- A
Apply micro-segmentation to isolate the billing system and allow only finance VLAN traffic
Why wrong: Micro-segmentation reduces lateral movement but does not address the compromised credentials issue; the attacker could still authenticate from the finance VLAN.
- B
Remove the VPN and allow finance employees to access the billing system directly via RDP over the internet
Why wrong: Direct RDP exposure is highly insecure and would increase the attack surface.
- C
Implement a jump server with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and session recording, and restrict the VPN to only allow access to the jump server
This adds an extra layer of security and auditability, preventing direct access to the billing system.
- D
Upgrade the billing system to support OAuth 2.0 and integrate it with the ZTNA SDP
Why wrong: The legacy system may not be upgradeable, and this is a longer-term solution that may not be immediately feasible.
CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 large healthcare organization has implemented a zero-trust network architecture (ZTNA) to secure access to its electronic health record (EHR) system. The architecture uses a software-defined perimeter (SDP) where all users must authenticate and be authorized before accessing the EHR. The EHR system is hosted in a private cloud and communicates with a legacy billing system that cannot support modern authentication protocols. The billing system is accessed by a small number of finance employees via a dedicated VPN. Recently, an auditor discovered that a finance employee's credentials were compromised, and the attacker used the VPN to access the billing system and exfiltrate patient billing data. The security architect must prevent such lateral movement while maintaining access for legitimate users. Which of the following is the BEST course of action?
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 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
Implement a jump server with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and session recording, and restrict the VPN to only allow access to the jump server
Option C is correct because a jump server with MFA and session recording creates a controlled, auditable choke point that prevents lateral movement from the VPN to the billing system. By restricting the VPN to only allow access to the jump server, the attacker cannot directly reach the billing system even with compromised VPN credentials, and MFA adds an additional layer of authentication. Session recording provides forensic evidence for post-incident analysis, addressing the auditor's concern without requiring the legacy billing system to support modern protocols.
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.
- ✗
Apply micro-segmentation to isolate the billing system and allow only finance VLAN traffic
Why it's wrong here
Micro-segmentation reduces lateral movement but does not address the compromised credentials issue; the attacker could still authenticate from the finance VLAN.
- ✗
Remove the VPN and allow finance employees to access the billing system directly via RDP over the internet
Why it's wrong here
Direct RDP exposure is highly insecure and would increase the attack surface.
- ✓
Implement a jump server with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and session recording, and restrict the VPN to only allow access to the jump server
Why this is correct
This adds an extra layer of security and auditability, preventing direct access to the billing system.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Upgrade the billing system to support OAuth 2.0 and integrate it with the ZTNA SDP
Why it's wrong here
The legacy system may not be upgradeable, and this is a longer-term solution that may not be immediately feasible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose micro-segmentation (Option A) thinking it prevents lateral movement, but they overlook that the compromised VPN credentials already provide authenticated access to the network segment, so micro-segmentation alone does not stop the attacker from reaching the billing system within the same VLAN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A jump server (bastion host) acts as a single entry point that terminates VPN connections and enforces MFA before allowing any onward connections, typically using SSH or RDP proxying. Session recording captures all keystrokes and screen output, which is critical for compliance in healthcare under HIPAA audit requirements. In practice, the VPN should be configured with a route that only points to the jump server's IP address, preventing any direct network access to the billing system's subnet.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAS-004 question test?
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement a jump server with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and session recording, and restrict the VPN to only allow access to the jump server — Option C is correct because a jump server with MFA and session recording creates a controlled, auditable choke point that prevents lateral movement from the VPN to the billing system. By restricting the VPN to only allow access to the jump server, the attacker cannot directly reach the billing system even with compromised VPN credentials, and MFA adds an additional layer of authentication. Session recording provides forensic evidence for post-incident analysis, addressing the auditor's concern without requiring the legacy billing system to support modern protocols.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CAS-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-004 exam.
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