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 practices help secure the Kubernetes Dashboard?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a ClusterIP service and access it via kubectl proxy
Option B is correct because accessing the Kubernetes Dashboard via `kubectl proxy` creates a secure, authenticated HTTP proxy between your local machine and the API server. This method leverages the API server's built-in authentication and authorization, ensuring that only users with valid kubeconfig credentials can reach the Dashboard. It also avoids exposing the Dashboard directly to the network, reducing 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.
✗
Enable anonymous access to the Dashboard
Why it's wrong here
Anonymous access is insecure.
✓
Use a ClusterIP service and access it via kubectl proxy
Why this is correct
Access via proxy avoids public exposure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Grant the Dashboard service account cluster-admin role for full functionality
Why it's wrong here
This violates least privilege.
✓
Use RBAC to restrict Dashboard service account permissions to read-only
Why this is correct
Least privilege principle.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Expose the Dashboard via a NodePort service for easy access
Why it's wrong here
Exposing via NodePort can increase attack surface.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think exposing the Dashboard via a NodePort or granting it cluster-admin is acceptable for 'full functionality,' but the CKS exam strictly enforces least privilege and network security, making RBAC-restricted access via kubectl proxy the only secure approach among the options.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `kubectl proxy` command creates a local HTTP server that forwards requests to the Kubernetes API server, automatically injecting the user's authentication token from their kubeconfig. This ensures that all requests to the Dashboard are subject to the same RBAC policies as any other `kubectl` command. In a real-world scenario, an organization might also combine this with an OIDC provider or client certificate authentication to further secure access, while never exposing the Dashboard via a LoadBalancer or Ingress without additional authentication middleware.
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: Use a ClusterIP service and access it via kubectl proxy — Option B is correct because accessing the Kubernetes Dashboard via `kubectl proxy` creates a secure, authenticated HTTP proxy between your local machine and the API server. This method leverages the API server's built-in authentication and authorization, ensuring that only users with valid kubeconfig credentials can reach the Dashboard. It also avoids exposing the Dashboard directly to the network, reducing 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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