS recommends setting it to true.
- E
Enable the insecure port for kubelet
Why wrong: Insecure port should be disabled.
Question 975 of 997
CIS Benchmark Kubelet Recommendations
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.
Which TWO of the following are recommendations from the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark?
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
✓
Enable audit logging
The CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends enabling audit logging to record all API server requests, which is essential for security monitoring and forensic analysis. It also recommends disabling anonymous authentication to ensure that all requests are authenticated, preventing unauthenticated access to the cluster.
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 audit logging
Why this is correct
CIS recommends enabling audit logging.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use TokenReview API for authentication
Why it's wrong here
Not a CIS recommendation.
- ✓
Disable anonymous authentication
Why this is correct
CIS recommends --anonymous-auth=false.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set --protect-kernel-defaults=false on kubelet
Why it's wrong here
CIS recommends setting it to true.
- ✗
Enable the insecure port for kubelet
Why it's wrong here
Insecure port should be disabled.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the exact wording of CIS Benchmark recommendations, so candidates may confuse 'disable anonymous authentication' with 'disable authentication entirely' or mistakenly think the TokenReview API is a benchmark recommendation when it is just a standard API object.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Audit logging in Kubernetes uses a policy file to define which events (e.g., RequestResponse, Metadata) are logged at various stages (RequestReceived, ResponseComplete). Disabling anonymous authentication is enforced by setting --anonymous-auth=false on the API server, which rejects requests without a valid identity; this is critical because anonymous users can otherwise access resources if RBAC allows it. The CIS Benchmark also recommends using NodeRestriction admission controller and ensuring kubelet uses TLS bootstrap to prevent unauthorized node registration.
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.
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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Cluster Setup and Hardening — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
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: Enable audit logging — The CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends enabling audit logging to record all API server requests, which is essential for security monitoring and forensic analysis. It also recommends disabling anonymous authentication to ensure that all requests are authenticated, preventing unauthenticated access to the cluster.
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.
About these practice questions
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on CKS
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which of the following is a recommended setting from the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark for the kubelet?
easy- A.--authorization-mode=AlwaysAllow
- B.--anonymous-auth=true
- ✓ C.--anonymous-auth=false
- D.--read-only-port=10255
Why C: The CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends disabling anonymous authentication on the kubelet to ensure that all requests are authenticated. Setting `--anonymous-auth=false` forces the kubelet to reject requests from unauthenticated users, reducing the attack surface and preventing unauthorized access to the kubelet API.
Variation 2. Which of the following is a recommended CIS benchmark setting for the kubelet?
easy- A.--anonymous-auth=true
- ✓ B.--anonymous-auth=false
- C.--protect-kernel-defaults=false
- D.--read-only-port=10255
Why B: The CIS benchmark for Kubernetes recommends disabling anonymous authentication on the kubelet to ensure that all requests to the kubelet API are authenticated. Setting `--anonymous-auth=false` forces the kubelet to reject requests from unauthenticated users, preventing potential unauthorized access to node-level operations such as pod logs, exec, and port-forwarding.
Keep practising
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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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