KCSA Kubernetes Cluster Component Security Practice Question
Which TWO of the following methods can be used to authenticate users or systems against the Kubernetes API server? (Choose TWO)
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
✓
X.509 client certificates validated by the API server CA.
OpenID Connect (OIDC) tokens and X.509 client certificates are standard native authentication methods for the API server.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
X.509 client certificates validated by the API server CA.
Why this is correct
Client certificates are widely used for authenticating administrators, nodes, and controllers.
- ✗
Unencrypted HTTP basic auth files with default passwords.
Why it's wrong here
Basic auth is deprecated, insecure, and disabled in hardened environments.
- ✗
Anonymous packet sniffing via kube-proxy.
Why it's wrong here
Packet sniffing is a network troubleshooting method, not an authentication method.
- ✓
OpenID Connect (OIDC) tokens issued by an external identity provider.
Why this is correct
OIDC integration allows token-based user authentication via external IdPs.
- ✗
Direct root SSH access to etcd nodes.
Why it's wrong here
SSH access is an infrastructure-level administrative method, not an API server authentication mechanism.
About these practice questions
One of 320 original KCSA practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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.