KCNA Cloud Native Architecture Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are key principles of cloud native architecture?
⚠ Common exam trap
CNCF often tests the distinction between 'key principles' (like microservices and automation) and 'operational patterns' (like immutable infrastructure), leading candidates to select immutable infrastructure as a principle when it is actually a best practice derived from those principles.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Infrastructure automation
Infrastructure automation (B) is a key principle of cloud native architecture because it enables consistent, repeatable, and error-free provisioning and management of infrastructure through code (e.g., Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, Ansible). This aligns with the cloud native goal of reducing manual toil and enabling rapid, reliable deployments. Microservices (C) is also a core principle, as it structures applications as a collection of loosely coupled, independently deployable services that can be scaled and updated individually, which is fundamental to cloud native agility and resilience.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Immutable infrastructure
Why it's wrong here
While related, immutable infrastructure is a practice, not a core principle of cloud native architecture.
- ✓
Infrastructure automation
Why this is correct
Automation is essential for managing dynamic cloud environments.
- ✓
Microservices
Why this is correct
Microservices enable independent deployment and scaling, a core cloud native principle.
- ✗
Monolithic design
Why it's wrong here
Monolithic design is contrary to cloud native's modular approach.
- ✗
Manual scaling
Why it's wrong here
Manual scaling is not automated or resilient, unlike cloud native practices.
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Same concept, more angles
4 more ways this is tested on KCNA
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are core principles of cloud native architecture? (Choose two.)
medium- A.Manual infrastructure provisioning
- B.Monolithic application design
- C.Tight coupling between services
- ✓ D.Containerization
- ✓ E.Microservices
Why D: Containerization (Option D) is a core principle of cloud native architecture because it packages applications and their dependencies into isolated, lightweight containers, enabling consistent deployment across environments and efficient resource utilization. This aligns with the cloud native goal of portability and scalability, as containers can be orchestrated by platforms like Kubernetes to manage dynamic workloads.
Variation 2. Which of the following is a core principle of cloud native architecture as defined by the CNCF?
easy- A.Monolithic application design
- B.Manual scaling of applications
- C.Static infrastructure provisioning
- ✓ D.Microservices packaged in containers
Why D: The CNCF defines cloud native architecture as using microservices, containers, dynamic orchestration, and DevOps.
Variation 3. Which of the following is a core principle of cloud native architecture as defined by the CNCF?
easy- A.Monolithic design
- ✓ B.Microservices
- C.Single point of failure
- D.Manual scaling
Why B: Microservices are one of the key architectural principles of cloud native applications.
Variation 4. Which practice is a key principle of cloud-native architecture?
easy- ✓ A.Automated CI/CD pipelines
- B.Manual configuration management
- C.Tight coupling of services
- D.Preferring stateful applications over stateless
Why A: Automated CI/CD pipelines are a key principle of cloud-native architecture because they enable rapid, reliable, and repeatable delivery of microservices. By automating build, test, and deployment stages, teams can achieve continuous integration and continuous delivery, which aligns with the cloud-native goals of agility, scalability, and resilience. This automation reduces human error and accelerates the feedback loop, essential for managing distributed systems in dynamic cloud environments.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This KCNA 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 KCNA exam.