- A
Keep one flat network and increase endpoint antivirus scanning frequency.
Why wrong: More scanning may help detection, but it does not create isolation. A flat network still allows easier lateral movement.
- B
Place finance systems and user devices in separate VLANs and allow only the necessary print and business application traffic through filtering rules.
This design reduces lateral movement by separating high-value systems from general user devices. VLANs create logical segmentation, and targeted filtering permits only the traffic required for printing and approved business flows. It preserves functionality while sharply reducing the number of systems reachable after a compromise.
- C
Move all printers into the finance VLAN to avoid managing inter-VLAN rules.
Why wrong: Putting printers inside the finance zone increases exposure to a sensitive network. It simplifies administration at the expense of security.
- D
Disable printing so user workstations cannot communicate with any other device.
Why wrong: This is unnecessarily disruptive and would break a core business function. It also fails to address segmentation for other device classes.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 branch office has users, finance workstations, printers, and IP phones on one flat network. The security team wants to reduce lateral movement if one user PC is compromised, but printers still need to receive print jobs from users. What is the best design change?
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
Place finance systems and user devices in separate VLANs and allow only the necessary print and business application traffic through filtering rules.
Option B is correct because segmenting the flat network into separate VLANs for finance systems and user devices enforces network segmentation, which limits lateral movement. By using VLANs and firewall rules to allow only necessary traffic (e.g., print jobs via IPP or SMB, and business application traffic), the organization reduces the attack surface while maintaining required functionality. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and zero trust architecture.
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.
- ✗
Keep one flat network and increase endpoint antivirus scanning frequency.
Why it's wrong here
More scanning may help detection, but it does not create isolation. A flat network still allows easier lateral movement.
- ✓
Place finance systems and user devices in separate VLANs and allow only the necessary print and business application traffic through filtering rules.
Why this is correct
This design reduces lateral movement by separating high-value systems from general user devices. VLANs create logical segmentation, and targeted filtering permits only the traffic required for printing and approved business flows. It preserves functionality while sharply reducing the number of systems reachable after a compromise.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Move all printers into the finance VLAN to avoid managing inter-VLAN rules.
Why it's wrong here
Putting printers inside the finance zone increases exposure to a sensitive network. It simplifies administration at the expense of security.
- ✗
Disable printing so user workstations cannot communicate with any other device.
Why it's wrong here
This is unnecessarily disruptive and would break a core business function. It also fails to address segmentation for other device classes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Option C, mistakenly thinking that consolidating printers into the finance VLAN simplifies management, but they overlook that printers are notoriously insecure and would become a bridge for lateral movement into the finance segment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLANs operate at Layer 2, isolating broadcast domains, while inter-VLAN routing (typically via a Layer 3 switch or firewall) enforces access control lists (ACLs) to permit only specific protocols like TCP 9100 (raw printing) or UDP 5353 (mDNS for AirPrint). In a real-world scenario, a compromised user PC in a separate VLAN cannot ARP-scan or directly connect to finance workstations, but can still send print jobs to a printer in a shared VLAN if the ACL allows that traffic, effectively containing the breach.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 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: Place finance systems and user devices in separate VLANs and allow only the necessary print and business application traffic through filtering rules. — Option B is correct because segmenting the flat network into separate VLANs for finance systems and user devices enforces network segmentation, which limits lateral movement. By using VLANs and firewall rules to allow only necessary traffic (e.g., print jobs via IPP or SMB, and business application traffic), the organization reduces the attack surface while maintaining required functionality. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and zero trust architecture.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 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 SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
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