This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 recommended by the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark to secure the API server?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set --authorization-mode=RBAC
Option A is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends setting `--authorization-mode=RBAC` to enforce role-based access control, which restricts API server access based on user roles and permissions. This ensures that only authorized users and service accounts can perform specific actions, aligning with the principle of least privilege.
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.
✓
Set --authorization-mode=RBAC
Why this is correct
Enables RBAC authorization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Set --enable-admission-plugins=NodeRestriction
Why it's wrong here
While recommended, this is not one of the two most essential for API server security in the CIS benchmark.
✗
Set --authorization-mode=AlwaysAllow
Why it's wrong here
AlwaysAllow is insecure; RBAC should be used.
✗
Set --insecure-port=8080
Why it's wrong here
The insecure port should be disabled, not set.
✓
Set --anonymous-auth=false
Why this is correct
Disables anonymous access.
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 distinction between recommended admission plugins (like NodeRestriction) and authorization/authentication settings, so candidates may mistakenly select NodeRestriction as a top-level security action when the question specifically targets authorization and authentication controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The API server's `--authorization-mode` flag accepts a comma-separated list of modes (e.g., `RBAC,Node`), and RBAC works by evaluating `Role` and `ClusterRole` bindings against the user's attributes. Setting `--anonymous-auth=false` disables anonymous requests, which is critical because, by default, the API server allows unauthenticated requests with the `system:anonymous` user; disabling this forces all requests to present valid credentials, closing a common misconfiguration that can lead to privilege escalation.
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: Set --authorization-mode=RBAC — Option A is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends setting `--authorization-mode=RBAC` to enforce role-based access control, which restricts API server access based on user roles and permissions. This ensures that only authorized users and service accounts can perform specific actions, aligning with the principle of least privilege.
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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