This CKS practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging and runtime security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
You need to configure a Kubernetes Pod to have an immutable root filesystem. Which field should you set in the Pod spec?
spec.hostPID: true
Why wrong: This shares the host PID namespace, unrelated to filesystem.
securityContext.allowPrivilegeEscalation: false
Why wrong: This prevents privilege escalation, not filesystem writes.
securityContext.runAsUser: 1000
Why wrong: This sets the user ID, not filesystem immutability.
securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem: true
Correct: This setting makes the root filesystem read-only, preventing writes.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem: true
The 'securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem' field, when set to true, makes the container's root filesystem read-only. Option B is for running as a specific user. Option C is about privilege escalation. Option D is for sharing the host's PID namespace.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
spec.hostPID: true
Why it's wrong here
This shares the host PID namespace, unrelated to filesystem.
securityContext.allowPrivilegeEscalation: false
Why it's wrong here
This prevents privilege escalation, not filesystem writes.
securityContext.runAsUser: 1000
Why it's wrong here
This sets the user ID, not filesystem immutability.
securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem: true
Why this is correct
Correct: This setting makes the root filesystem read-only, preventing writes.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CKS questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — This question tests Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem: true — The 'securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem' field, when set to true, makes the container's root filesystem read-only. Option B is for running as a specific user. Option C is about privilege escalation. Option D is for sharing the host's PID namespace.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CKS questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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