Question 990 of 1,152

Security Architecture →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to deploy a jump server (bastion host) in a management subnet and require all administrative SSH connections to originate from the jump server, with the jump server accessible only via the corporate VPN. This architecture eliminates direct inbound SSH from the internet by creating a controlled, two-step access path: administrators first authenticate to the VPN, then connect to the bastion host, and finally initiate SSH sessions to the target servers. No SSH port is ever exposed to the public internet, directly achieving the security architect’s primary goal. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation and bastion hosts as a defense-in-depth strategy—a common trap is confusing a VPN alone with the combined VPN-plus-jump-server model. Remember the mnemonic “VPN to Jump, then SSH to the server” to recall that the jump server is the only intermediary allowed to touch the Linux servers, keeping the internet at bay.

SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question

This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 security architect is redesigning remote administration for a set of critical Linux servers in a private cloud. Currently, system administrators connect directly from their corporate laptops to the servers over the internet using SSH. The architect's primary goal is to eliminate direct inbound SSH connections from the internet while still allowing authorized administrators to perform maintenance tasks. Which of the following architectural changes would best achieve this objective?

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.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Read the full NAT/PAT explanation →

A
Deploy a VPN concentrator and require all administrators to connect to the VPN before initiating SSH sessions directly to the servers.
Why wrong: This still allows direct SSH connections from the VPN network to the servers. While the VPN adds an authentication layer, it does not eliminate direct inbound SSH to the server; an attacker who compromises a VPN-connected laptop could reach the servers directly.
B
Deploy a jump server (bastion host) in a management subnet and require all administrative SSH connections to originate from the jump server, with the jump server accessible only via the corporate VPN.
This is the correct architecture. The jump server acts as a secure intermediary. No SSH traffic from the internet reaches the target servers; all connections must first authenticate to the VPN, then to the jump server, and finally the jump server initiates outbound SSH to the target servers. This eliminates direct inbound SSH and provides a centralized audit point.
C
Replace SSH with a web-based console proxy that uses HTTPS and multi-factor authentication, and allow direct internet access to the console proxy on port 443.
Why wrong: While the console proxy removes SSH, it still exposes a service directly to the internet on port 443. Unless the proxy is placed behind the VPN, it remains an internet-facing attack surface. Moreover, a console proxy may not provide the same level of isolation as a managed jump server.
D
Configure each Linux server with a public IP address but restrict inbound SSH to the known public IP addresses of the administrators' corporate laptops.
Why wrong: This still exposes SSH directly to the internet, though restricted by IP. IP-based restrictions can be bypassed via IP spoofing, compromised laptops, or IP address changes. It does not eliminate direct inbound SSH and is considered a weaker security control.

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

✓

Deploy a jump server (bastion host) in a management subnet and require all administrative SSH connections to originate from the jump server, with the jump server accessible only via the corporate VPN.

Option B is correct because it eliminates direct inbound SSH from the internet by placing a jump server (bastion host) in a management subnet that is only accessible via the corporate VPN. Administrators must first connect to the VPN, then SSH to the jump server, and from there initiate SSH sessions to the target Linux servers. This architecture ensures no SSH port is exposed to the public internet, meeting the primary security goal.

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.

✗
Deploy a VPN concentrator and require all administrators to connect to the VPN before initiating SSH sessions directly to the servers.
Why it's wrong here
This still allows direct SSH connections from the VPN network to the servers. While the VPN adds an authentication layer, it does not eliminate direct inbound SSH to the server; an attacker who compromises a VPN-connected laptop could reach the servers directly.
✓
Deploy a jump server (bastion host) in a management subnet and require all administrative SSH connections to originate from the jump server, with the jump server accessible only via the corporate VPN.
Why this is correct
This is the correct architecture. The jump server acts as a secure intermediary. No SSH traffic from the internet reaches the target servers; all connections must first authenticate to the VPN, then to the jump server, and finally the jump server initiates outbound SSH to the target servers. This eliminates direct inbound SSH and provides a centralized audit point.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Replace SSH with a web-based console proxy that uses HTTPS and multi-factor authentication, and allow direct internet access to the console proxy on port 443.
Why it's wrong here
While the console proxy removes SSH, it still exposes a service directly to the internet on port 443. Unless the proxy is placed behind the VPN, it remains an internet-facing attack surface. Moreover, a console proxy may not provide the same level of isolation as a managed jump server.
✗
Configure each Linux server with a public IP address but restrict inbound SSH to the known public IP addresses of the administrators' corporate laptops.
Why it's wrong here
This still exposes SSH directly to the internet, though restricted by IP. IP-based restrictions can be bypassed via IP spoofing, compromised laptops, or IP address changes. It does not eliminate direct inbound SSH and is considered a weaker security control.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may think a VPN alone (Option A) is sufficient to eliminate direct inbound SSH, but the VPN still allows direct SSH from the VPN client to the server, which does not remove the server’s SSH exposure from the internet—it only adds a layer of encryption and authentication, not a true bastion architecture.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

A jump server acts as a controlled pivot point, often configured with SSH agent forwarding or SSH key-based authentication, and can enforce session logging and auditing via tools like auditd or sudo. In a private cloud, the management subnet should be isolated with network ACLs that only allow inbound SSH from the jump server’s IP, and the jump server itself should be hardened with minimal services, MFA, and restricted to corporate VPN IP ranges. This layered approach aligns with the principle of defense-in-depth and reduces the blast radius of a compromised administrator laptop.

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.

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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: Deploy a jump server (bastion host) in a management subnet and require all administrative SSH connections to originate from the jump server, with the jump server accessible only via the corporate VPN. — Option B is correct because it eliminates direct inbound SSH from the internet by placing a jump server (bastion host) in a management subnet that is only accessible via the corporate VPN. Administrators must first connect to the VPN, then SSH to the jump server, and from there initiate SSH sessions to the target Linux servers. This architecture ensures no SSH port is exposed to the public internet, meeting the primary security goal.

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", "primary". 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.

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