KCSA Kubernetes Security Fundamentals Practice Question
By default, how are Kubernetes Secrets stored in etcd when created without additional encryption-at-rest configurations?
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
✓
Encoded in Base64 plaintext
By default, Kubernetes Secrets are stored encoded in Base64 plaintext within etcd, meaning anyone with etcd access can decode them.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hashed using SHA-256 with a random salt
Why it's wrong here
Kubernetes stores secrets in a retrievable format, not as one-way hashes.
- ✗
Encrypted using the node's TPM chip
Why it's wrong here
TPMs are not used by default to encrypt Kubernetes secrets in etcd.
- ✗
Encrypted using AES-256 automatically
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest in etcd must be explicitly configured via EncryptionConfiguration.
- ✓
Encoded in Base64 plaintext
Why this is correct
Base64 is an encoding mechanism, not encryption; secrets are stored in etcd encoded in Base64.
About these practice questions
This KCSA question is part of Courseiva's 320-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official CNCF / Linux Foundation exam blueprint
This KCSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF / Linux Foundation 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 KCSA exam.