- A
Place all three servers on the same internal VLAN and use host firewalls only.
Why wrong: This simplifies administration, but it does not provide strong network segmentation or limit lateral movement effectively.
- B
Place the web server in a DMZ, the API server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet.
This creates clear trust boundaries and limits exposure. Only the web server is internet-facing, the API stays internal, and the database can be isolated behind strict filtering rules.
- C
Place the database in the DMZ so the web server can connect to it with fewer firewall rules.
Why wrong: This exposes the most sensitive component to unnecessary risk and expands the attack surface for direct access attempts.
- D
Use a single NAT gateway for all servers and rely on public IP filtering at the edge.
Why wrong: NAT does not provide internal segmentation, so compromise of one system can still lead to broader internal access.
Quick Answer
The correct design places the web server in a DMZ, the API server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet. This layered approach to DMZ web application database network segmentation enforces the principle of least privilege by isolating each tier based on its access requirements: the web server is publicly reachable in the DMZ, the API server is accessible only from the web server via firewall rules, and the database is locked away in a restricted subnet with no user subnet access. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation and defense in depth, often appearing as a multi-tier architecture question. A common trap is placing the API or database in the DMZ, which would expose them to the internet and violate security best practices. Remember the memory tip: “Web in the DMZ, API inside, DB hidden—three zones, no direct rides.”
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 small company is deploying a public web application with a front-end server, an API server, and a database. The web server must be reachable from the internet, the API must be reachable only from the web server, and the database must never be accessible from user subnets. Which design best meets the requirement?
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:
"never"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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 the web server in a DMZ, the API server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet.
Option B is correct because it implements a layered security architecture: the web server resides in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) to be publicly accessible, the API server is placed in an internal subnet with firewall rules allowing only traffic from the web server, and the database is isolated in a restricted subnet with no access from user subnets. This design enforces the principle of least privilege and prevents direct internet exposure of the API and database, which is critical for protecting sensitive data.
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.
- ✗
Place all three servers on the same internal VLAN and use host firewalls only.
Why it's wrong here
This simplifies administration, but it does not provide strong network segmentation or limit lateral movement effectively.
- ✓
Place the web server in a DMZ, the API server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet.
Why this is correct
This creates clear trust boundaries and limits exposure. Only the web server is internet-facing, the API stays internal, and the database can be isolated behind strict filtering rules.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Place the database in the DMZ so the web server can connect to it with fewer firewall rules.
Why it's wrong here
This exposes the most sensitive component to unnecessary risk and expands the attack surface for direct access attempts.
- ✗
Use a single NAT gateway for all servers and rely on public IP filtering at the edge.
Why it's wrong here
NAT does not provide internal segmentation, so compromise of one system can still lead to broader internal access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think placing the database in the DMZ simplifies connectivity, but they overlook that the DMZ is inherently less secure and directly violates the requirement that the database must never be accessible from user subnets.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical three-tier architecture, the DMZ acts as a buffer zone with stateful firewall rules (e.g., using iptables or pf) that allow inbound HTTP/HTTPS (ports 80/443) to the web server only. The internal subnet uses RFC 1918 private IP ranges (e.g., 10.0.0.0/8) with strict ACLs permitting only the web server's IP to reach the API server on a specific port (e.g., TCP 8080). The restricted subnet for the database often employs VLAN tagging and firewall rules that block all traffic except from the API server on the database port (e.g., TCP 3306 for MySQL), and may also implement network-based encryption like IPsec or TLS to protect data in transit.
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.
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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 the web server in a DMZ, the API server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet. — Option B is correct because it implements a layered security architecture: the web server resides in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) to be publicly accessible, the API server is placed in an internal subnet with firewall rules allowing only traffic from the web server, and the database is isolated in a restricted subnet with no access from user subnets. This design enforces the principle of least privilege and prevents direct internet exposure of the API and database, which is critical for protecting sensitive data.
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", "never". 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 →
Same concept, more angles
3 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 small company is deploying a public web application with a front-end server, an application server, and a database. Which two design choices best reduce exposure of the backend systems? Select two.
easy- ✓ A.Place the web server in a DMZ that is reachable from the internet.
- B.Put the database on the same subnet as the web server for faster communication.
- ✓ C.Place the database on an internal subnet that is not directly reachable from the internet.
- D.Allow every tier to communicate freely to simplify troubleshooting.
- E.Use one flat VLAN for all three servers and rely on strong passwords.
Why A: Option A is correct because placing the web server in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) allows it to be reachable from the internet while isolating it from the internal network. This design ensures that even if the web server is compromised, an attacker cannot directly access the application server or database, as traffic must pass through a firewall with strict rules. The DMZ acts as a buffer zone, reducing the attack surface of backend systems.
Variation 2. A company is redesigning its network to host a public-facing web application that accesses a confidential database. The security team needs to minimize the risk of a direct attack against the database server while still allowing the web server to retrieve and update data. Which network architecture best achieves this objective?
medium- A.Place both the web server and the database server in the same DMZ segment and rely on host-based firewalls for protection.
- ✓ B.Place the web server in the DMZ and the database server on the internal network. Configure the firewall to allow inbound traffic from the web server to the database server on the required port only.
- C.Connect both servers to a single internal VLAN and use a reverse proxy to forward external traffic to the web server.
- D.Use a site-to-site VPN to connect the web server and database server, and place both behind a single NAT gateway.
Why B: Option B is correct because it implements a tiered network architecture where the web server resides in the DMZ (a semi-trusted zone) and the database server is placed on the internal network, isolated from direct internet access. The firewall is configured with a stateful rule that permits only the web server's IP and the specific database port (e.g., TCP 3306 for MySQL or 1433 for MSSQL), preventing any direct inbound connections from the internet to the database. This minimizes the attack surface by ensuring that even if the web server is compromised, the database is not directly reachable from external hosts.
Variation 3. A small company is redesigning its network for a public web application. The web front end must be reachable from the internet, but the database should never be exposed directly to external or general user traffic. Which architecture is the best choice?
medium- A.Place both the web server and database in the same internal subnet and rely on host firewalls.
- ✓ B.Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed.
- C.Place the database in the DMZ so the web server can query it directly without internal routing.
- D.Keep both systems public but restrict access with NAT and strong administrator passwords.
Why B: Option B is correct because it implements a layered security architecture: the web server resides in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) where it is reachable from the internet, while the database is placed in a private internal subnet with strict firewall rules that only allow the required application traffic (e.g., TCP port 3306 for MySQL or 1433 for MSSQL) from the web server. This ensures the database is never directly exposed to external or general user traffic, reducing the attack surface and preventing direct internet-based attacks on the database.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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