This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. 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 TWO actions are part of the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommendations?
Enable audit logging on the API server
Audit logging is recommended for security monitoring.
Allow all service accounts to list secrets
Why wrong: This violates least privilege.
Expose the API server on port 8080
Why wrong: Port 8080 is insecure and should not be used.
Disable anonymous authentication on the API server
Anonymous auth should be disabled.
Use HTTP for kubelet communication
Why wrong: HTTPS should be used for security.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable audit logging on the API server
Option A is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends enabling audit logging on the API server to record all requests and responses, which is essential for security monitoring, forensics, and compliance. Audit logs capture the sequence of activities, including who performed an action, what resource was accessed, and the outcome, enabling detection of unauthorized or suspicious behavior.
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.
Enable audit logging on the API server
Why this is correct
Audit logging is recommended for security monitoring.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Allow all service accounts to list secrets
Why it's wrong here
This violates least privilege.
Expose the API server on port 8080
Why it's wrong here
Port 8080 is insecure and should not be used.
Disable anonymous authentication on the API server
Why this is correct
Anonymous auth should be disabled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use HTTP for kubelet communication
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS should be used for security.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the misconception that disabling anonymous authentication is optional or that audit logging is only for debugging, when in fact both are mandatory hardening steps per the CIS Benchmark to prevent unauthorized access and ensure accountability.
Detailed technical explanation
Audit logging on the API server is configured via the `--audit-log-path` and `--audit-policy-file` flags, with a policy file defining which events (e.g., RequestResponse, Metadata) are logged. In a real-world scenario, enabling audit logging with a proper retention policy (e.g., log rotation via `--audit-log-maxsize` and `--audit-log-maxbackup`) is critical for incident response, as it provides an immutable record of cluster activity that can be ingested into SIEM systems like Splunk or ELK.
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
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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: Enable audit logging on the API server — Option A is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends enabling audit logging on the API server to record all requests and responses, which is essential for security monitoring, forensics, and compliance. Audit logs capture the sequence of activities, including who performed an action, what resource was accessed, and the outcome, enabling detection of unauthorized or suspicious behavior.
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 30, 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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