Linux Foundation and CNCF

CKS Security Specialist

Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist

The hands-on exam on securing Kubernetes clusters and container applications. You solve the tasks on the command line in a running cluster.

Matching training How to take the exam
Scope
120 min, performance-based tasks
Validity
2 Jahre
Prerequisite
CKA
Where
Online, proctored

Kubernetes certifications

  1. Entry KCNA Cloud Native Associate
  2. Entry KCSA Security Associate
  3. Practice CKA Administrator
  4. Practice CKAD Application Developer
  5. you are here CKS Security Specialist

No linear sequence: choose by your role. Only CKS requires a passed CKA.

who_its_for

Who CKS is for

  • DevOps, SRE, system administration and cloud professionals holding a CKA
  • Everyone who wants to prove security skills for Kubernetes
exam

Exam topics

  • Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities20 %
  • Supply Chain Security20 %
  • Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security20 %
  • Cluster Setup15 %
  • Cluster Hardening15 %
  • System Hardening10 %

Share of each topic in the exam according to Linux Foundation.

According to the Linux Foundation, you must have passed the CKA exam before taking the CKS.

process

How to get CKS

  1. Review the exam domains. The weighting shows what matters.
  2. Prepare. With a course at one of our partners or through self-study.
  3. Buy the exam from the Linux Foundation. You then have 12 months to schedule and take it.
  4. Take it online. Proctored. One retake is included.
trainings

Training for preparation

There is currently no course for CKS.

Ask us: we will check with our training partners what is possible.

Request training All Kubernetes courses

Information according to training.linuxfoundation.org, as of October 2026. CKS is a trademark of The Linux Foundation.