- A
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log --audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
These flags enable audit logging to the specified file and use the policy file to control what is logged.
- B
--audit-log-maxage=30 --audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
Why wrong: Missing --audit-log-path; the log path must be specified.
- C
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log --audit-log-maxbackup=10
Why wrong: Missing --audit-policy-file; without a policy file, audit logging may not work as expected.
- D
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log --audit-webhook-config-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
Why wrong: The flag for the policy file is --audit-policy-file, not --audit-webhook-config-file.
Question 316 of 997
Enable Audit Logging in Kube-API Server for Security Monitoring
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?
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
✓
--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.
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.
- ✓
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log --audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
Why this is correct
These flags enable audit logging to the specified file and use the policy file to control what is logged.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
--audit-log-maxage=30 --audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
Why it's wrong here
Missing --audit-log-path; the log path must be specified.
- ✗
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log --audit-log-maxbackup=10
Why it's wrong here
Missing --audit-policy-file; without a policy file, audit logging may not work as expected.
- ✗
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log --audit-webhook-config-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
Why it's wrong 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 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.
- →
Cluster Setup and Hardening — 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?
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.
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
5 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. You need to audit all API requests to the cluster. Which set of apiserver flags should be configured?
medium- ✓ A.--audit-log-path, --audit-policy-file
- B.--audit-log-maxage, --audit-log-maxbackup
- C.--audit-webhook-config-file, --audit-webhook-mode
- D.--audit-dynamic-configuration
Why A: To audit all API requests to the cluster, you must enable the audit logging feature in the kube-apiserver. The two essential flags are `--audit-log-path` to specify the file where audit events are written and `--audit-policy-file` to define the rules that determine which events are logged. Without both, the apiserver will not generate audit logs at all.
Variation 2. Which kube-apiserver flag enables audit logging?
easy- ✓ A.--audit-log-path
- B.--audit-log-dir
- C.--enable-audit
- D.--audit-policy-file
Why A: The `--audit-log-path` flag is the correct kube-apiserver flag to enable audit logging because it specifies the file path where audit logs are written. When this flag is set, the API server starts recording audit events to the designated file, effectively enabling the audit logging feature. Without this flag, audit logging is disabled by default, even if other audit-related flags like `--audit-policy-file` are provided.
Variation 3. What is the purpose of the --audit-policy-file flag on the kube-apiserver?
easy- A.To specify the location of the audit log file
- B.To enable audit logging
- ✓ C.To specify the audit policy configuration
- D.To configure the retention of audit logs
Why C: The `--audit-policy-file` flag on the kube-apiserver specifies the path to a YAML or JSON file that defines the audit policy configuration. This policy determines which events (e.g., requests to the API server) should be logged and at what level (e.g., Metadata, Request, RequestResponse). It does not directly enable audit logging or set the log file location; it only provides the rules for filtering and structuring audit events.
Variation 4. What is the purpose of the --audit-log-path flag on the kube-apiserver?
easy- A.It sets the maximum number of audit log files to retain.
- B.It disables audit logging.
- ✓ C.It enables audit logging and sets the output file path.
- D.It specifies the path to the audit policy file.
Why C: The `--audit-log-path` flag on the kube-apiserver enables audit logging and specifies the file path where audit events are written. Without this flag, audit logging is disabled by default. Setting this flag is the first step to capturing API request logs for security monitoring and compliance.
Variation 5. A security auditor recommends enabling audit logging for the Kubernetes API server with a policy that logs all requests at the Metadata level. Which configuration ensures this requirement?
hard- A.Enable the 'Audit' admission plugin
- B.Set --audit-log-level=Metadata
- C.Use --audit-log-maxage=30 to retain logs
- ✓ D.Create an audit policy file with 'level: Metadata' for all resources and pass it via --audit-policy-file
Why D: Option D is correct because Kubernetes audit logging requires an audit policy file that defines the log level for different request stages and resources. The requirement to log all requests at the Metadata level is achieved by creating a policy file with `level: Metadata` for all resources (or a catch-all rule) and passing it to the API server via the `--audit-policy-file` flag. The audit policy file is the only mechanism to specify the log level (None, Metadata, Request, RequestResponse) per resource or stage.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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