- A
Place the web server in a DMZ or public-facing zone.
A DMZ is the standard place for internet-facing services because it creates a controlled boundary between public traffic and internal systems. It lets the web tier accept external requests without exposing deeper resources.
- B
Allow inbound traffic from the internet directly to the application servers.
Why wrong: Direct internet access to the application servers defeats the purpose of a tiered design. It exposes the middle tier unnecessarily and makes it harder to control attacks.
- C
Restrict the application tier so only the web tier can initiate connections to it.
Limiting app-tier access to the web tier enforces the intended trust boundary. This is a classic segmentation rule for multi-tier applications and reduces the number of systems that can talk to the application layer.
- D
Put the database on the guest Wi-Fi VLAN.
Why wrong: Guest wireless is untrusted and unsuitable for sensitive back-end systems. Placing a database there would be a severe architecture error rather than a security control.
- E
Use the same flat network for all three tiers.
Why wrong: A flat network eliminates separation and makes lateral movement easier. It is the opposite of a secure zone-based design for public applications.
Quick Answer
The correct choices are to place the web server in a DMZ and to restrict the application tier so only the web tier can initiate connections to it. This works because DMZ web application tier isolation creates a buffer zone where internet traffic is terminated at the public-facing web servers, while firewall rules explicitly block any inbound connections from the internet to the internal application or database tiers. By forcing the app tier to only accept connections initiated by the web tier, you enforce a strict one-way trust model that prevents direct external access to sensitive backend systems. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of layered network segmentation and default deny rules; a common trap is assuming the app tier can be placed in the DMZ as well, which would defeat isolation. Remember the memory tip: “DMZ for the web, one-way for the app—never let the internet knock on the backend’s door.”
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.
A company is building a public web app with three tiers. Internet users should reach only the web tier, and the app tier should never be reachable from the internet. Which two network design choices support this goal? Select two.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"never"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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 web server in a DMZ or public-facing zone.
Option A is correct because placing the web server in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) or public-facing zone allows internet traffic to reach only the web tier while isolating the internal network. This is a standard security architecture where the DMZ acts as a buffer, and firewall rules permit inbound HTTP/HTTPS (ports 80/443) only to the web servers, not to the application or database tiers.
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 the web server in a DMZ or public-facing zone.
Why this is correct
A DMZ is the standard place for internet-facing services because it creates a controlled boundary between public traffic and internal systems. It lets the web tier accept external requests without exposing deeper resources.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Allow inbound traffic from the internet directly to the application servers.
Why it's wrong here
Direct internet access to the application servers defeats the purpose of a tiered design. It exposes the middle tier unnecessarily and makes it harder to control attacks.
- ✓
Restrict the application tier so only the web tier can initiate connections to it.
Why this is correct
Limiting app-tier access to the web tier enforces the intended trust boundary. This is a classic segmentation rule for multi-tier applications and reduces the number of systems that can talk to the application layer.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Put the database on the guest Wi-Fi VLAN.
Why it's wrong here
Guest wireless is untrusted and unsuitable for sensitive back-end systems. Placing a database there would be a severe architecture error rather than a security control.
- ✗
Use the same flat network for all three tiers.
Why it's wrong here
A flat network eliminates separation and makes lateral movement easier. It is the opposite of a secure zone-based design for public applications.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think placing the app tier behind a firewall alone is sufficient, but they must also explicitly restrict inbound connections to only the web tier, not just block the internet—otherwise internal lateral movement or misconfigured rules could still expose the app tier.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a three-tier architecture, the web tier typically runs a reverse proxy (e.g., Nginx, Apache) that forwards requests to the app tier over a private network using protocols like HTTP or FastCGI. The app tier should be placed in a separate subnet with network ACLs or security group rules that only allow traffic from the web tier's private IP range, and stateful firewalls should track connection states to prevent unsolicited inbound packets. Real-world scenarios often use AWS Security Groups or Azure NSGs where the app tier's inbound rule explicitly references the web tier's security group as the source, ensuring no direct internet access.
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 web server in a DMZ or public-facing zone. — Option A is correct because placing the web server in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) or public-facing zone allows internet traffic to reach only the web tier while isolating the internal network. This is a standard security architecture where the DMZ acts as a buffer, and firewall rules permit inbound HTTP/HTTPS (ports 80/443) only to the web servers, not to the application or database tiers.
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: "never". Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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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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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