This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. 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.
During a security audit, you run kube-bench and find that the API server audit logging is not enabled. Which set of flags should be added to the kube-apiserver to enable audit logging with a policy file located at /etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml?
Option A is correct because enabling audit logging in kube-apiserver requires both `--audit-log-path` to specify the output file and `--audit-policy-file` to define the audit policy rules. Without the policy file, the API server will not know which events to log, and without the log path, no audit logs will be written.
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.
The flag for the policy file is --audit-policy-file, not --audit-webhook-config-file.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `--audit-policy-file` with `--audit-webhook-config-file` or assume that providing only the log path or only the policy file is sufficient, when both are required for local audit logging to function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The kube-apiserver audit system uses a policy file in YAML format to define stages (RequestReceived, ResponseStarted, ResponseComplete, Panic) and levels (None, Metadata, Request, RequestResponse). The `--audit-log-path` flag triggers the log backend, while `--audit-policy-file` must point to a valid policy; if the policy file is missing or invalid, the API server will fail to start. In production, you typically also set `--audit-log-maxage`, `--audit-log-maxbackup`, and `--audit-log-maxsize` to manage log rotation and retention.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
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: --audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log --audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml — Option A is correct because enabling audit logging in kube-apiserver requires both `--audit-log-path` to specify the output file and `--audit-policy-file` to define the audit policy rules. Without the policy file, the API server will not know which events to log, and without the log path, no audit logs will be written.
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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Question Discussion
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