Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) Linux Foundation Exam

Ahmed MontasserMarch 10, 2022

4 minutes read

The certified Kubernetes security program knows and has a very broad range of good practices for securing the container-based applications, and during deployment, build. The runtime of the Kubernetes platform is all assured by the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialists Program.

The certified Kubernetes security exam schedule is structured very well, and the topics for the security of Kubernetes are also well structured. For implementing the existing Kubernetes, the schedule is used as the checklist. The only sought-after DevOps engineer certification is the CKS certified Kubernetes security.

Skills Requirements for CKS Exam Certification:

The candidate should have the Valid CKA certification for the appearance in the CKS certified Kubernetes security exam. It is actually the only main requirement for the certified Kubernetes security exam. If the candidate is unable to pass the CKA exam for any reason and unable to achieve the CKA certification, the CKA exam Study Guide is referred for all useful resources.

CKS certified Kubernetes security exam bundle could also be purchased if you don’t have the CKA certification, which is (CKA + CKS).

Using the bundle, the candidate can save up to $206 with an additional discount of 21%. However, the CKA exam needs to be passed before appearing in the CKS exam.

Exam Details:

There are some important things you should know about CKS exam certification, so you can prepare your exam paper according to these specific details.

Exam Name: Certified Kubernetes Security (CKS).

Exam Cost: 375$ includes one free retake.

Exam Time: 2 hours.

Exam Questions: 17 questions, ranging from 14% TO 4%, it’s completely browser-based and it’s remotely proctored.

Passing marks: 67%.

CKS Validity: 2 years.

Exam Topics:

Here is a list of exam topics you need to prepare for Certified Kubernetes Security (CKS). You should know about each subtopic and a detailed overview of these domains because the exam is conceptually based. You can qualify for exam certification if you have proper knowledge and experience in these domains.

Topics:	Weightage:
Cluster setup	10%
System hardening	15%
Minimize microservice vulnerability	15%
Supply chain Security	20%
Cluster hardening	20%
Monitoring, logging, and runtime security	20%

Cluster Setup:

Under cluster setup, the focus of the study is more on the security aspects of the cluster components. This includes Kubernetes Network Policies, Kubernetes CIS benchmark, Ingress Security, Kubernetes Node Metadata and Endpoints, Securing Kubernetes GUI, and Verify platform binaries before deploying.

Cluster Hardening:

Kubernetes Cluster Hardening has the following concepts: Restrict access to Kubernetes API, Use Role-Based Access Control to Minimize exposure, Exercise caution in using service accounts, Update Kubernetes frequency.

System Hardening:

System hardening aims at reducing vulnerabilities in applications and infrastructure components that reduce the attack surface.

Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities:

This topic is more about service-to-service communications. You need to learn all the core concepts and Kubernetes objects involved in securing communication between pods.

Supply Chain Security:

This topic includes, Minimize base image footprint, Securing your supply chain, Using statistical analysis of user workloads, Scan images for known vulnerabilities.

Monitoring, Logging, and Runtime Security:

This topic includes subtopics such as, Perform behavioral analytics of syscall process and file activities at the host and container level to detect malicious activities, Ensuring the immutability of containers at runtime, and others.

Preparations:

You can prepare these domains online from different websites such as Microsoft, Linkedin, ExamOut, and other websites. I have a smooth and great experience with the ExamOut website, so you can also follow these websites for study materials. You can have exam dumps, pdf files, online lectures, sample questions, online video lectures, and other study guides for the preparation of this exam certification.

Books for the Kubernetes securities:

The books for the preparation of the Kubernetes security exam are as follows by Liz Rice:

· Container Security

· Kubernetes Security

Registering for the CKS Exam:

Registering on the Linux Foundation Portal is the initial step to be taken towards the CKS certified Kubernetes security exam. When you register, you will have the time of one year to appear and schedule the CKS certified Kubernetes security certification exam. You will have two free attempts to pass this certification. If the scheduled exam is missed, you will not again get the chance for the certificate.

Resources of CKS:

The Kubernetes Cluster Hardening carries the 15% weightage in the exam of CKS. This Restricts access to the Kubernetes API and minimizes the exposure the controls of role-based access are used for. Kubernetes are frequently updated whenever you upgrade the cluster of Kubernetes.
Reducing the vulnerabilities in applications and the components infrastructure by which the attack surface is reduced system hardening is essential. To reduce the attack surface includes minimizing the OS footprint of the host, IAM roles, and the network’s external access. Kernel hardening tools are appropriately used like the second and the AppArmor.
Microservice Vulnerability Minimization is also essential, which includes the service-to-service communication and the core concepts are to be learned. The security domains of the appropriate OS level are set up, and the secrets of Kubernetes are Managed. In the multi-tenant environment, the container runtime sandboxes are used, and encryption is implemented using the MLS the pod to pod.
In the supply chain security, the base image footprints are minimized, and user workload’s static analysis is used. For the known vulnerabilities, the images should be scanned.
In the monitoring, logging, and security of runtime, the threats are detected within the network apps, users, data, and physical infrastructure.
All phases of the attacks, whether of where they occur and how they spread, are detected too. The lousy actor identification and analytical investigation are performed Within the environment, and the immutability of containers is ensured. To monitor the access, the Audit Logs are used.

How Can Apply For this Exam Certification:

This course belongs to the security specialists, Kubernetes Administrator, and the CKS certified Kubernetes security Attendees. So all the students who want to be professionals in this field can qualify for this exam certification. It will not only improve your job worth but also improve your skills and experience.