- A
policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - podSelector: matchLabels: app: frontend
Correct: This restricts ingress to pods with label app: frontend.
- B
policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - podSelector: {}
Why wrong: Empty podSelector selects all pods in the namespace, not just frontend.
- C
policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - namespaceSelector: {}
Why wrong: namespaceSelector selects namespaces, not pods.
- D
policyTypes: [Egress]
Why wrong: Egress policy controls outbound traffic, not ingress.
Question 137 of 997
Allowing Ingress from Pods with Specific Labels via NetworkPolicy
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging and runtime security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 create a NetworkPolicy that allows only ingress traffic from pods with label 'app: frontend' in the same namespace. Which policyType and ingress rule should you use?
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
✓
policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - podSelector: matchLabels: app: frontend
Option A is correct because a NetworkPolicy that restricts ingress traffic to only pods with the label 'app: frontend' in the same namespace must use `policyTypes: [Ingress]` and an `ingress` rule with a `podSelector` that matches that label. The `podSelector` without a `namespaceSelector` implicitly selects pods only within the same namespace as the NetworkPolicy, which satisfies the requirement.
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.
- ✓
policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - podSelector: matchLabels: app: frontend
Why this is correct
Correct: This restricts ingress to pods with label app: frontend.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - podSelector: {}
Why it's wrong here
Empty podSelector selects all pods in the namespace, not just frontend.
- ✗
policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - namespaceSelector: {}
Why it's wrong here
namespaceSelector selects namespaces, not pods.
- ✗
policyTypes: [Egress]
Why it's wrong here
Egress policy controls outbound traffic, not ingress.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `podSelector: {}` (which allows all pods in the namespace) with `podSelector` with specific labels, or they incorrectly add a `namespaceSelector` when the requirement explicitly says 'same namespace'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a NetworkPolicy with `podSelector` (without `namespaceSelector`) applies only to pods in the same namespace as the policy, and the `ingress.from.podSelector` further filters allowed sources by pod labels. If you need cross-namespace access, you must combine `namespaceSelector` and `podSelector`; omitting `namespaceSelector` is the correct way to restrict to the local namespace. A common real-world scenario is microservices where only the frontend service should reach the backend, and using a precise `podSelector` prevents lateral movement from compromised pods.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — This question tests Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: policyTypes: [Ingress] ingress: - from: - podSelector: matchLabels: app: frontend — Option A is correct because a NetworkPolicy that restricts ingress traffic to only pods with the label 'app: frontend' in the same namespace must use `policyTypes: [Ingress]` and an `ingress` rule with a `podSelector` that matches that label. The `podSelector` without a `namespaceSelector` implicitly selects pods only within the same namespace as the NetworkPolicy, which satisfies the requirement.
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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