- A
Place both the web server and the database server in the same DMZ segment and rely on host-based firewalls for protection.
Why wrong: 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.
- B
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.
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.
- C
Connect both servers to a single internal VLAN and use a reverse proxy to forward external traffic to the web server.
Why wrong: 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.
- D
Use a site-to-site VPN to connect the web server and database server, and place both behind a single NAT gateway.
Why wrong: 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.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
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?
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.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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.
Option B is correct because 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.
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.
- ✗
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.
- ✓
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
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.
- ✗
Use a site-to-site VPN to connect the web server and database server, and place both behind a single NAT gateway.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often 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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This architecture is a classic example of defense-in-depth using a three-tier DMZ design, where the web server acts as a bastion host that must be explicitly allowed to initiate outbound connections to the database. Under the hood, the firewall uses stateful inspection to track the TCP session from the web server to the database, ensuring that only established responses are allowed back, and no unsolicited inbound traffic reaches the database. In a real-world scenario, this prevents SQL injection attacks from directly exfiltrating data to the internet, as the database server has no default route to the internet and its outbound traffic is typically blocked by egress filtering.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
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: 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. — Option B is correct because 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.
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", "minimum / minimize". 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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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