You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
LINUX FOUNDATIONCertified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
The Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) certification validates advanced, hands-on skills in securing Kubernetes clusters and cloud-native workloads. Designed for experienced Kubernetes practitioners, it covers cluster hardening, supply chain security, and runtime threat detection. Earning CKS proves you can implement and maintain robust security controls in production environments, making you a valuable asset for security-focused DevOps and SRE roles.
Exam formatPerformance-based (hands-on tasks from the command line)
Duration120 minutes
DeliveryLinux Foundation
Free questions566
Content last reviewed 30 July 2026 · Up to date
The certification
What Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
6domains
26objectives
179concepts
$445exam fee
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
Hands-on practical exam — no multiple-choice questions
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) is graded entirely on tasks you perform in a live environment, so there is no multiple-choice practice bank. To prepare: practice each objective hands-on in a real sandbox or lab; drill the key commands and workflows until they are second nature; work through timed task scenarios and verify your end state; and review the official documentation for every objective. The full objective breakdown is in the Curriculum tab.
About this certification
The Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) certification is a performance-based credential that validates your ability to secure Kubernetes clusters and containerized applications. Created by the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), this exam goes beyond theoretical knowledge, requiring you to solve real-world security challenges directly from the command line. It is designed for experienced Kubernetes administrators who want to demonstrate their expertise in cluster hardening, supply chain security, and runtime threat detection.
Earning the CKS certification proves you have the practical skills to implement robust security controls across the entire Kubernetes lifecycle. From configuring network policies and RBAC to securing the software supply chain and monitoring for malicious activity, you will be equipped to protect production environments against evolving threats. This globally recognized, vendor-neutral credential is a powerful differentiator for DevOps engineers, SREs, and cloud professionals seeking to advance their careers in cloud-native security.
Who it’s for
The CKS certification is intended for experienced Kubernetes practitioners who are responsible for securing Kubernetes clusters and cloud-native applications. This includes DevOps engineers, site reliability engineers (SREs), system administrators, and cloud professionals who want to validate their advanced security skills. Candidates should already have a strong foundation in Kubernetes administration and be comfortable working from the command line. This certification is ideal for those who want to demonstrate their ability to implement and maintain security best practices in production environments. It is also valuable for professionals looking to specialize in cloud-native security, as it covers a broad range of topics from cluster hardening to runtime threat detection.
Recommended experience
While not mandatory, the Linux Foundation recommends that candidates have a solid understanding of Kubernetes administration and security concepts. The exam is designed for intermediate-level professionals. Hands-on experience with Kubernetes cluster administration; Familiarity with Linux command-line tools and shell scripting; Understanding of Kubernetes security concepts such as RBAC, network policies, and pod security standards; Knowledge of container security best practices and supply chain security
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective Linux Foundation measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official Linux Foundation exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
Cluster Setup
- Secure Cluster Components
- Network Security
- Access Control
- Workload and Data Security
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities
- Minimize base image footprint
- Understand your supply chain (e.g. SBOM, CI/CD, artifact repositories)
- Secure your supply chain (permitted registries, sign and validate artifacts, etc.)
- Perform static analysis of user workloads and container images (e.g. Kubesec, KubeLinter)
Cluster Hardening
- Minimize host OS footprint (reduce attack surface)
- Using least-privilege identity and access management
- Minimize external access to the network
- Appropriately use kernel hardening tools such as AppArmor, seccomp
Supply Chain Security
- Perform behavioral analytics to detect malicious activities
- Detect threats within physical infrastructure, apps, networks, data, users and workloads
- Investigate and identify phases of attack and bad actors within the environment
- Ensure immutability of containers at runtime
- Use Kubernetes audit logs to monitor access
System Hardening
- Minimize host OS footprint (reduce attack surface)
- Using least-privilege identity and access management
- Minimize external access to the network
- Appropriately use kernel hardening tools such as AppArmor, seccomp
Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security
- Perform behavioral analytics to detect malicious activities
- Detect threats within physical infrastructure, apps, networks, data, users and workloads
- Investigate and identify phases of attack and bad actors within the environment
- Ensure immutability of containers at runtime
- Use Kubernetes audit logs to monitor access
On the day
The exam itself
Everything Linux Foundation publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
Must have passed the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam
CertificationCertified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
Exam formatPerformance-based (hands-on tasks from the command line)
Duration120 minutes
DeliveryLinux Foundation
LanguagesEnglish, Japanese
Pricing$445
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path Linux Foundation lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
PrerequisiteMust have passed the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam
Credential earnedCertified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) Certification Renewal and maintenance
The CKS certification is valid for two years. To renew, you must pass the current CKS exam again before the expiration date. Stay current with the latest technologies and maintain your certification.
