This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. 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 enable encryption at rest for secrets in an existing cluster. Which resource should you create?
ConfigMap
Why wrong: ConfigMaps are for storing configuration data, not encryption configuration.
EncryptionConfiguration
EncryptionConfiguration is the custom resource used to configure encryption at rest for Kubernetes secrets and other resources.
Secret
Why wrong: Secrets store sensitive data but do not configure encryption.
CustomResourceDefinition
Why wrong: CRDs define custom resources; they do not configure encryption.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
EncryptionConfiguration
To enable encryption at rest for Kubernetes secrets, you must create an EncryptionConfiguration resource. This object defines which encryption providers (e.g., AES-CBC, KMS, or secretbox) should be used to encrypt secrets stored in etcd. Once defined, you must pass the EncryptionConfiguration file to the kube-apiserver via the `--encryption-provider-config` flag and restart the API server for the encryption to take effect.
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.
ConfigMap
Why it's wrong here
ConfigMaps are for storing configuration data, not encryption configuration.
EncryptionConfiguration
Why this is correct
EncryptionConfiguration is the custom resource used to configure encryption at rest for Kubernetes secrets and other resources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Secret
Why it's wrong here
Secrets store sensitive data but do not configure encryption.
CustomResourceDefinition
Why it's wrong here
CRDs define custom resources; they do not configure encryption.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the misconception that creating a Secret resource itself enables encryption at rest, when in fact you must explicitly configure the EncryptionConfiguration and restart the API server to protect secrets stored in etcd.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the EncryptionConfiguration resource specifies a list of providers (e.g., `aescbc`, `kms`, `secretbox`) and the order in which they are applied. When the API server writes a secret to etcd, it encrypts the data using the first provider in the list; when reading, it tries each provider in order until decryption succeeds. A subtle behavior is that if you add a new encryption key to an existing configuration, existing secrets are not automatically re-encrypted—you must use a tool like `kubectl get secrets --all-namespaces -o json | kubectl replace -f -` to trigger re-encryption.
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Cluster Setup and Hardening practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CKS questions
997 questions across all exam domains
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CKS practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CKS questions linked to Monitoring Logging and Runtime Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Setup and Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to System Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities.
Practise CKS questions linked to Supply Chain Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Setup.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS fundamentals.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS scenario.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: EncryptionConfiguration — To enable encryption at rest for Kubernetes secrets, you must create an EncryptionConfiguration resource. This object defines which encryption providers (e.g., AES-CBC, KMS, or secretbox) should be used to encrypt secrets stored in etcd. Once defined, you must pass the EncryptionConfiguration file to the kube-apiserver via the `--encryption-provider-config` flag and restart the API server for the encryption to take effect.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.