Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
A company is redesigning a customer portal. Internet users must reach only the web tier, the web tier must talk to the application tier, and the application tier must talk to the database tier. The security team also wants to reduce lateral movement if one server is compromised. Which three changes best meet these goals? Select three.
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
Best answer
Place the web tier in a DMZ and publish only the reverse proxy or load balancer to the internet.
A DMZ keeps the internet-facing systems in a separate trust zone, so the public attack surface is limited to the web layer. If one web server is compromised, the attacker does not automatically gain access to the application or database tiers. Putting only the reverse proxy or load balancer online further reduces exposure and centralizes filtering.
B
Distractor review
Put the web, application, and database servers in the same flat VLAN so routing is simpler.
A flat VLAN reduces segmentation and makes lateral movement easier after an initial compromise. Simpler routing is not worth the increased blast radius in this design. The goal is to separate trust zones, not collapse them into one broad broadcast domain.
C
Best answer
Place the database tier in a separate internal subnet and allow traffic only from the application tier.
A dedicated database subnet creates a stronger boundary around the most sensitive tier. Restricting access so only the application tier can reach the database limits who can query or tamper with records. This supports least privilege and reduces the chance that a compromised web server can directly attack the database.
D
Best answer
Use host-based or microsegmentation rules to restrict east-west traffic between tiers.
Microsegmentation and host-based filtering are effective when traffic must be tightly controlled between workloads. Even inside a protected internal network, these controls stop unnecessary east-west movement. They add another layer beyond subnet boundaries, so a compromise on one server does not automatically open the rest of the environment.
E
Distractor review
Give the database tier direct internet access for vendor patching and cloud backups.
Direct internet access for the database tier defeats the purpose of isolating sensitive data. Vendor updates and backups should be routed through controlled management paths or secure intermediary services. Exposing the database externally greatly increases risk without being necessary for the stated requirements.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
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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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place the web tier in a DMZ and publish only the reverse proxy or load balancer to the internet. — The best design is to isolate the public web layer, keep the database in a separate internal trust zone, and enforce fine-grained east-west restrictions. Together, these controls reduce the exposed attack surface and limit lateral movement after compromise. A DMZ protects the internet-facing components, subnet separation protects the data tier, and microsegmentation or host controls help ensure only required flows exist between tiers. Why others are wrong: A flat VLAN or direct internet access for the database would increase exposure and make lateral movement easier. The goal is not just connectivity; it is controlled connectivity. The design must preserve only the specific flows required for the portal, while every other path should be denied by default.
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.
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