- A
--audit-webhook-config-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-webhook.yaml
Why wrong: This is for webhook auditing, not policy file.
- B
--audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
Correct: This flag specifies the audit policy file.
- C
--audit-log-path=/var/log/audit.log
Why wrong: This flag sets the log file path, not the policy.
- D
--authorization-mode=RBAC
Why wrong: This is for authorization, not audit.
Question 356 of 997
Enabling Kubernetes Audit Logging with --audit-policy-file
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging and runtime 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.
You need to enable audit logging for the Kubernetes API server to capture all requests at the RequestResponse level. Which flag should you add to the kube-apiserver configuration?
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-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
The correct answer is B: --audit-policy-file. This flag specifies the path to the audit policy file, which defines the rules for auditing. The other options are incorrect: --audit-log-path only sets the log file location, not the audit level; --audit-webhook-config-file is for sending audit events to a webhook; and --authorization-mode controls RBAC, not audit logging. To capture requests at RequestResponse level, the audit policy must specify that level, and the --audit-policy-file flag is required.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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-webhook-config-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-webhook.yaml
Why it's wrong here
This is for webhook auditing, not policy file.
- ✓
--audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
Why this is correct
Correct: This flag specifies the audit policy file.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
--audit-log-path=/var/log/audit.log
Why it's wrong here
This flag sets the log file path, not the policy.
- ✗
--authorization-mode=RBAC
Why it's wrong here
This is for authorization, not audit.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CKS questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — 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?
Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — This question tests Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: --audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml — The correct answer is B: --audit-policy-file. This flag specifies the path to the audit policy file, which defines the rules for auditing. The other options are incorrect: --audit-log-path only sets the log file location, not the audit level; --audit-webhook-config-file is for sending audit events to a webhook; and --authorization-mode controls RBAC, not audit logging. To capture requests at RequestResponse level, the audit policy must specify that level, and the --audit-policy-file flag is required.
What should I do if I get this CKS question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CKS questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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
4 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 configure the Kubernetes API server to enable audit logging at the 'Metadata' level for all requests. Which flag should be used when starting the kube-apiserver?
easy- A.--feature-gates=Auditing=true
- B.--audit-log-path=/var/log/audit.log
- ✓ C.--audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
- D.--audit-log-maxsize=100
Why C: Audit logging is enabled by specifying --audit-policy-file pointing to a policy file. The policy file defines the level. The flag itself is --audit-policy-file.
Variation 2. You need to configure audit logging for the Kubernetes API server to log all requests at the Metadata level. Which flag and value should you set in the kube-apiserver configuration?
medium- ✓ A.--audit-policy-file=/etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml
- B.--audit-webhook-config=/etc/kubernetes/audit-webhook.yaml
- C.--audit-log-path=/var/log/audit.log
- D.--audit-log-format=json
Why A: Option A is correct because the `--audit-policy-file` flag is required to define an audit policy that specifies what level of logging (e.g., Metadata, Request, RequestResponse) should be applied to different stages and resources. Without this flag, the API server will not load any audit policy, and no audit events will be logged, regardless of other audit flags. Setting the policy file to contain a rule with `level: Metadata` enables logging of request metadata (user, resource, verb) for all requests.
Variation 3. Which Kubernetes resource is used to define audit logging configuration?
easy- ✓ A.A YAML file specified via `--audit-policy-file`
- B.PodSecurityPolicy
- C.ConfigMap in kube-system
- D.AuditPolicy CRD
Why A: The correct answer is A because Kubernetes audit logging configuration is defined in a YAML file that specifies the audit policy rules, and this file is passed to the kube-apiserver via the `--audit-policy-file` command-line flag. This YAML file defines which events (e.g., requests to the API server) should be logged and at what level (e.g., Metadata, Request, RequestResponse). No other Kubernetes resource or CRD is used for this purpose.
Variation 4. Which THREE of the following are required components to enable audit logging in Kubernetes? (Select three.)
hard- ✓ A.The --audit-policy-file flag on kube-apiserver
- ✓ B.The --audit-log-path flag on kube-apiserver
- ✓ C.An audit policy YAML file
- D.The --audit-dynamic-configuration flag
- E.An audit webhook backend
Why A: Option A is correct because the `--audit-policy-file` flag on the kube-apiserver is required to define which events should be recorded and how they should be processed. Without this flag, no audit policy is loaded, and the apiserver will not perform any audit logging, even if other audit flags are set. B: other...
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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