Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Simplified network view Internet | Perimeter firewall | User VLAN 10 --------------------------- | Workstations | | File shares | | Domain services | | SSH allowed from User VLAN to all servers | --------------------------------------------- Current rule set: - TCP 22 from any device in VLAN 10 to internal Linux servers - TCP 3389 from any device in VLAN 10 to Windows servers - No dedicated admin network - No bastion host
Based on the exhibit, which change best reduces the risk of lateral movement if a user workstation is compromised?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Add more workstations to VLAN 10 so authentication requests are faster.
Increasing the number of endpoints on the same segment does not reduce lateral movement. It expands the same trust boundary.
B
Best answer
Require administrative access through a hardened bastion host and restrict direct management from user devices.
A bastion host creates a controlled management path instead of allowing every workstation to talk directly to servers. Restricting direct SSH and RDP from the user VLAN reduces attack surface and supports a zero-trust-style approach to administration.
C
Distractor review
Disable logging on the servers so attackers leave fewer traces if they connect.
Reducing logging makes detection and forensics worse. It does not reduce the chance of compromise or lateral movement.
D
Distractor review
Move all servers into the same VLAN as the workstations for easier access control.
Collocating servers with workstations increases exposure. It removes segmentation and makes lateral movement easier after a compromise.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Require administrative access through a hardened bastion host and restrict direct management from user devices. — The exhibit shows that ordinary user systems can reach server management ports directly. If one workstation is compromised, an attacker could use that access to spread laterally and attempt privilege escalation. A hardened bastion host with restricted direct management access reduces the attack surface and concentrates administrative connections into a monitored path. That is a much safer design than letting every device in the user VLAN manage servers. Why others are wrong: Adding more hosts or moving everything into one VLAN increases exposure rather than reducing it. Disabling logs hurts detection and response. The strongest control here is to remove direct management paths and force administration through a controlled, hardened entry point.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
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