The correct answer is least privilege, as this design restricts database access exclusively to the specific application server that requires it. This security concept dictates that users, processes, or systems should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their functions, thereby reducing the attack surface. In this scenario, applying least privilege to network segmentation means implementing access control lists or firewall rules that permit traffic solely from the application server’s IP address to the database port, effectively enforcing the principle at the network layer. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this concept often appears in questions about access control design, where a common trap is confusing least privilege with defense in depth or separation of duties. A helpful memory tip: think “need-to-know at the network level”—only allow the specific path required, nothing more.
200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A network engineer is designing a segmented network to protect a sensitive database. The database must be accessible only from a specific application server. Which security concept best describes this design?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Least privilege
Option D, least privilege, is correct because the design restricts access to the sensitive database to only the specific application server that requires it. This principle dictates that users, processes, or systems should be granted the minimum permissions necessary to perform their functions, thereby reducing the attack surface. By implementing network access control lists (ACLs) or firewall rules that permit traffic solely from the application server's IP address to the database port, the engineer enforces least privilege at the network layer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth involves multiple layers of security, not just restricting access to one server.
✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties is about dividing responsibilities among different people to prevent fraud.
✗
Weakest link
Why it's wrong here
Weakest link refers to the most vulnerable component in a system.
✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege ensures that entities have only the access necessary to perform their functions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests least privilege by framing it as a network segmentation or access control question, and the trap here is confusing it with defense in depth because both involve multiple layers, but least privilege specifically focuses on granting only the necessary permissions rather than layering controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, least privilege is often implemented using role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based access control (ABAC) at the application layer, but at the network layer it is enforced via stateful firewall rules or VLAN ACLs that match source IP, destination IP, and port (e.g., TCP/1433 for SQL Server or TCP/3306 for MySQL). A subtle behavior is that least privilege must also consider dynamic ports or service accounts; for instance, if the application server uses a service account with elevated database privileges, the network restriction alone does not prevent that account from being abused if compromised. In a real-world scenario, a PCI DSS audit would require that only the application tier can reach the database tier, with all other traffic explicitly denied, demonstrating least privilege in a three-tier architecture.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Least privilege — Option D, least privilege, is correct because the design restricts access to the sensitive database to only the specific application server that requires it. This principle dictates that users, processes, or systems should be granted the minimum permissions necessary to perform their functions, thereby reducing the attack surface. By implementing network access control lists (ACLs) or firewall rules that permit traffic solely from the application server's IP address to the database port, the engineer enforces least privilege at the network layer.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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