I’m currently preparing for the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam and thought I’d open up a discussion on what the journey looks like — what’s worked, what’s been hard, and how others are structuring their preparation. I’m using the KodeKloud CKS path (their hands-on labs, challenges, and roadmap) for my study base and supplementing with other resources to ensure I’m ready for the practical nature of the exam.
What I’m focusing on and finding challenging:
From what I’ve seen so far, several areas stand out as being both critical and tricky:
Cluster setup & hardening: Making sure the cluster environment is locked down (CIS benchmarks, API server security, TLS, etc).
System hardening + runtime security: Not just Kubernetes objects, but securing the underlying OS, container runtime, using tools like audit logs, Falco, etc.
Supply chain & microservice vulnerabilities: Ensuring image signing, verifying images, using minimal base images, setting up proper admission controls, network policies.
Hands-on speed: Since the exam is performance-based, it’s less about memorizing commands and more about quickly applying real configurations under time pressure.
My study structure / resources
Here’s how I’ve organised my preparation:
I’m following the KodeKloud CKS course and learning path (which clearly maps to the exam domains: attack surface, cluster setup, system hardening, etc).
I’m doing all the KodeKloud hands-on labs and challenge sets. Their lab approach is strong for this exam’s style where you’re working in real hands-on environments.
KodeKloud
For additional practice, I’m using Linux Foundation and Pass4Future CKS practice questions to test my recall and identify weak spots (I always cross-check everything I encounter in the mocks with the official docs).
I’m regularly revisiting the official Kubernetes documentation during practice because the exam allows using it — if you know how to navigate it quickly, you’ll save time on exam day.
I’m also participating in community forums (Slack/Discord for KodeKloud, Kubernetes community topics) to exchange tips, ask questions, and see how others face similar challenges.
I’ve scheduled dedicated lab time (2–3 hours/day) plus review time (reading docs, going over mistakes) for the last 4–5 weeks.
A few things I’d love your input on
Which exam domain did you personally find most time-consuming or surprising?
How did you split your study between reading/documentation vs hands-on labs vs mock questions?
Any tools or techniques you found excellent for preparing under time pressure (e.g., practicing timed tasks, using templates, mastering kubectl shortcuts)?
If you used any extra resources (books, blogs, video series) aside from KodeKloud, what gave you the best “real-world scenario” feel?
I believe a thread like this will help not just me, but others getting ready for the CKS exam to focus on the right topics, avoid common pitfalls, and build confidence with practical readiness.
Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts and shared experiences!