Question 1,133 of 1,152

Security Architecture →easyMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to use SSH for command-line administration and require a VPN before allowing access to the management network. SSH provides encrypted, authenticated remote access to the switch’s command line, replacing insecure protocols like Telnet, while the VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel over the internet that hides the switch management interfaces from direct exposure. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this pairing tests your understanding of defense in depth and network segmentation, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose controls that prevent direct internet exposure of management ports. A common trap is selecting Telnet because it is familiar, but remember Telnet sends credentials in cleartext. For a memory tip, think “VPN for the tunnel, SSH for the terminal” to recall that VPN secures the network path and SSH secures the device access.

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 network team must manage switches from home without exposing management ports to the internet. Which two controls best fit? Select two.

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.

Question 1easymulti select

Full question →

A
Require a VPN before allowing access to the management network.
A VPN creates a protected path into the management network without opening switch admin ports to the public internet. It also lets the organization control who can connect before management access is granted.
B
Use SSH for command-line administration instead of Telnet.
SSH encrypts remote administration traffic, unlike Telnet. That protects credentials and session data while still allowing secure command-line management.
C
Expose the switch web interface directly on a public IP address.
Why wrong: Publicly exposing a management interface increases attack surface and makes brute-force and exploitation more likely. Secure administration should stay behind controlled access paths.
D
Use FTP to transfer configuration files because it is simple.
Why wrong: FTP does not encrypt usernames, passwords, or file contents. For device administration, secure protocols are preferred because they protect sensitive management data in transit.
E
Send management passwords by email to approved admins.
Why wrong: Email is not a secure channel for administrative credentials. It creates unnecessary exposure and weakens accountability because passwords can be forwarded or intercepted.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Require a VPN before allowing access to the management network.

Requiring a VPN before allowing access to the management network ensures that all management traffic is encrypted and authenticated over the internet, effectively creating a secure tunnel that protects switch management interfaces from direct exposure. This control aligns with the principle of defense in depth by adding a layer of network segmentation and access control, preventing unauthorized external access to the switches.

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.

✓
Require a VPN before allowing access to the management network.
Why this is correct
A VPN creates a protected path into the management network without opening switch admin ports to the public internet. It also lets the organization control who can connect before management access is granted.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use SSH for command-line administration instead of Telnet.
Why this is correct
SSH encrypts remote administration traffic, unlike Telnet. That protects credentials and session data while still allowing secure command-line management.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Expose the switch web interface directly on a public IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Publicly exposing a management interface increases attack surface and makes brute-force and exploitation more likely. Secure administration should stay behind controlled access paths.
✗
Use FTP to transfer configuration files because it is simple.
Why it's wrong here
FTP does not encrypt usernames, passwords, or file contents. For device administration, secure protocols are preferred because they protect sensitive management data in transit.
✗
Send management passwords by email to approved admins.
Why it's wrong here
Email is not a secure channel for administrative credentials. It creates unnecessary exposure and weakens accountability because passwords can be forwarded or intercepted.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'secure protocol' (SSH) with 'secure access method' (VPN), mistakenly thinking that using SSH alone is sufficient to protect management interfaces from internet exposure, when in fact SSH only encrypts the session but does not prevent the port from being reachable by attackers.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

VPNs (e.g., IPsec or SSL/TLS-based) create an encrypted tunnel between the remote user and the management network, often using protocols like IKEv2 or OpenVPN, and can integrate with network access control (NAC) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) for additional security. In real-world deployments, a jump box or bastion host is often placed inside the management network, requiring VPN connectivity before SSH or HTTPS access to switches is permitted, ensuring that even if a switch's SSH service is exposed, it is only reachable from trusted internal IPs.

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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Related SY0-701 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

General Security Concepts practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.

Security Architecture practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.

Security Operations practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.

Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.

Security+ social engineering questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.

Security+ cryptography practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.

Security+ IAM questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.

Security+ risk management questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.

Security+ incident response questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.

Security+ malware questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.

Security+ vulnerability management questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.

Practice this exam

Start a free SY0-701 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

SY0-701 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

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: Require a VPN before allowing access to the management network. — Requiring a VPN before allowing access to the management network ensures that all management traffic is encrypted and authenticated over the internet, effectively creating a secure tunnel that protects switch management interfaces from direct exposure. This control aligns with the principle of defense in depth by adding a layer of network segmentation and access control, preventing unauthorized external access to the switches.

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

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 →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Keep practising

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

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.