The answer is to move WEB01 into a DMZ and allow only the reverse proxy or load balancer to reach it on HTTPS, with admin access limited to the jump host. This configuration reduces the web server attack surface by enforcing network segmentation and the principle of least privilege, as the reverse proxy acts as a single, hardened entry point that inspects and filters all inbound traffic, while the DMZ isolates the server from both the internet and the internal network. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how a DMZ combined with a reverse proxy minimizes exposure without sacrificing remote administration, often appearing in performance-based questions where you must choose the most secure topology. A common trap is to place the web server directly behind a firewall without a DMZ, which still exposes it to direct internet traffic. Remember the mnemonic “DAD” for DMZ, Application proxy, and Dedicated admin jump host to quickly recall the three pillars of this secure architecture.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Exhibit
Current firewall policy excerpt:
1. Allow any source -> WEB01 tcp/443
2. Allow any source -> WEB01 tcp/80
3. Allow ADMIN-SUBNET -> WEB01 tcp/22
4. Deny all other inbound traffic
Topology note:
WEB01 currently sits on the same subnet as internal application servers.
Based on the exhibit, which change would best reduce the attack surface of the public web server while preserving remote administration from the internal network?
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.
Current firewall policy excerpt:
1. Allow any source -> WEB01 tcp/443
2. Allow any source -> WEB01 tcp/80
3. Allow ADMIN-SUBNET -> WEB01 tcp/22
4. Deny all other inbound traffic
Topology note:
WEB01 currently sits on the same subnet as internal application servers.
A
Assign WEB01 a public IP address directly and remove the firewall rules.
Why wrong: This increases exposure because the server is reachable without an additional trust boundary. It does not reduce the attack surface.
B
Move WEB01 into a DMZ and allow only the reverse proxy or load balancer to reach it on HTTPS, with admin access limited to the jump host.
A DMZ creates a separate trust boundary for the internet-facing service, limiting blast radius if the web server is compromised. Restricting inbound access to a proxy or load balancer reduces direct exposure, and allowing administration only from a jump host preserves controlled remote management. This is the strongest architectural improvement in the scenario.
C
Place WEB01 on the same VLAN as user workstations so the firewall can inspect traffic more easily.
Why wrong: Putting the server with user devices weakens segmentation and expands lateral-movement opportunities. It does not create a stronger trust boundary.
D
Keep the server where it is and add outbound web filtering to stop exploitation attempts.
Why wrong: Outbound filtering may help limit command-and-control traffic, but it does not address the large inbound exposure shown in the exhibit. The risky service remains directly reachable.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Move WEB01 into a DMZ and allow only the reverse proxy or load balancer to reach it on HTTPS, with admin access limited to the jump host.
Moving WEB01 into a DMZ and restricting inbound HTTPS traffic to only the reverse proxy or load balancer minimizes the server's exposure to the internet while still allowing external users to access the web application. Admin access from the internal network is preserved by limiting it to a jump host, which provides a controlled, audited entry point. This architecture follows the principle of least privilege and network segmentation, reducing the attack surface without sacrificing necessary 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.
✗
Assign WEB01 a public IP address directly and remove the firewall rules.
Why it's wrong here
This increases exposure because the server is reachable without an additional trust boundary. It does not reduce the attack surface.
✓
Move WEB01 into a DMZ and allow only the reverse proxy or load balancer to reach it on HTTPS, with admin access limited to the jump host.
Why this is correct
A DMZ creates a separate trust boundary for the internet-facing service, limiting blast radius if the web server is compromised. Restricting inbound access to a proxy or load balancer reduces direct exposure, and allowing administration only from a jump host preserves controlled remote management. This is the strongest architectural improvement in the scenario.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Place WEB01 on the same VLAN as user workstations so the firewall can inspect traffic more easily.
Why it's wrong here
Putting the server with user devices weakens segmentation and expands lateral-movement opportunities. It does not create a stronger trust boundary.
✗
Keep the server where it is and add outbound web filtering to stop exploitation attempts.
Why it's wrong here
Outbound filtering may help limit command-and-control traffic, but it does not address the large inbound exposure shown in the exhibit. The risky service remains directly reachable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think placing a server on a separate VLAN or adding filtering is sufficient, but the key is using a DMZ with a reverse proxy to eliminate direct inbound connections and a jump host to control administrative access.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Outbound filtering may help limit command-and-control traffic, but it does not address the large inbound exposure shown in the exhibit. The risky service remains directly reachable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A DMZ (demilitarized zone) is a network segment that sits between the internal trusted network and the untrusted internet, typically using a firewall with three interfaces (inside, outside, DMZ). The reverse proxy or load balancer terminates TLS connections and forwards only validated HTTP/HTTPS requests to WEB01, preventing direct exposure of the server's IP and reducing the risk of protocol-level attacks. The jump host acts as a bastion host, requiring authentication and logging all administrative sessions, which is critical for compliance and forensic analysis.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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 WEB01 into a DMZ and allow only the reverse proxy or load balancer to reach it on HTTPS, with admin access limited to the jump host. — Moving WEB01 into a DMZ and restricting inbound HTTPS traffic to only the reverse proxy or load balancer minimizes the server's exposure to the internet while still allowing external users to access the web application. Admin access from the internal network is preserved by limiting it to a jump host, which provides a controlled, audited entry point. This architecture follows the principle of least privilege and network segmentation, reducing the attack surface without sacrificing necessary 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
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Based on the exhibit, which change best reduces exposure for the public web application while keeping the backend tiers protected?
The current design is:
Internet -> Firewall -> DMZ VLAN 10: reverse proxy
Private App VLAN 20: application server 10.10.20.20
Private DB VLAN 30: database server 10.10.30.30
User VLAN 40: internal workstations
ACL summary:
1. permit tcp any -> 10.10.10.10 eq 443
2. permit tcp 10.10.10.10 -> 10.10.20.20 eq 8443
3. permit tcp 10.10.20.20 -> 10.10.30.30 eq 1433
4. deny ip any -> 10.10.30.30
medium
A.Move the database server into the DMZ so the public proxy can reach it directly.
✓ B.Keep the reverse proxy in the DMZ and place the application and database servers in private subnets behind it.
C.Allow inbound Internet access directly to the application server on 8443, but restrict the database.
D.Collapse all servers into one VLAN and rely on strong passwords for protection.
Why B: Option B is correct because it maintains the defense-in-depth architecture: the reverse proxy in the DMZ (VLAN 10) terminates external HTTPS (TCP/443) and forwards only necessary traffic to the application server in a private VLAN (VLAN 20) over TCP/8443, while the database server remains isolated in a separate private VLAN (VLAN 30) with strict ACLs. This layered segmentation ensures that the public web application's exposure is limited to the reverse proxy, and backend tiers (app and DB) are not directly reachable from the internet, reducing the attack surface while preserving functional separation.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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