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200-201 Practice Question: Is designing a network to prevent an attacker who…
A security engineer is designing a network to prevent an attacker who gains access to a web server from easily pivoting to the internal database server. Which architecture best achieves this goal?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that host-based firewalls or VLANs alone provide sufficient segmentation, when in fact network-level DMZ isolation with explicit direction-based firewall rules is required to prevent lateral movement after a perimeter breach.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Place the web server in a DMZ and the database server on the internal network, with a firewall blocking outbound traffic from DMZ to internal
Placing the web server in a DMZ and the database server on the internal network, with a firewall blocking outbound traffic from the DMZ to internal, prevents an attacker who compromises the web server from initiating connections to the internal database server. This implements a default-deny rule for DMZ-to-internal traffic, forcing all database access to be initiated from the internal network only, which breaks the pivot chain. The DMZ acts as a buffer zone, isolating publicly accessible services from sensitive internal resources.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Place both servers on the internal network with host-based firewalls
Why it's wrong here
Host firewalls can be bypassed if the attacker gains admin privileges.
- ✓
Place the web server in a DMZ and the database server on the internal network, with a firewall blocking outbound traffic from DMZ to internal
Why this is correct
DMZ isolates web server; blocking outbound from DMZ prevents pivot.
- ✗
Use a VPN between the web server and database server
Why it's wrong here
VPN adds encryption but does not prevent pivoting if the web server is compromised.
- ✗
Place both servers on the same VLAN with a firewall between them
Why it's wrong here
Same VLAN reduces segmentation; firewall alone may not block all lateral movement.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.