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 admission plugins are recommended to be enabled for security hardening?
AlwaysPullImages
Why wrong: Not a default recommendation but can be used.
NodeRestriction
Limits node modifications.
NamespaceLifecycle
Why wrong: Prevents deletion of system namespaces but not a primary hardening plugin.
PodSecurity
Replaces PSP and enforces pod security standards.
DefaultStorageClass
Why wrong: Not related to 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
NodeRestriction
NodeRestriction is correct because it limits the Node object modifications a kubelet can make, preventing compromised nodes from modifying other nodes or escalating privileges. PodSecurity is correct because it enforces Pod Security Standards (baseline, restricted) via admission, replacing the deprecated PodSecurityPolicy with a built-in, stable mechanism for controlling pod security contexts.
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.
AlwaysPullImages
Why it's wrong here
Not a default recommendation but can be used.
NodeRestriction
Why this is correct
Limits node modifications.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
NamespaceLifecycle
Why it's wrong here
Prevents deletion of system namespaces but not a primary hardening plugin.
PodSecurity
Why this is correct
Replaces PSP and enforces pod security standards.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
DefaultStorageClass
Why it's wrong here
Not related to security.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the distinction between plugins that are 'enabled by default' (like NamespaceLifecycle) versus those that are specifically 'recommended for security hardening' (like NodeRestriction and PodSecurity), causing candidates to pick default plugins that are not security-focused.
Detailed technical explanation
NodeRestriction works by adding a node-role.kubernetes.io/master label and restricting kubelet writes to Node and Pod objects only for the node's own name, preventing a compromised kubelet from modifying other nodes or creating pods on other nodes. PodSecurity admission evaluates pods against the Pod Security Standards (privileged, baseline, restricted) defined in the namespace's pod-security.kubernetes.io labels, and can enforce, audit, or warn based on the mode, providing granular control without the complexity of PSPs.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
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: NodeRestriction — NodeRestriction is correct because it limits the Node object modifications a kubelet can make, preventing compromised nodes from modifying other nodes or escalating privileges. PodSecurity is correct because it enforces Pod Security Standards (baseline, restricted) via admission, replacing the deprecated PodSecurityPolicy with a built-in, stable mechanism for controlling pod security contexts.
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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