Who Is It For
A Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) is an accomplished Kubernetes practitioner (must be CKA certified) who has demonstrated competence on a broad range of best practices for securing container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment and runtime.
About This Certification
CKS is a performance-based certification exam that tests candidates’ knowledge of Kubernetes and cloud security in a simulated, real world environment. Candidates must have taken and passed the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam prior to attempting the CKS exam. CKS may be purchased but not scheduled until CKA certification has been achieved.
CKA Certification must be active (non-expired) on the date the CKS exam (including Retakes) is scheduled.
What It Demonstrates
Obtaining a CKS demonstrates a candidate possesses the requisite abilities to secure container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment and runtime, and is qualified to perform these tasks in a professional setting.
The certification exam tests specific domains and competencies including:
| Domains & Competencies | Weight |
| Cluster Setup – 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 | 10% |
| Cluster Hardening – 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 | 15% |
| System Hardening – 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 | 15% |
| Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities – 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 | 20% |
| Supply Chain Security – 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 | 20% |
| Monitoring, Logging, and Runtime Security – 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 | 20% |
Exam Details & Resources
This exam is an online, proctored, performance-based test that requires solving multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes. Candidates have 2 hours to complete the tasks.
Candidates who register for the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam will have 2 attempts (per exam registration) to an exam simulator, provided by Killer.sh.
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) candidates must have taken and passed the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam prior to attempting the CKS exam.
CKS may be purchased but not scheduled until CKA certification has been achieved.
CKA Certification must be active (non-expired) on the date the CKS exam (including Retakes) is scheduled.
The exam is based on Kubernetes v1.23
The CKS exam environment will be aligned with the most recent K8s minor version within approximately 4 to 8 weeks of the K8s release date
Please review the Candidate Handbook, Curriculum Overview and Exam Tips along with other recommended resources below.
- Candidate Handbook
- Curriculum Overview
- Exam Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Linux Foundation Global Certification and Confidentiality Agreement
- Verify Certification
- Exam Environment Demo
PrerequisitesActive
(non-expired) CKA certification is a prerequisite for this exam.
