This CKS practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging and runtime security. 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.
You want to ensure that a container's root filesystem is immutable. Which field in the Pod spec should you set?
spec.containers[].securityContext.privileged
Why wrong: privileged gives extra capabilities, not immutability.
spec.hostNetwork
Why wrong: hostNetwork enables host networking, not filesystem immutability.
spec.containers[].securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem
Setting this to true makes the filesystem read-only.
spec.containers[].volumeMounts[].readOnly
Why wrong: This makes a specific volume read-only, not the root filesystem.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
spec.containers[].securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem
The field 'securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem' at the container level makes the root filesystem read-only, effectively immutable.
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.containers[].securityContext.privileged
Why it's wrong here
privileged gives extra capabilities, not immutability.
spec.hostNetwork
Why it's wrong here
hostNetwork enables host networking, not filesystem immutability.
spec.containers[].securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem
Why this is correct
Setting this to true makes the filesystem read-only.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
spec.containers[].volumeMounts[].readOnly
Why it's wrong here
This makes a specific volume read-only, not the root filesystem.
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: spec.containers[].securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem — The field 'securityContext.readOnlyRootFilesystem' at the container level makes the root filesystem read-only, effectively immutable.
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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