Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
A company is redesigning a three-tier customer portal. Internet users must reach only the web tier, the application tier must never be directly reachable from the internet, database traffic must flow only from the app tier, and administrators need a protected path to manage servers. Which two design choices best meet these requirements? Select two.
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 public web tier in a DMZ behind a reverse proxy or WAF so the internet never reaches application or database hosts directly.
A DMZ places the internet-facing web tier in a controlled network segment that can be tightly filtered and monitored. A reverse proxy or WAF further reduces exposure by terminating client connections and filtering malicious requests before they reach internal tiers. This design supports the requirement that only the web tier is reachable from the internet while preserving separation from the app and database layers.
B
Distractor review
Put all three tiers on the same VLAN and depend on host-based firewalls to separate them.
Keeping all tiers on one VLAN increases the attack surface and makes lateral movement easier if one server is compromised. Host firewalls can help, but they do not provide the same architectural boundary as a DMZ and layered network controls. The requirement calls for stronger segmentation than a flat trust zone.
C
Best answer
Use a bastion host on a dedicated management network for all administrative access to the servers.
A bastion host creates a hardened, audited entry point for administrative sessions and keeps management traffic off user networks. Placing it on a dedicated management network allows stricter ACLs, session logging, and better monitoring. This matches the need for a protected administrative path without exposing server management interfaces broadly.
D
Distractor review
Allow administrators to SSH or RDP from the standard employee VLAN for faster troubleshooting.
Permitting management traffic from the general employee VLAN weakens segmentation and makes it harder to control who can reach privileged services. If an employee workstation is compromised, the attacker gains a direct path to management interfaces. Convenience is not a sufficient reason to relax the required separation.
E
Distractor review
Expose the database listener to the internet and require strong passwords for application connections.
Database services should almost never be exposed directly to the internet in a three-tier design. Strong passwords do not compensate for unnecessary public exposure, brute-force risk, or protocol misuse. The database should remain internal and reachable only from the application tier through tightly controlled rules.
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.
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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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place the public web tier in a DMZ behind a reverse proxy or WAF so the internet never reaches application or database hosts directly. — The best choices are the DMZ-based web tier and the bastion host on a separate management network. Together, they preserve the required tier separation: the internet reaches only the front end, internal tiers remain hidden, and administrators use a hardened, monitored path for privileged access. This combination reduces attack surface, limits lateral movement, and aligns with secure network architecture principles. Why others are wrong: Placing all tiers on one VLAN depends too much on host controls and removes a key segmentation boundary. Allowing admin access from the employee VLAN expands the management attack path and undermines least privilege. Exposing the database to the internet is far beyond what the scenario requires and creates unacceptable risk, even if strong passwords are used.
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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