Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A company runs payroll and HR application servers on the same VLAN because a redesign is not possible this quarter. Security wants to reduce lateral movement if one workload is compromised, but the team cannot renumber the environment or add new physical firewalls. Which control best fits the requirement?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Move the servers into a single larger subnet so internal routing is simplified
This would make segmentation weaker, not stronger. Combining systems into a larger subnet usually expands broadcast scope and makes it easier for an attacker to move laterally once inside.
B
Best answer
Implement microsegmentation with host-based or distributed firewall rules between workloads
Microsegmentation is the best fit when the organization cannot redesign the network but still needs to isolate workloads more tightly. Host-based or distributed firewall rules can restrict east-west traffic between individual servers, even when they share the same VLAN. That reduces lateral movement far better than coarse VLAN-only separation and does not require renumbering the environment.
C
Distractor review
Place the servers behind a network address translation device to hide their IP addresses
NAT can hide addressing details, but it does not provide meaningful internal segmentation or limit east-west access between the workloads. An attacker who compromises one host may still reach the other if no filtering exists.
D
Distractor review
Rely on password rotation and MFA for administrative logins only
Authentication hardening helps protect accounts, but it does not isolate compromised workloads from each other. The question is about limiting lateral movement inside the environment, which requires traffic enforcement between systems.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement microsegmentation with host-based or distributed firewall rules between workloads — Microsegmentation is designed for exactly this kind of constraint: the organization keeps the existing network layout, but adds fine-grained policy between individual workloads. By enforcing host-level or distributed firewall rules, security can allow only approved application flows and block unnecessary east-west connections. That makes compromise containment much stronger than relying on a shared VLAN or perimeter controls alone. Why others are wrong: Option A weakens the design by enlarging the blast radius. Option C is only address obfuscation and does not enforce traffic boundaries. Option D protects logins, but the problem is workload-to-workload movement after compromise, which authentication alone cannot stop.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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