The correct choice is to separate workstations, phones, badge readers, and cameras into different VLANs with ACLs or firewall rules between them. This approach enforces micro-segmentation, which directly limits lateral movement after a workstation compromise by blocking direct Layer 3/4 communication between user endpoints and building systems. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of network segmentation as a key defense against east-west traffic threats, often presented in a network diagram exhibit where you must identify the redesign that reduces the blast radius. A common trap is choosing a flat network or simply adding a firewall at the perimeter, which fails to restrict internal traffic. Remember the memory tip: “VLANs are the walls, ACLs are the doors” — you need both to control who talks to whom inside the network.
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
Access switch VLAN table:
VLAN 10 - Corporate workstations - 126 devices
VLAN 10 - VoIP phones - 41 devices
VLAN 10 - Badge readers - 18 devices
VLAN 10 - Cameras - 24 devices
VLAN 20 - Guest Wi-Fi - Internet only
Incident note:
A compromised workstation was able to reach a badge reader and a camera using internal IP addresses.
Based on the exhibit, which network redesign would best limit lateral movement between user endpoints and building systems after a workstation compromise?
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.
Access switch VLAN table:
VLAN 10 - Corporate workstations - 126 devices
VLAN 10 - VoIP phones - 41 devices
VLAN 10 - Badge readers - 18 devices
VLAN 10 - Cameras - 24 devices
VLAN 20 - Guest Wi-Fi - Internet only
Incident note:
A compromised workstation was able to reach a badge reader and a camera using internal IP addresses.
A
Move every device into a single flat subnet so internal routing is simpler.
Why wrong: A flat network increases lateral movement opportunities and makes compromise containment much harder. It does not create separate trust boundaries.
B
Separate workstations, phones, badge readers, and cameras into different VLANs with ACLs or firewall rules between them.
Separating device classes into distinct VLANs creates clear trust boundaries and limits what a compromised endpoint can reach. Inter-VLAN ACLs or firewall rules can then enforce only the necessary traffic paths, such as management or service traffic. This reduces lateral movement from a workstation to sensitive building systems like cameras and badge readers.
C
Keep the design unchanged and rely on antivirus on the workstations to block access to the cameras.
Why wrong: Antivirus may detect malware on the endpoint, but it does not enforce network segmentation or stop direct access to other device classes. The architecture remains overly permissive.
D
Put all traffic through the guest Wi-Fi VLAN to isolate it from the corporate network.
Why wrong: Guest VLANs are usually meant for internet-only access and would break internal services for managed devices. It would not properly separate sensitive building systems from workstations.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Separate workstations, phones, badge readers, and cameras into different VLANs with ACLs or firewall rules between them.
Option B is correct because segmenting workstations, phones, badge readers, and cameras into separate VLANs with ACLs or firewall rules between them enforces micro-segmentation. This prevents a compromised workstation from directly initiating lateral movement to building systems (e.g., cameras or badge readers) by restricting inter-VLAN traffic at Layer 3/4, limiting the blast radius of an attack.
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.
✗
Move every device into a single flat subnet so internal routing is simpler.
Why it's wrong here
A flat network increases lateral movement opportunities and makes compromise containment much harder. It does not create separate trust boundaries.
✓
Separate workstations, phones, badge readers, and cameras into different VLANs with ACLs or firewall rules between them.
Why this is correct
Separating device classes into distinct VLANs creates clear trust boundaries and limits what a compromised endpoint can reach. Inter-VLAN ACLs or firewall rules can then enforce only the necessary traffic paths, such as management or service traffic. This reduces lateral movement from a workstation to sensitive building systems like cameras and badge readers.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Keep the design unchanged and rely on antivirus on the workstations to block access to the cameras.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus may detect malware on the endpoint, but it does not enforce network segmentation or stop direct access to other device classes. The architecture remains overly permissive.
✗
Put all traffic through the guest Wi-Fi VLAN to isolate it from the corporate network.
Why it's wrong here
Guest VLANs are usually meant for internet-only access and would break internal services for managed devices. It would not properly separate sensitive building systems from workstations.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think antivirus or a flat network simplifies management, but the SY0-701 exam specifically tests the principle of network segmentation to contain lateral movement, not just endpoint protection or network simplicity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN segmentation with ACLs operates at Layer 2 (VLAN tagging per IEEE 802.1Q) and Layer 3 (inter-VLAN routing with ACLs or firewall rules). For example, a workstation in VLAN 10 can be blocked from initiating TCP connections to a camera in VLAN 20, while allowing the camera to send video to a recording server in VLAN 30. In real-world scenarios, this prevents attacks like using a compromised workstation to scan for default credentials on IP cameras or badge readers, which are often on the same flat network in poorly designed environments.
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.
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: Separate workstations, phones, badge readers, and cameras into different VLANs with ACLs or firewall rules between them. — Option B is correct because segmenting workstations, phones, badge readers, and cameras into separate VLANs with ACLs or firewall rules between them enforces micro-segmentation. This prevents a compromised workstation from directly initiating lateral movement to building systems (e.g., cameras or badge readers) by restricting inter-VLAN traffic at Layer 3/4, limiting the blast radius of an attack.
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.
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