SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
A company is redesigning its network to host a public-facing web application that accesses a confidential database. The security team needs to minimize the risk of a direct attack against the database server while still allowing the web server to retrieve and update data. Which network architecture best achieves this objective?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume placing both servers in the DMZ is sufficient because they think the DMZ itself provides isolation, but they overlook that the DMZ is still a single security zone where lateral movement between hosts is not restricted, making the database vulnerable if the web server is breached.
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 the DMZ and the database server on the internal network. Configure the firewall to allow inbound traffic from the web server to the database server on the required port only.
It implements a tiered network architecture where the web server resides in the DMZ (a semi-trusted zone) and the database server is placed on the internal network, isolated from direct internet access. The firewall is configured with a stateful rule that permits only the web server's IP and the specific database port (e.g., TCP 3306 for MySQL or 1433 for MSSQL), preventing any direct inbound connections from the internet to the database. This minimizes the attack surface by ensuring that even if the web server is compromised, the database is not directly reachable from external hosts.
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 both the web server and the database server in the same DMZ segment and rely on host-based firewalls for protection.
Why it's wrong here
Placing the database server in the same DMZ as the web server exposes it to any attacker who compromises the web server, and host-based firewalls can be misconfigured or bypassed. The database should be in a more secure internal zone.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where both servers host non-sensitive data and the primary goal is to simplify network design while still providing basic isolation from the internal network. For example, a public-facing web application with a read-only, non-confidential database that can tolerate some risk.
- ✓
Place the web server in the DMZ and the database server on the internal network. Configure the firewall to allow inbound traffic from the web server to the database server on the required port only.
Why this is correct
This architecture follows the principle of defense in depth. The DMZ provides an additional security layer for the web server, while the database is isolated on the internal network with a restrictive firewall rule that limits access to only the web server, reducing the attack surface.
- ✗
Connect both servers to a single internal VLAN and use a reverse proxy to forward external traffic to the web server.
Why it's wrong here
Putting both servers on the same internal VLAN removes network segmentation. If the web server is compromised, the attacker gains direct access to the database. A reverse proxy helps protect the web server but does not isolate the database.
When this WOULD be correct
This architecture would be correct if the question asked for a solution to protect a web application from external threats while keeping both servers on the same internal network, with the requirement that no direct inbound access to the web server is allowed and all external traffic must be terminated at the reverse proxy.
- ✗
Use a site-to-site VPN to connect the web server and database server, and place both behind a single NAT gateway.
Why it's wrong here
A site-to-site VPN is typically used to connect separate networks securely, not to segment internal resources. Placing both behind NAT still exposes the database if the web server is breached, because there is no firewall rule limiting database access to only the web server.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question required secure connectivity between two geographically separate networks (e.g., branch office and headquarters) while hiding both servers behind a single public IP for outbound internet access, with no need for DMZ isolation.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The SY0-701 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Place the web server in the DMZ and the database server on the internal network. Configure the firewall to allow inbound traffic from the web server to the database server on the required port only.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This architecture follows the principle of defense in depth. The DMZ provides an additional security layer for the web server, while the database is isolated on the internal network with a restrictive firewall rule that limits access to only the web server, reducing the attack surface.
✗Place both the web server and the database server in the same DMZ segment and rely on host-based firewalls for protection.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Placing both servers in the same DMZ segment exposes the database to the same untrusted network as the web server, increasing the attack surface. Host-based firewalls alone are insufficient to prevent a direct attack on the database if the web server is compromised.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where both servers host non-sensitive data and the primary goal is to simplify network design while still providing basic isolation from the internal network. For example, a public-facing web application with a read-only, non-confidential database that can tolerate some risk.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that host-based firewalls provide adequate protection and that placing servers together simplifies management, overlooking the principle of defense in depth and the need to isolate sensitive databases from untrusted zones.
