- A
Create a new PodSecurityPolicy that allows the gVisor runtime
Why wrong: PodSecurityPolicy does not control runtime selection.
- B
Create a custom resource definition for the runtime
Why wrong: RuntimeClass is a built-in Kubernetes resource, not a custom one.
- C
Create a RuntimeClass resource that specifies the gVisor runtime handler
The RuntimeClass resource defines the runtime handler (e.g., runsc) that gVisor uses.
- D
Add a `runtimeClass` field to the pod spec
Why wrong: The pod spec references a RuntimeClass object by name, but the RuntimeClass object must exist first.
Question 81 of 997
Enable gVisor Container Sandbox with RuntimeClass
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 run some workloads in a sandboxed environment using gVisor. Which Kubernetes resource must be created first to allow pods to request the gVisor runtime?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
Create a RuntimeClass resource that specifies the gVisor runtime handler
C is correct because in Kubernetes, a RuntimeClass resource must be created to define a container runtime configuration, such as gVisor. This resource specifies a runtime handler (e.g., 'runsc') that the container runtime uses to run pods in a sandboxed environment. Pods can then reference this RuntimeClass via the `runtimeClassName` field in their spec to request the gVisor runtime.
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.
- ✗
Create a new PodSecurityPolicy that allows the gVisor runtime
Why it's wrong here
PodSecurityPolicy does not control runtime selection.
- ✗
Create a custom resource definition for the runtime
Why it's wrong here
RuntimeClass is a built-in Kubernetes resource, not a custom one.
- ✓
Create a RuntimeClass resource that specifies the gVisor runtime handler
Why this is correct
The RuntimeClass resource defines the runtime handler (e.g., runsc) that gVisor uses.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add a `runtimeClass` field to the pod spec
Why it's wrong here
The pod spec references a RuntimeClass object by name, but the RuntimeClass object must exist first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Kubernetes often tests the distinction between creating a resource (RuntimeClass) versus referencing it in a pod spec, so candidates mistakenly think adding the `runtimeClass` field directly to the pod is sufficient without first creating the RuntimeClass object.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The RuntimeClass resource defines a `handler` field that maps to a runtime name (e.g., 'runsc' for gVisor, 'kata' for Kata Containers). The kubelet uses this handler to select the appropriate container runtime via the CRI (Container Runtime Interface). In practice, the gVisor runtime must be installed on each node (e.g., via containerd configuration), and the RuntimeClass acts as the bridge between the pod spec and the node's runtime configuration.
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.
- →
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the 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: Create a RuntimeClass resource that specifies the gVisor runtime handler — C is correct because in Kubernetes, a RuntimeClass resource must be created to define a container runtime configuration, such as gVisor. This resource specifies a runtime handler (e.g., 'runsc') that the container runtime uses to run pods in a sandboxed environment. Pods can then reference this RuntimeClass via the `runtimeClassName` field in their spec to request the gVisor runtime.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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. An administrator wants to use gVisor to sandbox containers in a Kubernetes cluster. Which resource must be created to enable this?
medium- ✓ A.RuntimeClass with handler: runsc
- B.DaemonSet to install gVisor on nodes
- C.PodSecurityPolicy with gVisor enabled
- D.SecurityContext with runtime: gvisor
Why A: To use gVisor as a container runtime sandbox in Kubernetes, you must create a RuntimeClass resource with the handler set to 'runsc'. This tells the kubelet which runtime handler to use when running pods that reference this RuntimeClass, enabling gVisor's user-space kernel (runsc) to intercept and sandbox system calls.
Variation 2. A cluster administrator needs to run a workload that uses gVisor (runsc) for container sandboxing. Which Kubernetes resource is required to enable this?
medium- ✓ A.RuntimeClass [CORRECT]
- B.PriorityClass [wrong]
- C.NetworkPolicy [wrong]
- D.PodSecurityPolicy [wrong]
Why A: A RuntimeClass resource is required to enable gVisor (runsc) because it defines the container runtime configuration that should be used for pods. By creating a RuntimeClass with the handler set to 'runsc', the cluster administrator can instruct the kubelet to use gVisor as the OCI-compatible runtime for sandboxing, providing an additional security layer through a user-space kernel.
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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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