ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)Network SecurityMedium

A security team is designing a network architecture for a new data center. They want to implement a highly available and secure perimeter that allows public access to web servers while strictly protecting internal databases. The design includes redundant firewalls and routers, placing the web servers in a neutral zone, and isolating internal resources. What specific network topology concept are they primarily applying?

  1. ABus topology
  2. BDemilitarized Zone (DMZ)
  3. CRing topology
  4. DStar topology
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

A DMZ is a neutral zone, typically between two firewalls, used to host public-facing services like web servers, protecting the internal network from direct access.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Bus topology is a physical layout where all nodes are connected to a single cable.
  • C. Ring topology is a physical layout where devices are connected in a circular fashion.
  • D. Star topology is a physical layout where all nodes connect to a central hub/switch.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

A physical or logical subnetwork that separates an organization's local area network (LAN) from an untrusted network, usually the internet.

  • Provides an additional layer of security for the internal network.
  • Hosts public-facing servers (e.g., web, email, DNS).
  • Typically located between two firewalls (a screened subnet DMZ).

Memory trick: DMZ Defends, Firewalls Filter, Routers Route, IDS Detects.

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