200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
A security team is implementing a defense-in-depth strategy and wants to ensure that even if an attacker compromises a web server, the attacker cannot easily move laterally to the internal database server. Which security principle is being applied when the team segments the network and restricts traffic between the web tier and the database tier?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is choosing the umbrella term defense in depth when the scenario describes the specific control of network segmentation.
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
✓
Network segmentation
Segmenting the network and restricting traffic between the web and database tiers limits an attacker's ability to move laterally after compromising a web server. This is the principle of network segmentation, which reduces the attack surface and contains breaches within a zone.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Network segmentation
Why this is correct
Network segmentation divides a network into isolated zones and enforces traffic controls between them. By restricting traffic from the web tier to the database tier, the team limits lateral movement, so a compromised web server cannot freely reach the database. This directly matches the described control and its purpose.
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Zero trust
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust is a model that requires continuous verification of every user and device regardless of location. While segmentation is a component of zero trust, the scenario describes a specific segmentation control between tiers, not the broader zero-trust architecture with identity verification and micro-segmentation policies.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege means granting users or processes only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks. While segmentation supports least privilege, the scenario specifically describes limiting network pathways between tiers to contain a compromise, which is the principle of least functionality or network segmentation, not least privilege alone.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth is the overall strategy of layering multiple security controls. The question asks which principle is applied by segmenting and restricting traffic between tiers, which is a specific implementation of network segmentation, not the broader concept of defense in depth itself.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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