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 practices according to the CIS Kubernetes 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
✓
Enable audit logging on the API server
Option A is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends enabling audit logging on the API server to record all requests and responses, which is essential for security monitoring, forensics, and compliance. Option B is correct because disabling anonymous authentication on the API server prevents unauthenticated requests from being processed, reducing the attack surface. The benchmark specifically advises setting `--anonymous-auth=false` on the API server to enforce authentication for all requests.
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.
✓
Enable audit logging on the API server
Why this is correct
CIS recommends enabling audit logging with a policy file.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Disable anonymous authentication on the API server
Why this is correct
CIS recommends setting --anonymous-auth=false.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable anonymous authentication on the kubelet
Why it's wrong here
CIS recommends disabling anonymous auth on the kubelet.
✗
Use the AlwaysAllow authorization mode
Why it's wrong here
CIS recommends using RBAC, not AlwaysAllow.
✗
Disable the NodeRestriction admission plugin
Why it's wrong here
CIS recommends enabling NodeRestriction.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the distinction between the API server and the kubelet: candidates may incorrectly assume that disabling anonymous authentication on the API server also applies to the kubelet, or they may confuse the recommendation to disable anonymous authentication on the API server with enabling it on the kubelet, which is a common trap.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Audit logging on the API server uses a policy file (e.g., `--audit-policy-file`) to define what events are logged at which stages (RequestReceived, ResponseStarted, etc.), and logs are written to a file or webhook. Disabling anonymous authentication sets `--anonymous-auth=false` on the API server, which causes requests without valid credentials to be rejected with a 401 Unauthorized error, even if RBAC rules would otherwise allow them. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured kubelet with anonymous authentication enabled could allow an attacker to enumerate pods or execute commands without credentials, as the kubelet's API is often exposed on port 10250.
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: Enable audit logging on the API server — Option A is correct because the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommends enabling audit logging on the API server to record all requests and responses, which is essential for security monitoring, forensics, and compliance. Option B is correct because disabling anonymous authentication on the API server prevents unauthenticated requests from being processed, reducing the attack surface. The benchmark specifically advises setting `--anonymous-auth=false` on the API server to enforce authentication for all requests.
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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