- A
PeerAuthentication with mode: STRICT
STRICT enforces mTLS for all traffic.
- B
DestinationRule with tls: ISTIO_MUTUAL
Why wrong: DestinationRule sets traffic policies for client-side mTLS, but does not enforce peer authentication.
- C
PeerAuthentication with mode: DISABLE
Why wrong: Disables mTLS.
- D
PeerAuthentication with mode: PERMISSIVE
Why wrong: PERMISSIVE allows both plaintext and mTLS, not strict mTLS.
Question 593 of 997
How to Enforce Mutual TLS in an Istio Mesh
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.
You need to ensure that all pods in a namespace can only communicate via mTLS. In Istio, which resource should you apply?
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
✓
PeerAuthentication with mode: STRICT
PeerAuthentication with mode: STRICT is the correct resource to enforce mTLS for all pods in a namespace. It configures the Istio sidecar proxy to require mutual TLS for all inbound and outbound traffic within the mesh, rejecting any plaintext connections. This ensures that all inter-pod communication is encrypted and authenticated using X.509 certificates, aligning with the goal of minimizing microservice vulnerabilities.
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.
- ✓
PeerAuthentication with mode: STRICT
Why this is correct
STRICT enforces mTLS for all traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DestinationRule with tls: ISTIO_MUTUAL
Why it's wrong here
DestinationRule sets traffic policies for client-side mTLS, but does not enforce peer authentication.
- ✗
PeerAuthentication with mode: DISABLE
Why it's wrong here
Disables mTLS.
- ✗
PeerAuthentication with mode: PERMISSIVE
Why it's wrong here
PERMISSIVE allows both plaintext and mTLS, not strict mTLS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In the CKS exam, candidates often confuse PeerAuthentication (which enforces mTLS at the server side) and DestinationRule (which configures client-side TLS settings), leading to mistakenly choosing DestinationRule when the question asks for enforcing mTLS across all pods.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, PeerAuthentication defines a namespace-level or mesh-wide policy that the Istio proxy (Envoy) enforces via the mTLS settings in the TLS context. When set to STRICT, the proxy rejects any inbound connection that does not present a valid client certificate from the Istio CA (Citadel), effectively blocking non-mTLS traffic. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for compliance with security standards like PCI-DSS or HIPAA, where all inter-service communication must be encrypted and authenticated, and misconfiguration can lead to service outages if legacy clients are not updated.
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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Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — study guide chapter
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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: PeerAuthentication with mode: STRICT — PeerAuthentication with mode: STRICT is the correct resource to enforce mTLS for all pods in a namespace. It configures the Istio sidecar proxy to require mutual TLS for all inbound and outbound traffic within the mesh, rejecting any plaintext connections. This ensures that all inter-pod communication is encrypted and authenticated using X.509 certificates, aligning with the goal of minimizing microservice vulnerabilities.
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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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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