- A
Collapse the DMZ and internal database into the same VLAN so firewall rules are simpler.
Why wrong: This removes the trust boundary and makes compromise of one system much more dangerous for the others.
- B
Place the public reverse proxy in a DMZ separated from the internal network by a firewall.
This isolates the exposed service from internal resources and keeps internet-facing traffic in a controlled zone. A DMZ is appropriate for systems that must accept inbound requests from untrusted networks. It reduces the blast radius if the proxy is compromised and allows the organization to apply stricter internal controls behind the perimeter firewall.
- C
Allow the database subnet to accept inbound connections from the internet for easier scaling.
Why wrong: This would expose the database directly to untrusted traffic and greatly increase attack surface.
- D
Restrict DMZ-to-database access to only the required application port and source host.
This follows least privilege by limiting the DMZ host to only the exact database communication needed. If an attacker compromises the DMZ system, narrow firewall rules reduce opportunities for lateral movement and exploitation. It also makes the rule set easier to audit because only one host and one port are authorized.
- E
Disable stateful inspection on the firewall so return traffic is automatically trusted.
Why wrong: This weakens the firewall’s ability to track sessions and can permit unwanted traffic patterns.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to restrict DMZ-to-database access to only the required application port and source host, because a reverse proxy in a DMZ must follow least privilege firewall rules to prevent lateral movement. By limiting the database subnet to accept traffic only from the specific proxy host on the single TCP port the web tier uses, you eliminate the risk of an attacker pivoting from a compromised proxy to other internal services. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this tests your understanding of defense-in-depth and network segmentation, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a DMZ reverse proxy is placed between the internet and internal resources. A common trap is allowing broad subnet-to-subnet access, which violates the principle of least privilege and creates a direct attack path. Remember the mnemonic “Proxy Port, Proxy Host” — always filter both the source host and the destination port when hardening DMZ firewall rules.
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.
An architect reviews a design where an internet-facing reverse proxy in a DMZ forwards HTTPS to a web application tier, and the web tier queries a database on a protected internal subnet. The current firewall plan allows the DMZ subnet to reach the database subnet on any TCP port, and the admins want to manage the proxy without exposing it to the user VLAN. Which two changes best improve the design? 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.
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 public reverse proxy in a DMZ separated from the internal network by a firewall.
Option B is correct because placing the public reverse proxy in a DMZ separated from the internal network by a firewall enforces a layered security model. The DMZ acts as a buffer zone, ensuring that even if the proxy is compromised, the attacker cannot directly access the internal web or database tiers without traversing another firewall. This aligns with defense-in-depth principles for internet-facing services.
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.
- ✗
Collapse the DMZ and internal database into the same VLAN so firewall rules are simpler.
Why it's wrong here
This removes the trust boundary and makes compromise of one system much more dangerous for the others.
- ✓
Place the public reverse proxy in a DMZ separated from the internal network by a firewall.
Why this is correct
This isolates the exposed service from internal resources and keeps internet-facing traffic in a controlled zone. A DMZ is appropriate for systems that must accept inbound requests from untrusted networks. It reduces the blast radius if the proxy is compromised and allows the organization to apply stricter internal controls behind the perimeter firewall.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Allow the database subnet to accept inbound connections from the internet for easier scaling.
Why it's wrong here
This would expose the database directly to untrusted traffic and greatly increase attack surface.
- ✓
Restrict DMZ-to-database access to only the required application port and source host.
Why this is correct
This follows least privilege by limiting the DMZ host to only the exact database communication needed. If an attacker compromises the DMZ system, narrow firewall rules reduce opportunities for lateral movement and exploitation. It also makes the rule set easier to audit because only one host and one port are authorized.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable stateful inspection on the firewall so return traffic is automatically trusted.
Why it's wrong here
This weakens the firewall’s ability to track sessions and can permit unwanted traffic patterns.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think collapsing VLANs simplifies management (Option A) or that disabling stateful inspection improves performance (Option E), but both weaken security; the exam tests understanding that segmentation and least-privilege access are critical for protecting internal assets.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical three-tier web architecture, the reverse proxy (e.g., Nginx or HAProxy) terminates HTTPS and forwards requests to the web tier. The firewall between the DMZ and internal network should use stateful inspection to track TCP sessions, ensuring only established connections from the proxy to the database are allowed. Restricting DMZ-to-database access to only the required application port (e.g., TCP 3306 for MySQL) and specific source host (the proxy's IP) implements micro-segmentation, reducing the attack surface.
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 public reverse proxy in a DMZ separated from the internal network by a firewall. — Option B is correct because placing the public reverse proxy in a DMZ separated from the internal network by a firewall enforces a layered security model. The DMZ acts as a buffer zone, ensuring that even if the proxy is compromised, the attacker cannot directly access the internal web or database tiers without traversing another firewall. This aligns with defense-in-depth principles for internet-facing services.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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