Learn more about renewal requirements Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. Linux Foundation maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by Linux Foundation
Exam registration
Register for the exam through Linux Foundation, Linux Foundation’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official Linux Foundation certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
How does the CKS exam relate to the CKA exam?
The CKS exam is a higher-level security certification that requires you to have already passed the CKA exam. It builds on the CKA's Kubernetes administration skills and focuses specifically on security.
Is the CKS exam hands-on?
Yes, the CKS exam is a performance-based test that requires you to solve multiple tasks from a command line running Kubernetes. It is not a multiple-choice exam.
What is the retake policy for the CKS exam?
The CKS exam includes two exam attempts. If you fail the first attempt, you can retake it. The specific waiting period between attempts is not published on the official page.
Are there any exam simulators available for CKS?
Yes, once enrolled, you receive access to an exam simulator provided by Killer.sh. You get two simulation attempts, each with 36 hours of access, and each session includes 17 questions with graded results.
What job roles does the CKS certification map to?
The CKS certification is best suited for advanced professionals working as DevOps, SRE, SysAdmin, and Cloud Professionals who want to demonstrate their Kubernetes security skills.
Can I recertify by passing a different exam?
No, the CKS certification must be renewed by passing the current CKS exam again. There is no alternative exam for renewal.
Is the CKS exam available in multiple languages?
The exam interface is available in English and Japanese, as indicated on the official Japanese page.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2026-07-30 Up to date
Practice free questions 566 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept Linux Foundation measures — each one written out.
6domains
26objectives
179concepts
123free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official Linux Foundation exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
1Cluster Setup94 questions
2Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities95 questions
Minimize base image footprint8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Understand your supply chain (e.g. SBOM, CI/CD, artifact repositories)7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Secure your supply chain (permitted registries, sign and validate artifacts, etc.)4 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Perform static analysis of user workloads and container images (e.g. Kubesec, KubeLinter)6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
3Cluster Hardening72 questions
Minimize host OS footprint (reduce attack surface)6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Using least-privilege identity and access management7 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Minimize external access to the network9 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Appropriately use kernel hardening tools such as AppArmor, seccomp7 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
4Supply Chain Security115 questions
Perform behavioral analytics to detect malicious activities6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Detect threats within physical infrastructure, apps, networks, data, users and workloads7 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Investigate and identify phases of attack and bad actors within the environment5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Ensure immutability of containers at runtime5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Use Kubernetes audit logs to monitor access5 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →
5System Hardening79 questions
Minimize host OS footprint (reduce attack surface)7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Using least-privilege identity and access management8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Minimize external access to the network6 concepts · 2 pagesOpen →Appropriately use kernel hardening tools such as AppArmor, seccomp7 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →
6Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security111 questions
Perform behavioral analytics to detect malicious activities7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Detect threats within physical infrastructure, apps, networks, data, users and workloads7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Investigate and identify phases of attack and bad actors within the environment5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Ensure immutability of containers at runtime5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Use Kubernetes audit logs to monitor access6 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
Secure Cluster Components5 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
25 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
566 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
566questions
123pages
26objectives
Freealways
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1Cluster Setup94 questions
2Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities95 questions
3Cluster Hardening72 questions
4Supply Chain Security115 questions
5System Hardening79 questions
6Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security111 questions
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
179concepts
566free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from Linux Foundation
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
2official links
179concepts mapped
The source
Linux Foundation’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official Linux Foundation outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 26 objectives, 179 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When Linux Foundation changes the outline, this page changes with it.
26objectives on the outline→179concepts written→566free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.