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 THREE of the following are valid methods to secure etcd?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Encrypt secrets at rest using EncryptionConfiguration
Option B is correct because Kubernetes supports encrypting secrets at rest in etcd via an EncryptionConfiguration object. This configuration specifies which resources (e.g., secrets) should be encrypted and which encryption provider (e.g., AES-CBC, secretbox) to use, ensuring that data stored on disk is protected against unauthorized access to the etcd data directory.
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.
Encrypt secrets at rest using EncryptionConfiguration
Why this is correct
This encrypts data stored in etcd.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable RBAC authorization on etcd
Why this is correct
etcd supports RBAC to restrict operations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Open etcd port 2379 to all network interfaces
Why it's wrong here
Should be restricted to apiserver only.
✓
Enable TLS client certificates for authentication
Why this is correct
TLS ensures encrypted communication and authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think HTTP reduces overhead and is acceptable for internal cluster traffic, but the CKS exam strictly requires TLS encryption for all etcd communication, and exposing ports to all interfaces is a clear security violation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
etcd stores all Kubernetes cluster state, including secrets, ConfigMaps, and RBAC policies. When encryption at rest is enabled, the kube-apiserver encrypts resources before writing them to etcd and decrypts them on read; the encryption keys are managed via the EncryptionConfiguration and can be rotated using a key rotation process. A subtle behavior is that encryption only applies to resources created after the configuration is applied — existing data must be re-encrypted manually or by re-creating the resources.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Encrypt secrets at rest using EncryptionConfiguration — Option B is correct because Kubernetes supports encrypting secrets at rest in etcd via an EncryptionConfiguration object. This configuration specifies which resources (e.g., secrets) should be encrypted and which encryption provider (e.g., AES-CBC, secretbox) to use, ensuring that data stored on disk is protected against unauthorized access to the etcd data directory.
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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