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Linux Foundation CKS Exam Syllabus

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Before starting your CKS exam preparation, it is recommended to review the complete Linux Foundation Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist exam syllabus and carefully go through the exam objectives listed below. Once you understand the exam structure and objectives, you should practice using our free CKS questions. We also provide premium CKS practice test, fully updated according to the latest exam objectives, to help you accurately assess your preparedness for the actual exam.

Linux Foundation CKS Exam Objectives

Section Weight Objectives
Cluster Setup 15%
  • Use Network security policies to restrict cluster level access
  • Use CIS benchmark to review the security configuration of Kubernetes components (etcd, kubelet, kubedns, kubeapi)
  • Properly set up Ingress objects with security control
  • Protect node metadata and endpoints
  • Minimize use of, and access to, GUI elements
  • Verify platform binaries before deploying
Cluster Hardening 15%
  • Restrict access to Kubernetes API
  • Use Role Based Access Controls to minimize exposure
  • Exercise caution in using service accounts e.g. disable defaults, minimize permissions on newly created ones
  • Update Kubernetes frequently
System Hardening 10%
  • Minimize host OS footprint (reduce attack surface)
  • Minimize IAM roles
  • Minimize external access to the network
  • Appropriately use kernel hardening tools such as AppArmor, seccomp
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities 20%
  • Setup appropriate OS level security domains e.g. using PSP, OPA, security contexts
  • Manage Kubernetes secrets
  • Use container runtime sandboxes in multi-tenant environments (e.g. gvisor, kata containers)
  • Implement pod to pod encryption by use of mTLS
Supply Chain Security 20%
  • Minimize base image footprint
  • Secure your supply chain: whitelist allowed registries, sign and validate images
  • Use static analysis of user workloads (e.g.Kubernetes resources, Docker files)
  • Scan images for known vulnerabilities
Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security 20%
  • Perform behavioral analytics of syscall process and file activities at the host and container level to detect malicious activities
  • Detect threats within physical infrastructure, apps, networks, data, users and workloads
  • Detect all phases of attack regardless where it occurs and how it spreads
  • Perform deep analytical investigation and identification of bad actors within environment
  • Ensure immutability of containers at runtime
  • Use Audit Logs to monitor access
Official Information https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-security-specialist/#exams

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