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CAS-004 Practice Question: A multinational organization is adopting a zero…
A multinational organization is adopting a zero trust architecture and needs to align its network segmentation with regulatory requirements. The compliance team has identified that certain data must be isolated to meet PCI DSS scope reduction. Which of the following design approaches BEST supports both zero trust and PCI DSS compliance?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that VLANs are sufficient for security segmentation, but the trap here is that VLANs lack the identity-aware, dynamic policy enforcement and east-west traffic control required by zero trust, and they do not provide the auditable, scope-reducing isolation that PCI DSS demands.
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
✓
Implementing microsegmentation with software-defined networking
Microsegmentation with software-defined networking (SDN) enables granular, identity-aware isolation of workloads at the virtual network layer, which directly supports zero trust's 'never trust, always verify' principle by restricting lateral movement. For PCI DSS scope reduction, microsegmentation allows the organization to create a logical, auditable boundary around cardholder data environment (CDE) assets without relying on physical network topology, thereby reducing the scope of PCI DSS compliance assessments. This approach is superior because it provides dynamic, policy-driven segmentation that can adapt to regulatory changes while maintaining strict least-privilege access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Deploying VLANs to separate cardholder data from other traffic
Why it's wrong here
VLANs provide segmentation but are less dynamic and granular than microsegmentation.
- ✓
Implementing microsegmentation with software-defined networking
Why this is correct
Microsegmentation enables fine-grained, dynamic isolation and aligns with zero trust.
- ✗
Using network access control (NAC) to enforce endpoint compliance
Why it's wrong here
NAC controls access but does not provide the necessary segmentation for PCI DSS scope reduction.
- ✗
Placing all systems that process cardholder data in a DMZ
Why it's wrong here
DMZ is for external-facing systems, not appropriate for all cardholder data environments.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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