This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. 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.
Which kubectl command checks the CIS Benchmark compliance of a cluster node using the kube-bench tool?
kubectl apply -f job.yaml
kube-bench is often deployed as a Kubernetes Job; applying the job YAML runs the benchmark.
kubectl kube-bench
Why wrong: kubectl does not have a kube-bench subcommand.
kubectl run kube-bench --image=aquasec/kube-bench
Why wrong: While this runs a pod, it does not output results properly and is not the standard method.
kube-bench run --targets=node
Why wrong: kube-bench is a binary, not a kubectl command.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
kubectl apply -f job.yaml
Option A is correct because kube-bench runs as a Kubernetes Job, and the standard way to execute it against a cluster node is to apply a Job YAML manifest that runs the aquasec/kube-bench image. This Job performs CIS Benchmark checks on the node where it is scheduled, and the results are output to the Job's logs. The `kubectl apply -f job.yaml` command deploys the pre-configured Job, which is the recommended method for running kube-bench in a cluster context.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
kubectl apply -f job.yaml
Why this is correct
kube-bench is often deployed as a Kubernetes Job; applying the job YAML runs the benchmark.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kubectl kube-bench
Why it's wrong here
kubectl does not have a kube-bench subcommand.
kubectl run kube-bench --image=aquasec/kube-bench
Why it's wrong here
While this runs a pod, it does not output results properly and is not the standard method.
kube-bench run --targets=node
Why it's wrong here
kube-bench is a binary, not a kubectl command.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse running a container directly with `kubectl run` versus deploying a proper Job manifest, or they assume `kubectl` has a native kube-bench subcommand, when in fact kube-bench must be run as a Kubernetes workload (typically a Job) to comply with the CIS Benchmark scanning methodology.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
kubectl does not have a kube-bench subcommand.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, kube-bench checks the node's configuration files (e.g., kubelet config, API server flags, etcd settings) against the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark. When run as a Job, it mounts the host filesystem via a volume to access these files, and the Job's pod is scheduled on the target node using nodeSelector or tolerations. In a real-world scenario, you might run kube-bench on a control plane node by applying a Job YAML that includes a nodeSelector for `node-role.kubernetes.io/control-plane`, ensuring the benchmark checks the correct node's configuration.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: kubectl apply -f job.yaml — Option A is correct because kube-bench runs as a Kubernetes Job, and the standard way to execute it against a cluster node is to apply a Job YAML manifest that runs the aquasec/kube-bench image. This Job performs CIS Benchmark checks on the node where it is scheduled, and the results are output to the Job's logs. The `kubectl apply -f job.yaml` command deploys the pre-configured Job, which is the recommended method for running kube-bench in a cluster context.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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