- A
Disable RBAC to simplify automation scripts
Why wrong: RBAC is a critical security control.
- C
Allow all network traffic between pods for simplicity
Why wrong: Network policies should restrict traffic.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is implementing network policies to restrict pod-to-pod communication, paired with enforcing Pod Security Policies (PSPs) to control container privileges. Network policies act as a Kubernetes-native firewall, segmenting traffic between pods based on labels and namespaces, which directly limits lateral movement if an attacker compromises one container. Pod Security Policies enforce the principle of least privilege by blocking privileged containers, preventing host namespace sharing, and mandating read-only root filesystems—reducing the blast radius of a container breakout. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this question tests your ability to apply Kubernetes security best practices within a DevOps automation pipeline; a common trap is confusing role-based access control (RBAC) with pod-level security controls. Remember that PSPs govern what a pod can do, while network policies govern what a pod can reach. Memory tip: think “PSP for privilege, network policy for perimeter.”
CAS-004 Kubernetes security practices Practice Question
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A DevOps engineer is automating container orchestration using Kubernetes. Which of the following are security best practices to include in the automation? (Choose two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Enforce Pod Security Policies to restrict privileged containers
Enforcing Pod Security Policies (PSPs) is a critical security best practice in Kubernetes because it restricts the creation of privileged containers, prevents host namespace sharing, and enforces read-only root filesystems. This reduces the attack surface by ensuring that containers run with the least privilege necessary, mitigating risks of container breakout or host compromise. Disabling PSPs or failing to enforce them would allow developers to deploy containers with excessive capabilities, violating the principle of least privilege.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Disable RBAC to simplify automation scripts
Why it's wrong here
RBAC is a critical security control.
- ✗
Allow all network traffic between pods for simplicity
Why it's wrong here
Network policies should restrict traffic.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The CAS-004 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Enforce Pod Security Policies to restrict privileged containersCorrect answer▾
✗Disable RBAC to simplify automation scriptsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
RBAC is a critical security control.
✗Allow all network traffic between pods for simplicityWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Network policies should restrict traffic.
Analysis generated from the official CAS-004blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that disabling security features like RBAC or network policies simplifies automation and is acceptable in a DevOps pipeline, when in fact automation should enforce security controls, not bypass them.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Kubernetes Pod Security Policies (now deprecated in favor of Pod Security Admission) work by defining a set of conditions that a pod must meet to be admitted, such as preventing privileged escalation (allowPrivilegeEscalation: false) or enforcing seccomp profiles. Network policies use label selectors and ingress/egress rules to control traffic at the IP address or port level (OSI layer 3/4), implemented by CNI plugins like Calico or Cilium. In a real-world scenario, a compromised web application pod with unrestricted network access could exfiltrate data to a database pod, whereas a network policy restricting egress to only the database port would block such lateral movement.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Scripting, Containers and Automation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAS-004 question test?
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enforce Pod Security Policies to restrict privileged containers — Enforcing Pod Security Policies (PSPs) is a critical security best practice in Kubernetes because it restricts the creation of privileged containers, prevents host namespace sharing, and enforces read-only root filesystems. This reduces the attack surface by ensuring that containers run with the least privilege necessary, mitigating risks of container breakout or host compromise. Disabling PSPs or failing to enforce them would allow developers to deploy containers with excessive capabilities, violating the principle of least privilege.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on CAS-004
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 best practices for securing container orchestration platforms (e.g., Kubernetes)? (Select two.)
medium- ✓ A.Apply network policies to isolate workloads.
- B.Use privileged containers for system services.
- C.Disable all security contexts to avoid restrictions.
- ✓ D.Enable Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
Why A: Network policies in Kubernetes act as a firewall for pods, controlling ingress and egress traffic at the IP address or port level (OSI layer 3 or 4). By default, all pods can communicate with each other; applying network policies enforces least-privilege segmentation, which is a core security best practice for container orchestration platforms.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CAS-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-004 exam.
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