- A
Bind a ClusterRole with get and list on secrets to the pod's service account
Why wrong: ClusterRole grants access across all namespaces; more than needed.
- B
Create a Role in the pod's namespace that allows get on secrets and bind it to the pod's service account
Correct: Namespace-scoped Role limited to get on secrets is least privilege.
- C
Grant the pod's service account cluster-admin rights
Why wrong: Overly permissive.
- D
Use a PodSecurityPolicy that allows privileged containers
Why wrong: PodSecurityPolicy controls security context, not RBAC for secrets.
Question 265 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CCSP Practice Question: In a Kubernetes cluster, a pod needs to access a…
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of ccsp exam topics. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
In a Kubernetes cluster, a pod needs to access a cloud provider's key management service (KMS) to retrieve secrets. Which of the following RBAC configurations is the least privileged approach?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
✓
Create a Role in the pod's namespace that allows get on secrets and bind it to the pod's service account
The least privileged approach is to grant only the necessary API permissions to the service account used by the pod, not to users or namespaces unnecessarily.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Bind a ClusterRole with get and list on secrets to the pod's service account
Why it's wrong here
ClusterRole grants access across all namespaces; more than needed.
- ✓
Create a Role in the pod's namespace that allows get on secrets and bind it to the pod's service account
Why this is correct
Correct: Namespace-scoped Role limited to get on secrets is least privilege.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Grant the pod's service account cluster-admin rights
Why it's wrong here
Overly permissive.
- ✗
Use a PodSecurityPolicy that allows privileged containers
Why it's wrong here
PodSecurityPolicy controls security context, not RBAC for secrets.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CCSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Related practice questions
Related CCSP practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security.
Cloud Security Operations practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Security Operations.
Legal, Risk, and Compliance practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Legal, Risk, and Compliance.
Legal, Risk and Compliance practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Legal, Risk and Compliance.
Cloud Data Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Data Security.
Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design.
Cloud Application Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Application Security.
Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design.
CCSP fundamentals practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP fundamentals.
CCSP scenario practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP scenario.
CCSP troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CCSP practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Role in the pod's namespace that allows get on secrets and bind it to the pod's service account — The least privileged approach is to grant only the necessary API permissions to the service account used by the pod, not to users or namespaces unnecessarily.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CCSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Keep practising
More CCSP practice questions
- Refer to the exhibit. An administrator is reviewing an AWS S3 bucket policy. Based on the policy, which of the following…
- A cloud provider experiences a data breach affecting customer data. Which of the following laws most likely requires the…
- A company is performing a risk assessment of its cloud environment. They have identified a risk with a likelihood of 4 (…
- A company is implementing a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) for its cloud-native applications. Which pract…
- A company wants to ensure that its cloud provider's data deletion process is verifiable. Which of the following should t…
- Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst reviews the S3 bucket policy shown. Which security issue should be flagged?
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.