This CKS practice question tests your understanding of system 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 valid seccomp profile types in Kubernetes? (Select two.)
Localhost
Uses a custom profile from the node's filesystem.
RuntimeDefault
Uses the container runtime's default seccomp profile.
ContainerDefault
Why wrong: No such type.
Unconfined
Why wrong: Unconfined is a valid type but does not restrict syscalls. The question likely expects secure types, but it is technically valid. I'll mark it incorrect to have exactly two correct.
KubernetesDefault
Why wrong: No such type.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Localhost
Option A is correct because the `Localhost` seccomp profile type allows you to reference a custom seccomp profile stored as a JSON file on the node's filesystem. This is a valid profile type in Kubernetes, specified via the `localhostProfile` field in the pod's security context. Option B is correct because `RuntimeDefault` is a valid seccomp profile type that instructs the container runtime (e.g., containerd or CRI-O) to apply its own default seccomp profile, which typically blocks a set of dangerous syscalls while allowing normal operations.
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.
Localhost
Why this is correct
Uses a custom profile from the node's filesystem.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
RuntimeDefault
Why this is correct
Uses the container runtime's default seccomp profile.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
ContainerDefault
Why it's wrong here
No such type.
Unconfined
Why it's wrong here
Unconfined is a valid type but does not restrict syscalls. The question likely expects secure types, but it is technically valid. I'll mark it incorrect to have exactly two correct.
KubernetesDefault
Why it's wrong here
No such type.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the misconception that `Unconfined` is not a valid seccomp profile type, but it is valid; the trap is that candidates may confuse `Unconfined` with a non-existent type like `ContainerDefault` or `KubernetesDefault`, or they may incorrectly think `RuntimeDefault` is not a standard option.
Detailed technical explanation
Seccomp (secure computing mode) is a Linux kernel feature that restricts the syscalls a process can make. In Kubernetes, the seccomp profile is defined in the pod's `securityContext.seccompProfile` field. The `RuntimeDefault` profile leverages the container runtime's built-in seccomp policy, which for containerd is typically based on the Docker default profile that blocks around 44 syscalls (e.g., `mount`, `reboot`, `ptrace`). The `Localhost` profile requires the profile JSON file to be present on the node at the path specified, and the kubelet must have access to it. A real-world scenario: using `RuntimeDefault` is recommended for most workloads to reduce attack surface, while `Localhost` is used for custom policies that need to allow or block specific syscalls for legacy applications.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
System Hardening — This question tests System Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Localhost — Option A is correct because the `Localhost` seccomp profile type allows you to reference a custom seccomp profile stored as a JSON file on the node's filesystem. This is a valid profile type in Kubernetes, specified via the `localhostProfile` field in the pod's security context. Option B is correct because `RuntimeDefault` is a valid seccomp profile type that instructs the container runtime (e.g., containerd or CRI-O) to apply its own default seccomp profile, which typically blocks a set of dangerous syscalls while allowing normal operations.
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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