- A
Create separate VLANs and apply ACLs between device groups based on business need.
Separate VLANs establish different trust zones, and ACLs limit only the necessary traffic between them.
- B
Increase the DHCP lease time so devices keep the same IP addresses longer.
Why wrong: Longer leases improve address stability but do not reduce lateral movement or isolate compromised endpoints.
- C
Replace the switches with unmanaged models to simplify configuration.
Why wrong: Unmanaged switches remove security controls and make segmentation and policy enforcement much harder.
- D
Disable the cameras' encryption so the recording server can process traffic faster.
Why wrong: Removing encryption weakens confidentiality and does nothing to stop infected workstations from reaching other systems.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create separate VLANs and apply ACLs between device groups based on business need. This works because VLANs segment the network into isolated broadcast domains at Layer 2, preventing infected workstations from directly reaching badge readers, while ACLs enforce granular Layer 3/4 traffic control between those VLANs—allowing only the cameras to communicate with the recording server. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation as a foundational defense against lateral movement, often appearing in questions about IoT or mixed-device environments. A common trap is to jump straight to host-based firewalls or patching, but the first step must be logical separation at the switch level. Remember the mnemonic: **VLANs block the path, ACLs guard the gate**—always segment before you filter.
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 hospital has clinical workstations, badge readers, and building cameras all connected to the same switching infrastructure. After a workstation infection, the security team wants to prevent those endpoints from laterally reaching the badge readers while still allowing the cameras to report to a recording server. What should be implemented first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Create separate VLANs and apply ACLs between device groups based on business need.
Creating separate VLANs segments the network into distinct broadcast domains, preventing workstations from directly reaching badge readers at Layer 2. Applying ACLs between VLANs then enforces granular access control, allowing only the cameras to communicate with the recording server while blocking lateral movement from infected endpoints. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and is the foundational step for network segmentation.
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.
- ✓
Create separate VLANs and apply ACLs between device groups based on business need.
Why this is correct
Separate VLANs establish different trust zones, and ACLs limit only the necessary traffic between them.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the DHCP lease time so devices keep the same IP addresses longer.
Why it's wrong here
Longer leases improve address stability but do not reduce lateral movement or isolate compromised endpoints.
- ✗
Replace the switches with unmanaged models to simplify configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Unmanaged switches remove security controls and make segmentation and policy enforcement much harder.
- ✗
Disable the cameras' encryption so the recording server can process traffic faster.
Why it's wrong here
Removing encryption weakens confidentiality and does nothing to stop infected workstations from reaching other systems.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often overlook the need for Layer 2 segmentation (VLANs) as a prerequisite for Layer 3/4 ACLs, mistakenly thinking ACLs alone on a flat network can block lateral movement between devices in the same subnet.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLANs operate at Layer 2 by tagging frames with 802.1Q headers, isolating traffic into separate broadcast domains even when sharing the same physical switch. ACLs can be applied as VLAN ACLs (VACLs) or on routed interfaces (SVI) to filter traffic based on source/destination IP, port, or protocol—for example, permitting only TCP/554 (RTSP) from cameras to the recording server while denying all traffic from workstations to badge readers. In a real hospital, this prevents a ransomware outbreak on clinical workstations from spreading to access control systems, which could otherwise allow an attacker to unlock doors.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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: Create separate VLANs and apply ACLs between device groups based on business need. — Creating separate VLANs segments the network into distinct broadcast domains, preventing workstations from directly reaching badge readers at Layer 2. Applying ACLs between VLANs then enforces granular access control, allowing only the cameras to communicate with the recording server while blocking lateral movement from infected endpoints. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and is the foundational step for network segmentation.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A manufacturing floor uses barcode scanners and a kiosk terminal that cannot support full endpoint agents or frequent manual patching. USB storage has previously introduced malware, and the devices only need to run one approved application and reach a backend system. Which two controls best reduce risk while preserving function? Select two.
hard- ✓ A.Isolate the scanners and kiosk terminal on a dedicated VLAN that allows only the required backend ports.
- B.Place the devices on the user VLAN so patching and support tools can reach them easily.
- ✓ C.Enforce kiosk mode or application allowlisting so only the approved application can run.
- D.Allow USB storage so updates can be installed manually whenever needed.
- E.Use local administrator accounts with shared passwords to reduce support calls.
Why A: Option A is correct because isolating the barcode scanners and kiosk terminal on a dedicated VLAN with strict ACLs that permit only the required backend ports (e.g., TCP 443 for HTTPS or a specific application port) prevents lateral movement from infected devices and blocks unauthorized traffic, including USB-borne malware propagation. This network segmentation does not require endpoint agents or patching, preserving the devices' limited functionality while reducing the attack surface.
Variation 2. Based on the exhibit, which network change best isolates finance workstations from general user PCs while still allowing printing and application access? VLAN table: - VLAN 20 Users: 10.20.20.0/24 - VLAN 30 Finance: 10.20.30.0/24 - VLAN 40 Printers: 10.20.40.0/24 - VLAN 50 Accounting App: 10.20.50.0/24 Current SVI routing policy: permit ip any any Management goal: Finance devices must not initiate traffic to User VLAN 20, but they must be able to print and access the accounting application.
medium- A.Put finance workstations on the same VLAN as the printers to simplify access.
- ✓ B.Add inter-VLAN ACLs that deny Finance VLAN access to User VLAN 20 while permitting Finance VLAN traffic to VLAN 40 and VLAN 50.
- C.Remove routing between all VLANs and let users print through email attachments.
- D.Place the accounting application in the User VLAN so finance devices no longer need segmentation.
Why B: Option B is correct because it uses inter-VLAN ACLs to enforce the principle of least privilege: denying traffic from the Finance VLAN (10.20.30.0/24) to the User VLAN (10.20.20.0/24) while explicitly permitting traffic to the Printer VLAN (10.20.40.0/24) and the Accounting App VLAN (10.20.50.0/24). This preserves the required segmentation and still allows the necessary services (printing and application access) without altering the existing VLAN structure or routing policy.
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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