- A
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
Put the web, application, and database servers in the same flat VLAN so routing is simpler.
Why wrong: 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
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
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
Give the database tier direct internet access for vendor patching and cloud backups.
Why wrong: 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.
Quick Answer
The answer is to place the web tier in a DMZ, publish only the reverse proxy to the internet, and use host-based or microsegmentation rules to restrict east-west traffic between tiers. This configuration directly reduces lateral movement by creating isolated security zones: the DMZ segments the web server from internal networks, while microsegmentation enforces strict east-west traffic controls between the web, application, and database subnets, preventing a compromised server from pivoting to other tiers. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation and zero-trust principles, often appearing in questions about DMZ design and lateral movement prevention. A common trap is assuming a firewall between tiers alone is sufficient, but microsegmentation adds granular host-level rules that block unauthorized internal traffic even if a perimeter firewall is bypassed. Remember the mnemonic “WAD” for Web, App, Database—each tier must only talk to its immediate neighbor, and nothing else.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 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.
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.
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 tier in a DMZ and publish only the reverse proxy or load balancer to the internet.
Option A is correct because placing the web tier in a DMZ and publishing only the reverse proxy or load balancer to the internet ensures that external users can only reach the web tier, not the application or database tiers. This aligns with the requirement to restrict internet access to the web tier only, while the reverse proxy or load balancer can inspect and forward traffic, reducing the attack surface. It also supports the goal of reducing lateral movement by isolating the web tier from internal networks.
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 the web tier in a DMZ and publish only the reverse proxy or load balancer to the internet.
Why this is correct
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Put the web, application, and database servers in the same flat VLAN so routing is simpler.
Why it's wrong here
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.
- ✓
Place the database tier in a separate internal subnet and allow traffic only from the application tier.
Why this is correct
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use host-based or microsegmentation rules to restrict east-west traffic between tiers.
Why this is correct
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Give the database tier direct internet access for vendor patching and cloud backups.
Why it's wrong here
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 traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think a flat VLAN simplifies routing and is acceptable for security, but CompTIA tests the principle of least privilege and network segmentation, where a flat network fails to prevent lateral movement after a breach.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a DMZ uses network segmentation with firewalls or ACLs to create a buffer zone between the internet and internal networks. The reverse proxy or load balancer (e.g., HAProxy, Nginx) terminates TLS connections and forwards HTTP/HTTPS requests to the web tier, while stateful firewall rules (e.g., using iptables or AWS Security Groups) explicitly deny inbound traffic from the internet to the application or database subnets. In a real-world scenario, this design is common in PCI DSS environments where cardholder data must be isolated from public-facing systems.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
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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 tier in a DMZ and publish only the reverse proxy or load balancer to the internet. — Option A is correct because placing the web tier in a DMZ and publishing only the reverse proxy or load balancer to the internet ensures that external users can only reach the web tier, not the application or database tiers. This aligns with the requirement to restrict internet access to the web tier only, while the reverse proxy or load balancer can inspect and forward traffic, reducing the attack surface. It also supports the goal of reducing lateral movement by isolating the web tier from internal networks.
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". 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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