Question 548 of 1,152

Security Architecture →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to move finance systems to a separate VLAN or subnet with filtering rules, not to physically separate them. This is correct because a VLAN provides logical network segmentation at Layer 2, creating isolated broadcast domains that restrict lateral movement while still allowing controlled traffic—like SMB/CIFS for printer sharing and specific ports for the accounting application—through access control lists or firewall rules. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation as a defense-in-depth strategy, often appearing in questions about balancing security with business functionality; a common trap is choosing physical separation, which is costly and inflexible, or assuming VLANs alone block all traffic without Layer 3 filtering. Remember the mnemonic “VLANs Virtually Limit Access, Never forget filtering” to recall that VLANs need ACLs to enforce least privilege.

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.

An office wants finance workstations separated from general user PCs, but employees still need to print to a shared printer and access one accounting application. Which change best supports this?

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.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

A
Place all systems on one VLAN and rely on strong passwords.
Why wrong: Strong passwords do not provide network separation, so a compromise could spread more easily across the office.
B
Move finance systems to a separate VLAN or subnet and allow only required traffic through filtering rules.
This is the best choice because it separates finance systems from general users while still allowing approved services like printing and application access. VLANs or subnets reduce lateral movement, and firewall or ACL rules limit communication to only what is needed. That supports least privilege at the network layer.
C
Put the printer in a different building to make it more secure.
Why wrong: Physical distance does not meaningfully solve the access-control problem and would create unnecessary operational complexity.
D
Enable screen lock timers on the finance PCs and keep the network flat.
Why wrong: Screen locks help endpoint security, but they do not isolate finance traffic from other internal users or devices.

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

✓

Move finance systems to a separate VLAN or subnet and allow only required traffic through filtering rules.

Option B is correct because placing finance systems on a separate VLAN or subnet with a Layer 3 boundary enforces network segmentation, which limits broadcast domains and restricts lateral movement. By configuring access control lists (ACLs) or firewall rules to permit only the required traffic (e.g., SMB/CIFS for printer sharing and specific TCP/UDP ports for the accounting application), the organization achieves a least-privilege network architecture. This approach aligns with the principle of defense-in-depth, reducing the attack surface while maintaining necessary business functionality.

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 systems on one VLAN and rely on strong passwords.
Why it's wrong here
Strong passwords do not provide network separation, so a compromise could spread more easily across the office.
✓
Move finance systems to a separate VLAN or subnet and allow only required traffic through filtering rules.
Why this is correct
This is the best choice because it separates finance systems from general users while still allowing approved services like printing and application access. VLANs or subnets reduce lateral movement, and firewall or ACL rules limit communication to only what is needed. That supports least privilege at the network layer.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Put the printer in a different building to make it more secure.
Why it's wrong here
Physical distance does not meaningfully solve the access-control problem and would create unnecessary operational complexity.
✗
Enable screen lock timers on the finance PCs and keep the network flat.
Why it's wrong here
Screen locks help endpoint security, but they do not isolate finance traffic from other internal users or devices.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often confuse physical separation (Option C) with logical network segmentation, or assume that strong passwords (Option A) or endpoint controls (Option D) are sufficient substitutes for network-layer isolation, when in fact VLANs and ACLs are required to enforce least-privilege access between different security zones.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

VLAN segmentation operates at Layer 2 (802.1Q) to isolate broadcast domains, but true separation requires a Layer 3 device (router or firewall) to route between VLANs with ACLs. For example, a common implementation uses a firewall with rules that permit only SMB (TCP 445) for printer access and specific ports (e.g., TCP 1433 for SQL-based accounting apps) from the finance subnet to the printer/application server, while blocking all other inter-VLAN traffic. In real-world scenarios, misconfigured VLANs (e.g., allowing native VLAN traffic to leak) or using a flat network with a single subnet can lead to ARP cache poisoning attacks, where an attacker on a general user PC intercepts printer jobs or accounting data.

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.

Related SY0-701 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

General Security Concepts practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.

Security Architecture practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.

Security Operations practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.

Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.

Security+ social engineering questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.

Security+ cryptography practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.

Security+ IAM questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.

Security+ risk management questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.

Security+ incident response questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.

Security+ malware questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.

Security+ vulnerability management questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.

Practice this exam

Start a free SY0-701 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

SY0-701 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

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: Move finance systems to a separate VLAN or subnet and allow only required traffic through filtering rules. — Option B is correct because placing finance systems on a separate VLAN or subnet with a Layer 3 boundary enforces network segmentation, which limits broadcast domains and restricts lateral movement. By configuring access control lists (ACLs) or firewall rules to permit only the required traffic (e.g., SMB/CIFS for printer sharing and specific TCP/UDP ports for the accounting application), the organization achieves a least-privilege network architecture. This approach aligns with the principle of defense-in-depth, reducing the attack surface while maintaining necessary business functionality.

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

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 →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Keep practising

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

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.