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Quick Answer
The correct answer is to apply the principle of least privilege to service accounts and user roles, alongside defense in depth and network segmentation. Defense in depth is correct because it mandates layering multiple security controls—such as firewalls, IDS/IPS, encryption, and access controls—so that if one control fails, others still protect the data, directly supporting strict compliance requirements for confidentiality and integrity by avoiding a single point of failure. Network segmentation further enforces this by isolating tiers of the web application, limiting lateral movement, while least privilege ensures that accounts and roles have only the minimum permissions needed. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this triad tests your ability to combine principles for a holistic security posture; a common trap is choosing a single strong control like encryption alone, forgetting that layered controls are required. Memory tip: think "Layers, Zones, and Limits"—defense in depth provides layers, segmentation creates zones, and least privilege enforces limits.
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 security architect is designing a multi-tier web application that must meet strict compliance requirements for data confidentiality and integrity. Which three of the following security architecture principles should be applied? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Implement defense in depth by layering multiple security controls.
Defense in depth is correct because it mandates layering multiple security controls (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, encryption, access controls) so that if one control fails, others still protect the data. This directly supports strict compliance requirements for confidentiality and integrity by avoiding a single point of failure.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'efficiency' with 'security' and choose the same-subnet option, forgetting that compliance requires isolation between tiers to prevent easy lateral movement after a breach.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Network segmentation (correct option) is typically implemented using VLANs (IEEE 802.1Q) or separate subnets with ACLs on Layer 3 devices, ensuring the database tier is only reachable from the application server on specific ports (e.g., TCP 3306 for MySQL). The principle of least privilege (correct option) is enforced via Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and service account permissions, often using Kerberos or OAuth tokens to limit lateral movement. Defense in depth (correct option) combines these with encryption at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.3) to meet compliance frameworks like PCI DSS or FedRAMP.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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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: Implement defense in depth by layering multiple security controls. — Defense in depth is correct because it mandates layering multiple security controls (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, encryption, access controls) so that if one control fails, others still protect the data. This directly supports strict compliance requirements for confidentiality and integrity by avoiding a single point of failure.
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.
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
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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