- A
Place both the web server and database in the same internal subnet and rely on host firewalls.
Why wrong: This keeps the database reachable from the web server, but it also increases the blast radius if either host is compromised.
- B
Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed.
This separates the internet-facing system from the sensitive backend. The DMZ limits exposure of the web server, while the database remains inaccessible from external networks and is reachable only over tightly filtered application ports from the web tier.
- C
Place the database in the DMZ so the web server can query it directly without internal routing.
Why wrong: A database in the DMZ would be unnecessarily exposed to attackers and would violate common secure architecture practices.
- D
Keep both systems public but restrict access with NAT and strong administrator passwords.
Why wrong: NAT does not provide meaningful segmentation for application security, and passwords alone do not prevent network-level exposure.
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 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?
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 and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed.
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.
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 both the web server and database in the same internal subnet and rely on host firewalls.
Why it's wrong here
This keeps the database reachable from the web server, but it also increases the blast radius if either host is compromised.
- ✓
Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed.
Why this is correct
This separates the internet-facing system from the sensitive backend. The DMZ limits exposure of the web server, while the database remains inaccessible from external networks and is reachable only over tightly filtered application ports from the web tier.
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 query it directly without internal routing.
Why it's wrong here
A database in the DMZ would be unnecessarily exposed to attackers and would violate common secure architecture practices.
- ✗
Keep both systems public but restrict access with NAT and strong administrator passwords.
Why it's wrong here
NAT does not provide meaningful segmentation for application security, and passwords alone do not prevent network-level exposure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think host firewalls are sufficient for internal subnet isolation (Option A) or mistakenly believe placing the database in the DMZ simplifies routing (Option C), overlooking the fundamental security principle of defense in depth and the need to keep sensitive data stores off the internet-facing network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical DMZ architecture, the web server acts as a proxy or application gateway, forwarding only specific database queries (e.g., parameterized SQL queries) to the internal database server. Firewall rules should use stateful inspection to allow only established connections from the web server to the database on the required port, while blocking all inbound traffic from the internet to the database subnet. This design also supports network segmentation using VLANs or separate subnets, and can be enhanced with database-specific security measures like stored procedures and least-privilege accounts.
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: Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed. — 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.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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