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 required to implement a secure software supply chain using Kubernetes native features?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use vulnerability scanning tools like Trivy or Grype in the CI/CD pipeline.
Option A is correct because vulnerability scanning tools like Trivy or Grype are essential for identifying known CVEs in container images before deployment. Integrating these tools into the CI/CD pipeline ensures that only images with an acceptable vulnerability posture are built and pushed to the registry, forming a foundational security gate in the software supply chain.
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 vulnerability scanning tools like Trivy or Grype in the CI/CD pipeline.
Why this is correct
Scanning prevents deployment of images with known vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable admission controllers to reduce latency in pod creation.
Integrate image signature verification into the admission webhook (e.g., using cosign and Kyverno).
Why this is correct
Verification ensures images are signed by trusted parties.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run all containers as root inside the pod to avoid permission issues.
Why it's wrong here
Running as root violates least privilege principle.
✓
Enforce policies using OPA Gatekeeper or Kyverno to restrict allowed registries and image constraints.
Why this is correct
Policy enforcement ensures only trusted images are used.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the misconception that disabling security controls (like admission controllers) is acceptable for performance, when in fact it undermines the entire supply chain security model.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Image signature verification (Option C) uses cryptographic signing (e.g., with Cosign) and admission webhooks (e.g., Kyverno) to ensure only trusted images are deployed, preventing tampering after build. Policy enforcement (Option E) via OPA Gatekeeper or Kyverno can restrict registries (e.g., only allow images from `myregistry.io`) and enforce image constraints (e.g., require `readOnlyRootFilesystem: true`), directly mitigating supply chain attacks like dependency confusion or registry poisoning.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
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: Use vulnerability scanning tools like Trivy or Grype in the CI/CD pipeline. — Option A is correct because vulnerability scanning tools like Trivy or Grype are essential for identifying known CVEs in container images before deployment. Integrating these tools into the CI/CD pipeline ensures that only images with an acceptable vulnerability posture are built and pushed to the registry, forming a foundational security gate in the software supply chain.
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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Question Discussion
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