- A
Cosign
Cosign supports signing and verification of container images.
- B
Trivy
Why wrong: Trivy is a vulnerability scanner, not a signing tool.
- C
kubesec
Why wrong: kubesec analyzes Kubernetes manifests for security issues.
- D
Syft
Why wrong: Syft generates SBOMs, not signatures.
- E
Notary
Notary is a framework for signing and verifying content.
Question 208 of 997
Cosign and Notary: Container Image Signing and Verification Tools
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of supply chain security. 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 tools for image signing and verification? (Select TWO)
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
✓
Cosign
Cosign is correct because it is a tool specifically designed for container image signing and verification, leveraging Sigstore's keyless signing capabilities and integration with OCI registries. It enables developers to sign images using ephemeral keys and verify signatures against transparency logs, ensuring supply chain integrity.
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.
- ✓
Cosign
Why this is correct
Cosign supports signing and verification of container images.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Trivy
Why it's wrong here
Trivy is a vulnerability scanner, not a signing tool.
- ✗
kubesec
Why it's wrong here
kubesec analyzes Kubernetes manifests for security issues.
- ✗
Syft
Why it's wrong here
Syft generates SBOMs, not signatures.
- ✓
Notary
Why this is correct
Notary is a framework for signing and verifying content.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The CKS exam often tests the distinction between tools that perform signing/verification versus those that scan for vulnerabilities or generate SBOMs, leading candidates to confuse Trivy or Syft with signing tools.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cosign uses Sigstore's Fulcio certificate authority to issue short-lived certificates tied to OIDC identities, enabling keyless signing without managing long-term private keys. Verification checks the signature against Rekor's transparency log, ensuring the signing event is publicly auditable and tamper-proof. Notary, part of the TUF (The Update Framework) project, provides a framework for signing and verifying metadata about container images, often used with Docker Content Trust to enforce signature validation during pulls.
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.
- →
Supply Chain Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Supply Chain Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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All CKS questions
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Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study guide
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CKS practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
Supply Chain Security — This question tests Supply Chain Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cosign — Cosign is correct because it is a tool specifically designed for container image signing and verification, leveraging Sigstore's keyless signing capabilities and integration with OCI registries. It enables developers to sign images using ephemeral keys and verify signatures against transparency logs, ensuring supply chain integrity.
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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