- A
Place all devices on one flat network and rely on host firewalls for isolation.
Why wrong: A flat network can work temporarily, but it expands the blast radius and weakens isolation.
- B
Create separate VLANs or subnets for guest, user, and payment zones, then filter inter-zone traffic with firewalls or ACLs.
Separate zones with internal filtering limit lateral movement and allow only required flows.
- C
Put the payment system in a DMZ and allow direct internet access for database synchronization.
Why wrong: A DMZ is for exposed services, not for systems that should remain internal and restricted.
- D
Use NAT on every endpoint so internal devices cannot be individually identified on the network.
Why wrong: NAT hides addresses, but it does not provide meaningful segmentation or access control.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create separate VLANs or subnets for guest, user, and payment zones, then filter inter-zone traffic with firewalls or ACLs. This design is correct because VLAN segmentation provides logical isolation at Layer 2, dividing the network into distinct broadcast domains that prevent guest Wi-Fi and employee traffic from reaching the payment-processing system, while ACLs or firewall rules enforce granular control over which specific paths—like the payment system to its database server—are allowed. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation as a core security control, often appearing in questions about PCI DSS compliance or defense-in-depth; a common trap is confusing DMZ placement with VLAN isolation, but remember that a DMZ is designed for public-facing services, not for isolating internal payment systems from user traffic. Memory tip: think “VLANs for internal separation, DMZs for external exposure”—if the payment system only needs to talk to one internal database, VLANs with ACLs are the precise tool.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An organization is redesigning its office network. Guest Wi-Fi must reach the internet only, employee laptops need access to internal apps, and a payment-processing system must be separated from general user traffic but still reach one database server. Which design best meets these requirements?
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
Create separate VLANs or subnets for guest, user, and payment zones, then filter inter-zone traffic with firewalls or ACLs.
Option B is correct because it uses VLANs or subnets to segment guest, employee, and payment-processing traffic into separate broadcast domains, then applies firewall rules or ACLs to control inter-zone traffic. This allows guest Wi-Fi to be restricted to internet-only access, employee laptops to reach internal apps, and the payment system to communicate only with its specific database server while being isolated from general user traffic.
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 all devices on one flat network and rely on host firewalls for isolation.
Why it's wrong here
A flat network can work temporarily, but it expands the blast radius and weakens isolation.
- ✓
Create separate VLANs or subnets for guest, user, and payment zones, then filter inter-zone traffic with firewalls or ACLs.
Why this is correct
Separate zones with internal filtering limit lateral movement and allow only required flows.
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 payment system in a DMZ and allow direct internet access for database synchronization.
Why it's wrong here
A DMZ is for exposed services, not for systems that should remain internal and restricted.
- ✗
Use NAT on every endpoint so internal devices cannot be individually identified on the network.
Why it's wrong here
NAT hides addresses, but it does not provide meaningful segmentation or access control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think a DMZ is always the correct answer for any sensitive system, but in this scenario, the payment system needs controlled access to an internal database, not internet exposure, making VLAN segmentation with firewalls the proper design.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLANs operate at Layer 2 using 802.1Q tagging to isolate traffic logically on the same physical switch, while ACLs or firewall rules at Layer 3/4 filter traffic between VLANs based on source/destination IP, port, or protocol. In a real-world scenario, the payment system might use a dedicated VLAN with a strict ACL allowing only outbound TCP/443 to the database server's IP, while blocking all other inbound traffic, ensuring compliance with PCI DSS segmentation requirements.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Create separate VLANs or subnets for guest, user, and payment zones, then filter inter-zone traffic with firewalls or ACLs. — Option B is correct because it uses VLANs or subnets to segment guest, employee, and payment-processing traffic into separate broadcast domains, then applies firewall rules or ACLs to control inter-zone traffic. This allows guest Wi-Fi to be restricted to internet-only access, employee laptops to reach internal apps, and the payment system to communicate only with its specific database server while being isolated from general user traffic.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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