This CKS practice question tests your understanding of supply chain security. 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 of the following are best practices for securing the container supply chain?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Scan images for vulnerabilities in a CI pipeline before deploying.
Scanning images for vulnerabilities in a CI pipeline before deployment is a best practice because it catches known CVEs early, preventing vulnerable images from reaching production. Tools like Trivy, Clair, or Grype integrate into CI/CD to enforce policy gates, ensuring only compliant images proceed.
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.
✓
Scan images for vulnerabilities in a CI pipeline before deploying.
Why this is correct
Scanning helps catch known vulnerabilities early.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use image signing and verification (e.g., with cosign) to ensure image integrity.
Why this is correct
Signing images ensures they have not been tampered with.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Embed API keys directly in container images for authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Secrets in images are exposed and should be injected at runtime.
✗
Allow all images from any registry without verification to speed up development.
Why it's wrong here
Unverified images may contain malware or vulnerabilities.
✗
Use mutable tags like 'latest' for easier updates.
Why it's wrong here
Mutable tags make it impossible to guarantee which image version is running.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the distinction between 'scanning for vulnerabilities' (Option A) and 'signing for integrity' (Option B) as complementary but distinct practices, and the trap is that candidates might think only one is needed or confuse signing with scanning.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Image signing with cosign leverages Sigstore for keyless signing using OIDC, binding signatures to an identity (e.g., email) rather than a static key. In a real-world scenario, a CI pipeline can enforce admission via Kyverno or OPA Gatekeeper to reject unsigned images, preventing deployment of tampered layers even if the registry is compromised.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
Supply Chain Security — This question tests Supply Chain Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Scan images for vulnerabilities in a CI pipeline before deploying. — Scanning images for vulnerabilities in a CI pipeline before deployment is a best practice because it catches known CVEs early, preventing vulnerable images from reaching production. Tools like Trivy, Clair, or Grype integrate into CI/CD to enforce policy gates, ensuring only compliant images proceed.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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