- A
Place the web server and database on the same flat internal network behind the firewall.
Why wrong: This keeps the server reachable, but it does not isolate the database from the web tier or reduce lateral movement risk.
- B
Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database and file share on a private internal subnet.
This is the best design because the internet-facing system is isolated in a DMZ, while sensitive back-end systems stay off the public path. Traffic can be tightly filtered so only the required web-to-database communication is allowed. That reduces exposure if the web server is compromised.
- C
Place the database in the DMZ and keep the web server on the internal user VLAN.
Why wrong: This exposes the most sensitive system to unnecessary risk and places the internet-facing service inside a less suitable internal segment.
- D
Use a VPN for all users and keep every server on the same subnet.
Why wrong: A VPN helps remote access, but it does not provide the segmentation needed to separate public-facing and private services.
Quick Answer
The best design is to place the web server in a DMZ while keeping the database and file share on a private internal subnet. This DMZ architecture creates a buffer zone where the web server is exposed to the internet, but the database and file share remain isolated behind strict firewall rules that only allow inbound traffic to the DMZ and block any connections initiated from the DMZ to the internal network. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation and defense in depth for multi-tier applications—a common trap is assuming the database can also sit in the DMZ, which would expose it to direct attack if the web server is compromised. Remember the key principle: the DMZ hosts only what must be public, while sensitive data stays on a separate subnet with no direct internet path. A helpful memory tip is “DMZ for the front, private for the back”—the web server faces the internet, but the database never does.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 publishing an internal website to the internet. The security team wants the web server reachable from the internet while keeping the database and file share isolated from direct internet access. Which design is best?
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.
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 and keep the database and file share on a private internal subnet.
Option B is correct because it implements a DMZ architecture where the web server is placed in a publicly accessible network segment, while the database and file share reside on a private internal subnet. This design ensures that even if the web server is compromised, an attacker cannot directly access the internal resources because firewall rules restrict inbound traffic to only the DMZ and block any initiated connections from the DMZ to the internal network. This follows the principle of defense in depth and network segmentation as recommended by CompTIA for securing multi-tier applications.
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 the web server and database on the same flat internal network behind the firewall.
Why it's wrong here
This keeps the server reachable, but it does not isolate the database from the web tier or reduce lateral movement risk.
- ✓
Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database and file share on a private internal subnet.
Why this is correct
This is the best design because the internet-facing system is isolated in a DMZ, while sensitive back-end systems stay off the public path. Traffic can be tightly filtered so only the required web-to-database communication is allowed. That reduces exposure if the web server is compromised.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Place the database in the DMZ and keep the web server on the internal user VLAN.
Why it's wrong here
This exposes the most sensitive system to unnecessary risk and places the internet-facing service inside a less suitable internal segment.
- ✗
Use a VPN for all users and keep every server on the same subnet.
Why it's wrong here
A VPN helps remote access, but it does not provide the segmentation needed to separate public-facing and private services.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a DMZ as a place to put all servers that need internet access, but the correct design isolates only the front-end web server in the DMZ while keeping backend services like databases and file shares on a separate internal subnet to prevent direct exposure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical DMZ implementation, the firewall uses stateful inspection to allow only specific traffic (e.g., HTTP/HTTPS on ports 80/443) from the internet to the web server, while blocking all inbound traffic to the internal subnet. The web server then communicates with the database using a separate, restricted firewall rule that allows only outbound connections from the web server to the database on the database port (e.g., TCP 3306 for MySQL), and the database is configured to accept connections only from the web server's IP address. This architecture is often enforced with a three-legged firewall or a pair of firewalls, ensuring that even if the web server is compromised, the attacker cannot pivot to the internal network without crossing additional security controls.
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 and keep the database and file share on a private internal subnet. — Option B is correct because it implements a DMZ architecture where the web server is placed in a publicly accessible network segment, while the database and file share reside on a private internal subnet. This design ensures that even if the web server is compromised, an attacker cannot directly access the internal resources because firewall rules restrict inbound traffic to only the DMZ and block any initiated connections from the DMZ to the internal network. This follows the principle of defense in depth and network segmentation as recommended by CompTIA for securing multi-tier applications.
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
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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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