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 should be enabled to improve cluster security according to the CIS Benchmark? (Select 2)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
NodeRestriction
NodeRestriction (A) is correct because it limits the permissions of kubelet nodes to only modify their own pods and node objects, preventing a compromised node from accessing or modifying other nodes' resources. PodSecurity (B) is correct because it enforces Pod Security Standards (Privileged, Baseline, Restricted) at the namespace level, replacing the deprecated PodSecurityPolicy and ensuring pods comply with security contexts like running as non-root or dropping capabilities. Both are explicitly recommended in the CIS Benchmark for Kubernetes to reduce the attack surface.
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.
✓
NodeRestriction
Why this is correct
CIS recommends enabling NodeRestriction to limit kubelet permissions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
PodSecurity
Why this is correct
CIS recommends enabling PodSecurity to enforce pod security standards.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AlwaysPullImages
Why it's wrong here
While useful, it is not explicitly recommended in the CIS benchmark.
✗
NamespaceLifecycle
Why it's wrong here
This plugin prevents deletion of system namespaces but is not a security hardening plugin.
✗
ServiceAccount
Why it's wrong here
This is enabled by default and not specifically a CIS recommendation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the distinction between plugins that are 'recommended for security' (like NodeRestriction and PodSecurity) versus those that are 'useful but not CIS-mandated' (like AlwaysPullImages), leading candidates to over-select based on general security benefits rather than the specific CIS Benchmark requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NodeRestriction works by adding a NodeRestriction admission plugin that checks the node's identity via its x509 certificate's Common Name (e.g., system:node:<nodeName>) and restricts kubelet API calls to only its own node and pods. PodSecurity implements the Pod Security Standards by evaluating pod security contexts against predefined profiles (e.g., Restricted profile requires seccomp=RuntimeDefault, runAsNonRoot=true, and dropping ALL capabilities). In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured kubelet could escalate privileges without NodeRestriction, and without PodSecurity, a developer could deploy a privileged container that escapes to the host.
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: NodeRestriction — NodeRestriction (A) is correct because it limits the permissions of kubelet nodes to only modify their own pods and node objects, preventing a compromised node from accessing or modifying other nodes' resources. PodSecurity (B) is correct because it enforces Pod Security Standards (Privileged, Baseline, Restricted) at the namespace level, replacing the deprecated PodSecurityPolicy and ensuring pods comply with security contexts like running as non-root or dropping capabilities. Both are explicitly recommended in the CIS Benchmark for Kubernetes to reduce the attack surface.
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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