✗Connect both servers to a single internal VLAN and use a reverse proxy to forward external traffic to the web server.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Placing both servers on a single internal VLAN with a reverse proxy does not isolate the database from direct external access; if the web server is compromised, the attacker can pivot directly to the database on the same VLAN, violating the principle of defense in depth.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This architecture would be correct if the question asked for a solution to protect a web application from external threats while keeping both servers on the same internal network, with the requirement that no direct inbound access to the web server is allowed and all external traffic must be terminated at the reverse proxy.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a reverse proxy provides sufficient security by hiding the web server's IP, and they may overlook that the database remains on the same flat network segment, making it vulnerable to lateral movement after a web server compromise.
✗Use a site-to-site VPN to connect the web server and database server, and place both behind a single NAT gateway.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A site-to-site VPN connects two networks securely, but placing both servers behind a single NAT gateway does not isolate the database from direct internet exposure, failing to minimize the risk of direct attack against the database server.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question required secure connectivity between two geographically separate networks (e.g., branch office and headquarters) while hiding both servers behind a single public IP for outbound internet access, with no need for DMZ isolation.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think VPN provides sufficient security and overlook the need for network segmentation, or they confuse site-to-site VPN with remote access VPN, believing it inherently protects the database from direct attack.
Analysis generated from the official SY0-701blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Segmentation and Isolation
Key term
TCP
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a core internet protocol that ensures data is sent reliably and in order between devices over a network.
Key term
Attack surface
The attack surface is the total sum of all points in a system, network, or application where an unauthorized user can try to enter or extract data.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A small company is deploying a public web application with a front-end server, an API server, and a database. The web server must be reachable from the internet, the API must be reachable only from the web server, and the database must never be accessible from user subnets. Which design best meets the requirement?
medium- A.Place all three servers on the same internal VLAN and use host firewalls only.
- ✓ B.Place the web server in a DMZ, the API server in an internal subnet, and the database in a separate restricted subnet.
- C.Place the database in the DMZ so the web server can connect to it with fewer firewall rules.
- D.Use a single NAT gateway for all servers and rely on public IP filtering at the edge.
Why B: It implements a layered security architecture: the web server resides in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) to be publicly accessible, the API server is placed in an internal subnet with firewall rules allowing only traffic from the web server, and the database is isolated in a restricted subnet with no access from user subnets. This design enforces the principle of least privilege and prevents direct internet exposure of the API and database, which is critical for protecting sensitive data.
Variation 2. A small company is deploying a public web application with a front-end server, an application server, and a database. Which two design choices best reduce exposure of the backend systems? Select two.
easy- ✓ A.Place the web server in a DMZ that is reachable from the internet.
- B.Put the database on the same subnet as the web server for faster communication.
- ✓ C.Place the database on an internal subnet that is not directly reachable from the internet.
- D.Allow every tier to communicate freely to simplify troubleshooting.
- E.Use one flat VLAN for all three servers and rely on strong passwords.
Why A: Placing the web server in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) allows it to be reachable from the internet while isolating it from the internal network. This design ensures that even if the web server is compromised, an attacker cannot directly access the application server or database, as traffic must pass through a firewall with strict rules. The DMZ acts as a buffer zone, reducing the attack surface of backend systems.
Variation 3. A small company is redesigning its network for a public web application. The web front end must be reachable from the internet, but the database should never be exposed directly to external or general user traffic. Which architecture is the best choice?
medium- A.Place both the web server and database in the same internal subnet and rely on host firewalls.
- ✓ B.Place the web server in a DMZ and keep the database in a private internal subnet with only required application traffic allowed.
- C.Place the database in the DMZ so the web server can query it directly without internal routing.
- D.Keep both systems public but restrict access with NAT and strong administrator passwords.
Why B: It implements a layered security architecture: the web server resides in a DMZ (demilitarized zone) where it is reachable from the internet, while the database is placed in a private internal subnet with strict firewall rules that only allow the required application traffic (e.g., TCP port 3306 for MySQL or 1433 for MSSQL) from the web server. This ensures the database is never directly exposed to external or general user traffic, reducing the attack surface and preventing direct internet-based attacks on the database.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.