- A
Helm
Why wrong: Helm is a package manager; it does not enforce admission policies.
- B
Kube-bench
Why wrong: Kube-bench checks cluster compliance with CIS benchmarks; it does not enforce image signatures.
- C
Prometheus
Why wrong: Prometheus is a monitoring tool, not an admission controller.
- D
Kyverno with a verifyImages rule
Kyverno can be configured to verify container image signatures using cosign.
Question 777 of 997
Enforce Signed Images — Kyverno with verifyImages
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of supply chain security. 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.
An administrator wants to enforce that only images signed by a trusted key can run in the cluster. They have configured cosign and want to use a Kubernetes admission controller. Which tool should they deploy?
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
✓
Kyverno with a verifyImages rule
Kyverno is a Kubernetes-native policy engine that can enforce admission controls via policies. Its `verifyImages` rule uses Cosign to check that container images are signed with a trusted public key before allowing them to run, making it the correct tool for this use case.
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.
- ✗
Helm
Why it's wrong here
Helm is a package manager; it does not enforce admission policies.
- ✗
Kube-bench
Why it's wrong here
Kube-bench checks cluster compliance with CIS benchmarks; it does not enforce image signatures.
- ✗
Prometheus
Why it's wrong here
Prometheus is a monitoring tool, not an admission controller.
- ✓
Kyverno with a verifyImages rule
Why this is correct
Kyverno can be configured to verify container image signatures using cosign.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse tools like Helm or Prometheus with admission controllers, but only Kyverno (or OPA/Gatekeeper with custom rules) can enforce image signature verification via Cosign at the admission webhook level.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Kyverno's `verifyImages` rule works as a mutating or validating webhook that intercepts Pod creation requests. It uses Cosign's public key to verify the image signature against the image's manifest digest, ensuring only signed images from trusted publishers are admitted. In a real-world scenario, if an unsigned image is pushed to a registry, Kyverno will reject the Pod creation with a clear error message, preventing supply chain attacks.
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
- →
All CKS questions
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- →
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study 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: Kyverno with a verifyImages rule — Kyverno is a Kubernetes-native policy engine that can enforce admission controls via policies. Its `verifyImages` rule uses Cosign to check that container images are signed with a trusted public key before allowing them to run, making it the correct tool for this use case.
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
1 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 ensure that only signed container images are deployed in the cluster. Which admission controller can be used to enforce this policy?
medium- A.ServiceAccount
- B.AlwaysPullImages
- ✓ C.ImagePolicyWebhook
- D.NodeRestriction
Why C: The ImagePolicyWebhook admission controller allows a cluster to enforce a policy that only signed container images are deployed by intercepting image creation requests and validating them against an external webhook. This webhook can check image signatures (e.g., using Notary or Cosign) before admitting the pod, making it the correct choice for enforcing signed image policies.
Keep practising
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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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