- A
Run containers as root to avoid permission issues
Why wrong: Running as root increases security risks; non-root users are preferred.
- B
Sign container images and verify signatures in the CI/CD pipeline
Signing ensures image integrity and authenticity.
- C
Use admission controllers like OPA/Gatekeeper to enforce image policies
Admission controllers can enforce policies such as allowed registries or required signatures.
- D
Use mutable tags like 'latest' for easier updates
Why wrong: Mutable tags can lead to unexpected changes; immutable tags or digests are recommended.
- E
Scan container images for known vulnerabilities before deployment
Vulnerability scanning helps identify and mitigate security issues in images.
Question 220 of 997
Kubernetes Supply Chain Security Best Practices
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of supply chain security. 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 THREE of the following are best practices for securing the software supply chain in Kubernetes?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Sign container images and verify signatures in the CI/CD pipeline
Option B is correct because signing container images with tools like Cosign or Notary and verifying those signatures in the CI/CD pipeline ensures image integrity and authenticity. This prevents tampered or unauthorized images from being deployed, which is a core supply chain security practice in Kubernetes.
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.
- ✗
Run containers as root to avoid permission issues
Why it's wrong here
Running as root increases security risks; non-root users are preferred.
- ✓
Sign container images and verify signatures in the CI/CD pipeline
Why this is correct
Signing ensures image integrity and authenticity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use admission controllers like OPA/Gatekeeper to enforce image policies
Why this is correct
Admission controllers can enforce policies such as allowed registries or required signatures.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use mutable tags like 'latest' for easier updates
Why it's wrong here
Mutable tags can lead to unexpected changes; immutable tags or digests are recommended.
- ✓
Scan container images for known vulnerabilities before deployment
Why this is correct
Vulnerability scanning helps identify and mitigate security issues in images.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The CNCF CKS exam often tests the misconception that running containers as root is acceptable for 'simplicity' or that mutable tags are harmless, but both directly undermine supply chain security guarantees.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Image signing typically uses Sigstore Cosign, which leverages OCI artifacts to attach signatures to container images in the registry. Verification can be enforced via an admission controller (e.g., Kyverno or OPA/Gatekeeper) that checks the signature before allowing a pod to run, ensuring only signed images from trusted publishers are deployed. A real-world scenario is a software supply chain attack where an attacker pushes a malicious image with the same tag; signature verification would block it.
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
997 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
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CKS practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
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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: Sign container images and verify signatures in the CI/CD pipeline — Option B is correct because signing container images with tools like Cosign or Notary and verifying those signatures in the CI/CD pipeline ensures image integrity and authenticity. This prevents tampered or unauthorized images from being deployed, which is a core supply chain security practice in Kubernetes.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
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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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