The Linux Foundation and CNCF have officially rolled out a major update to the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam, effective October 15, 2024. If you’re planning to take the CKS exam or already preparing for it, this update is important — especially one significant change that candidates should be aware of:
🔥 Major Update: No More Active CKA Requirement!
Until now, candidates needed to have an active Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification to schedule the CKS exam. This rule has now been relaxed.
✅ New Rule (Effective Oct 15, 2024):
Candidates must have passed the CKA exam at any time. An active CKA certification is no longer required to take the CKS exam.
This change makes it easier for professionals who’ve passed CKA in the past (even if it’s expired) to move forward with their CKS certification without retaking the CKA exam just to meet eligibility.
This is a big win for the Kubernetes community, as many professionals who’ve already demonstrated admin-level skills can now focus on specializing in Kubernetes security — without the burden of renewing CKA just for eligibility.
🔄 What Else Has Changed in the CKS Exam?
Besides the prerequisite update, the exam content has also been refreshed to reflect the evolving landscape of Kubernetes security. Here’s what’s new:
🧱 Domain Weightage Updates
- Cluster Setup: Increased from 10% → 15%
- Supply Chain Security: Increased from 15% → 20%
- Monitoring, Logging & Runtime Security: Increased from 15% → 20%
🆕 New Tools & Topics Added
- TLS Configuration for Ingress
- Protecting Node Metadata & Endpoints
- Static Analysis with Kubesec, KubeLinter
- SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) and Supply Chain Risk
- Behavioral Analytics & Runtime Protection
🧪 What Should You Do Now?
- ✅ If you’ve passed CKA anytime in the past — you’re eligible for CKS. No need to renew CKA just to sit for the exam.
- 🔁 If you’re already preparing for CKS, review the updated exam curriculum and adjust your learning accordingly.
- 🧠 Focus on practical hands-on skills in Kubernetes security, supply chain protection, and runtime defense.
📌 Final Thoughts
This update makes the CKS exam more accessible and better aligned with current cloud-native security practices. With modern threats targeting the Kubernetes ecosystem, this new version of the exam is a step forward in preparing professionals to secure Kubernetes clusters effectively.
If you’re planning to take the CKS, now is the right time to start — especially with the CKA eligibility change lowering the entry barrier.
Reference Link : Linux Foundation