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 of the following are recommended by the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Disable anonymous authentication on the API server
Option C is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark explicitly recommends disabling anonymous authentication on the API server to prevent unauthenticated access. Anonymous requests bypass all authentication checks and can lead to unauthorized cluster operations if RBAC is not properly scoped. Setting the `--anonymous-auth=false` flag on the API server ensures that only authenticated users can interact with the cluster.
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.
✗
Use NodePort services for internal communication
Why it's wrong here
NodePort is not recommended; ClusterIP is preferred for internal communication.
✗
Enable the insecure port on the API server
Why it's wrong here
The insecure port should be disabled.
✓
Disable anonymous authentication on the API server
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use the default service account for all pods
Why it's wrong here
Default service accounts should not be used without explicit RBAC. Dedicated service accounts with minimal permissions are recommended.
✓
Enable audit logging on the API server
Why this is correct
CIS benchmark recommends enabling audit logs to track API requests.
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 misconception that NodePort services are suitable for internal cluster communication, but the trap is that NodePort is designed for external access and introduces unnecessary network exposure, while ClusterIP is the correct internal service type.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Audit logging (Option E) captures a chronological record of all API requests, including the user, timestamp, and resource affected, which is essential for forensic analysis and compliance. The CIS Benchmark recommends enabling audit logging with a policy that logs at least metadata-level events for all API calls, and the audit log backend writes to a file (e.g., `/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log`) that must be protected from tampering. In a real-world scenario, without audit logs, a security breach could go undetected for months, as there would be no trail to investigate unauthorized `kubectl exec` or secret retrieval.
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.
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: Disable anonymous authentication on the API server — Option C is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark explicitly recommends disabling anonymous authentication on the API server to prevent unauthenticated access. Anonymous requests bypass all authentication checks and can lead to unauthorized cluster operations if RBAC is not properly scoped. Setting the `--anonymous-auth=false` flag on the API server ensures that only authenticated users can interact with the cluster.
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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