Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)

Libraries: If you want this lab, consider one of these libraries.
Cloud
Security

Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) - Practice Exam Part 1

This lab provides practice scenarios to help prepare you for the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam. You will be presented with tasks to complete, as well as server(s) and/or an existing Kubernetes cluster to complete them in. You will need to use your knowledge of Kubernetes to successfully complete the provided tasks, much like you would on the real CKS exam. Good luck!

Get started Contact sales

Lab Info

Level

Intermediate

Last updated

Sep 23, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Fix a Pod's Service Account That Has Too Many Permissions
1. The buffy Pod in the sunnydale namespace has a buffy-sa ServiceAccount with permissions the Pod doesn't need. Modify the attached Role so that it only has the ability to list pods.
2. Then, create a new Role called watch-services-secrets that grants permission to watch, services, and secrets.
3. Bind the Role to the ServiceAccount with a RoleBinding called buffy-sa-watch-rb.
Note: You can find skeleton manifests for the new role and RoleBinding on the CLI server at:

/home/cloud_user/watch-services-secrets.yml

/home/cloud_user/buffy-sa-watch-rb.yml
Challenge

Fix a Pod Configured to Use an Incorrect Service Account
A Pod in the cluster cannot be created properly because its ServiceAccount is misconfigured.
1. The Pod is meant to live in the bespin namespace. Delete the existing ServiceAccount from this namespace.
2. Create a new ServiceAccount called lando-sa.
3. Configure the Pod to use the lando-sa ServiceAccount.
4. Create the Pod.
Note: You can find the Pod manifest at /home/cloud_user/lando.yml on the CLI server.

About the author

Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

Real skill practice before real-world application

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Learn by doing

Engage hands-on with the tools and technologies you’re learning. You pick the skill, we provide the credentials and environment.

Follow your guide

All labs have detailed instructions and objectives, guiding you through the learning process and ensuring you understand every step.

Turn time into mastery

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you take time to practice. Hands-on labs set you up for success to make those skills stick.