- A
Using Pod Security Policy (PSP) if still available in the cluster
Why wrong: PSP is deprecated but still functional in older clusters.
- B
Using a mutating webhook to apply security contexts
Why wrong: Mutating webhooks can modify pods to meet security standards.
- C
Using OPA/Gatekeeper with the built-in PSS templates
OPA/Gatekeeper does not include built-in PSS templates; you must write custom Rego policies.
- D
Using Pod Security Admission (PSA) with labels on namespaces
Why wrong: PSA is a built-in admission controller that enforces PSS.
Question 761 of 997
Which Method is NOT Valid to Enforce Pod Security Standards?
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of minimize microservice vulnerabilities. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which of the following is NOT a valid method to enforce pod security standards in a Kubernetes cluster?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"NOT"Why it matters: Negative qualifier — you are looking for the one option that does NOT apply. Most options will be true; only one is false for this scenario.
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
✓
Using OPA/Gatekeeper with the built-in PSS templates
Option C is correct because OPA/Gatekeeper does not have built-in Pod Security Standards (PSS) templates; it enforces custom policies defined in Rego, not the predefined PSS profiles (privileged, baseline, restricted). While Gatekeeper can be used to implement PSS-like controls, it requires writing custom constraint templates, whereas the built-in PSS templates are a feature of Pod Security Admission (PSA), not OPA/Gatekeeper. Therefore, stating that OPA/Gatekeeper uses 'built-in PSS templates' is incorrect.
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.
- ✗
Using Pod Security Policy (PSP) if still available in the cluster
Why it's wrong here
PSP is deprecated but still functional in older clusters.
- ✗
Using a mutating webhook to apply security contexts
Why it's wrong here
Mutating webhooks can modify pods to meet security standards.
- ✓
Using OPA/Gatekeeper with the built-in PSS templates
Why this is correct
OPA/Gatekeeper does not include built-in PSS templates; you must write custom Rego policies.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "NOT" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Using Pod Security Admission (PSA) with labels on namespaces
Why it's wrong here
PSA is a built-in admission controller that enforces PSS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception in the CKS exam is that OPA/Gatekeeper includes built-in Pod Security Standards templates, but those templates are exclusive to Pod Security Admission (PSA). Gatekeeper requires custom Rego policies to enforce similar controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pod Security Admission (PSA) works as an admission controller that evaluates pods against the configured PSS profile based on namespace labels, using a built-in set of checks without requiring external webhooks. OPA/Gatekeeper, on the other hand, is a general-purpose policy engine that requires custom Rego policies to replicate PSS checks, and it does not ship with pre-built PSS templates—those must be created manually or sourced from the Gatekeeper library. A real-world scenario where this distinction matters is when a team mistakenly assumes Gatekeeper can enforce PSS out-of-the-box, leading to gaps in security posture until custom policies are written.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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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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: Using OPA/Gatekeeper with the built-in PSS templates — Option C is correct because OPA/Gatekeeper does not have built-in Pod Security Standards (PSS) templates; it enforces custom policies defined in Rego, not the predefined PSS profiles (privileged, baseline, restricted). While Gatekeeper can be used to implement PSS-like controls, it requires writing custom constraint templates, whereas the built-in PSS templates are a feature of Pod Security Admission (PSA), not OPA/Gatekeeper. Therefore, stating that OPA/Gatekeeper uses 'built-in PSS templates' is incorrect.
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: "NOT". Negative qualifier — you are looking for the one option that does NOT apply. Most options will be true; only one is false for this scenario.
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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