The correct approach is to place the web server in the DMZ and the database server in the internal network, with a firewall allowing only specific traffic from the web server to the database. This DMZ design works because the web server acts as a controlled bridge: it is exposed to the internet in a semi-trusted zone, while the database remains isolated behind a second firewall layer that enforces strict segmentation. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of defense-in-depth and network segmentation—specifically how to minimize the attack surface by preventing direct internet-to-database access. A common trap is thinking both servers can sit in the DMZ, but that would expose the database to external threats. Remember the memory tip: “Web in the DMZ, DB in the safe—only one path, and it’s gated.”
ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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 security engineer is designing a DMZ for a web server that must be accessible from the internet. The web server needs to query an internal database server. Which network security approach best limits exposure?
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.
Use a single firewall with rules that allow all traffic from the internet to the internal network.
Why wrong: Allowing all inbound traffic is unsafe.
B
Place both servers in the same subnet with a firewall allowing all traffic.
Why wrong: Lack of segmentation exposes the database to the internet.
C
Place the database server in the DMZ with the web server.
Why wrong: Exposing the database server increases risk.
D
Place the web server in the DMZ and the database server in the internal network, with a firewall allowing only specific traffic from the web server to the database.
This provides proper segmentation and least privilege.
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 in the internal network, with a firewall allowing only specific traffic from the web server to the database.
Option D is correct because it implements a true DMZ architecture: the web server resides in the DMZ (a semi-trusted zone) while the database server remains in the internal network, protected by a firewall that permits only specific traffic (e.g., TCP/3306 for MySQL or TCP/1433 for MSSQL) from the web server. This minimizes the attack surface by ensuring that even if the web server is compromised, the database server is not directly reachable from the internet, and the firewall enforces strict stateful inspection and access control.
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.
✗
Use a single firewall with rules that allow all traffic from the internet to the internal network.
Why it's wrong here
Allowing all inbound traffic is unsafe.
✗
Place both servers in the same subnet with a firewall allowing all traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Lack of segmentation exposes the database to the internet.
✗
Place the database server in the DMZ with the web server.
Why it's wrong here
Exposing the database server increases risk.
✓
Place the web server in the DMZ and the database server in the internal network, with a firewall allowing only specific traffic from the web server to the database.
Why this is correct
This provides proper segmentation and least privilege.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that placing both servers in the DMZ simplifies security, but the trap is that the database server should never be in the DMZ because it contains sensitive data and must be isolated behind an additional firewall layer to enforce defense in depth.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical three-legged firewall DMZ design, the firewall has three interfaces: one for the internet (untrusted), one for the DMZ (semi-trusted), and one for the internal network (trusted). The web server in the DMZ can initiate outbound connections to the internal database server, but the firewall uses stateful inspection to ensure that only established responses are allowed back, preventing any unsolicited inbound traffic to the internal network. This design also supports the use of reverse proxies and network address translation (NAT) to further obscure internal addressing.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — 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 in the internal network, with a firewall allowing only specific traffic from the web server to the database. — Option D is correct because it implements a true DMZ architecture: the web server resides in the DMZ (a semi-trusted zone) while the database server remains in the internal network, protected by a firewall that permits only specific traffic (e.g., TCP/3306 for MySQL or TCP/1433 for MSSQL) from the web server. This minimizes the attack surface by ensuring that even if the web server is compromised, the database server is not directly reachable from the internet, and the firewall enforces strict stateful inspection and access control.
What should I do if I get this CC 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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