CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
A cloud application uses containers orchestrated by Kubernetes. The security team wants to enforce that containers cannot run as root and that file systems are read-only at runtime. Which Kubernetes security context configuration should be applied?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse image-level defaults (like a non-root user in a Dockerfile) with runtime enforcement via SecurityContext, or they think PodSecurityPolicy (a deprecated feature) is the only way to enforce these restrictions, when in fact SecurityContext is the direct and correct mechanism.
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
✓
Configure a SecurityContext with runAsNonRoot: true and readOnlyRootFilesystem: true
Kubernetes SecurityContext allows fine-grained control over container permissions at the pod or container level. Setting `runAsNonRoot: true` ensures the container cannot run as UID 0, and `readOnlyRootFilesystem: true` mounts the container's root filesystem as read-only, preventing unauthorized writes at runtime. This directly satisfies the security team's requirements without relying on external policies or image-level configurations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a RuntimeClass that disables root capabilities
Why it's wrong here
RuntimeClass defines runtime configuration, not container-level user and filesystem settings.
- ✗
Set the container's user to a non-root user in the Dockerfile
Why it's wrong here
This can be overridden at runtime; enforcing at Kubernetes level is more reliable.
- ✗
Apply a PodSecurityPolicy that blocks privileged containers
Why it's wrong here
PodSecurityPolicy is deprecated and does not enforce read-only filesystem by default.
- ✓
Configure a SecurityContext with runAsNonRoot: true and readOnlyRootFilesystem: true
Why this is correct
Directly sets the required properties in the container specification.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.