Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A company is redesigning a customer portal. Internet users must reach only the web tier, the application tier must be reachable only from the web tier, and the database must be reachable only from the application tier. Administrators should manage servers from a dedicated jump host. Which design best meets these requirements?
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
Distractor review
Place all servers on one VLAN and use host firewalls on each system.
This reduces some risk, but it does not create clear trust boundaries between tiers. A flat network makes lateral movement easier if one server is compromised.
B
Best answer
Place web servers in a DMZ, application servers in an internal server subnet, databases in a restricted trust zone, and allow administration only through ACLs from a jump host.
This design separates the exposure of each tier and limits traffic to the minimum necessary paths. The web servers can face the internet in a DMZ, while the application and database tiers remain progressively more restricted. ACLs and a jump host also enforce controlled administrative access and reduce direct management exposure.
C
Distractor review
Place the database servers in the DMZ so the web tier can query them directly from the internet-facing network.
This exposes the most sensitive tier to the least trusted network segment. It increases the attack surface and violates common secure design practices.
D
Distractor review
Use NAT for all servers and keep every system on the same internal subnet to simplify routing.
NAT hides addresses but does not provide strong segmentation or trust-zone separation. A shared subnet still allows broad east-west connectivity unless additional controls are added.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Security+ security operations questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ security operations questions.
Security+ zero trust questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ zero trust questions.
Security+ authentication factors questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ authentication factors questions.
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place web servers in a DMZ, application servers in an internal server subnet, databases in a restricted trust zone, and allow administration only through ACLs from a jump host. — The best answer is the design that places each tier into a different trust zone with tightly controlled access paths. A DMZ is appropriate for the internet-facing web servers, while the application and database tiers should remain progressively more protected. Limiting administrative access to a jump host reduces direct exposure of management services and helps enforce least privilege. This is a classic secure network segmentation approach. Why others are wrong: Option A still leaves the environment flat, which makes segmentation dependent on each host being perfectly configured. Option C places the database in the least trusted zone, which is a major design flaw. Option D may simplify addressing, but it does not meaningfully restrict lateral movement or enforce tier-to-tier trust boundaries.
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.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.