- A
Use 'crictl export <container-id>' to create a tar archive of the container's filesystem
Why wrong: 'crictl export' creates a tar archive of the container's filesystem only, not memory. While useful for filesystem preservation, it does not meet the requirement to capture both filesystem and memory.
- B
Use 'runc checkpoint' to create a checkpoint of the container
'runc checkpoint' uses CRIU to capture both filesystem and memory state, providing a complete forensic snapshot. This is the correct approach for preserving full evidence.
- C
Use 'kubectl cp' to copy files from the container to the node
Why wrong: 'kubectl cp' copies files from the container to the node but does not capture memory or the full filesystem state (only specific files). It is not suitable for comprehensive forensic capture.
- D
Use 'crictl save' to save the container image
Why wrong: 'crictl save' saves the container image (read-only layers), not the container's runtime state or memory. It misses all writable layer changes and memory contents.
Best Practices for Capturing Container Evidence: Checkpoint vs Export
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging and runtime 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.
An administrator needs to preserve evidence from a compromised container. Which approach is BEST for capturing the container's filesystem and memory for later analysis?
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
Use 'runc checkpoint' to create a checkpoint of the container
Option B is correct because 'runc checkpoint' captures both the container's filesystem and memory state, creating a complete forensic snapshot. Unlike 'crictl export' (which only exports the filesystem), checkpointing uses CRIU to dump memory and filesystem together, making it the best approach for preserving full evidence from a compromised container.
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.
- ✗
Use 'crictl export <container-id>' to create a tar archive of the container's filesystem
Why it's wrong here
'crictl export' creates a tar archive of the container's filesystem only, not memory. While useful for filesystem preservation, it does not meet the requirement to capture both filesystem and memory.
- ✓
Use 'runc checkpoint' to create a checkpoint of the container
Why this is correct
'runc checkpoint' uses CRIU to capture both filesystem and memory state, providing a complete forensic snapshot. This is the correct approach for preserving full evidence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use 'kubectl cp' to copy files from the container to the node
Why it's wrong here
'kubectl cp' copies files from the container to the node but does not capture memory or the full filesystem state (only specific files). It is not suitable for comprehensive forensic capture.
- ✗
Use 'crictl save' to save the container image
Why it's wrong here
'crictl save' saves the container image (read-only layers), not the container's runtime state or memory. It misses all writable layer changes and memory contents.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse container filesystem export commands (like 'crictl export') with full checkpoint/restore capabilities. The key is that 'runc checkpoint' captures memory and filesystem, while 'crictl export' only captures filesystem layers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, 'crictl export' leverages the CRI's 'ContainerStats' and 'ContainerStatus' APIs to locate the container's rootfs mount point (typically under /var/lib/containerd/io.containerd.runtime.v2.task/<namespace>/<container-id>/rootfs) and creates a tar stream of that directory, preserving file permissions, ownership, and extended attributes. In a real-world forensic scenario, you would combine this with a memory capture using 'crictl exec' to run 'cat /proc/self/mem > /tmp/mem.dump' or use a tool like 'LiME' loaded into the container, then export both artifacts; note that 'crictl export' does not capture the container's memory, so the question's phrasing 'filesystem and memory' requires two separate steps, but among the options, only A provides a valid method for the filesystem part.
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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Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — study guide chapter
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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: Use 'runc checkpoint' to create a checkpoint of the container — Option B is correct because 'runc checkpoint' captures both the container's filesystem and memory state, creating a complete forensic snapshot. Unlike 'crictl export' (which only exports the filesystem), checkpointing uses CRIU to dump memory and filesystem together, making it the best approach for preserving full evidence from a compromised container.
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. You need to preserve forensic evidence from a compromised pod. Which TWO actions should you take?
hard- A.Delete the pod immediately
- ✓ B.Take a snapshot of the container's filesystem
- C.Apply a NetworkPolicy to allow all traffic
- ✓ D.Capture the container logs using kubectl logs
- E.Restart the container
Why B: Taking a snapshot of the container filesystem (e.g., using crictl export) and capturing the container logs are standard forensic steps.
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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