Zero trust network architecture in Computer Networks - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the sentence to define Zero Trust Network Architecture.

Computer Networks

Zero Trust Network Architecture means never trust, always [1].

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aallow

Bverify

Cassume

Dignore

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'allow' because it sounds positive.

Choosing 'assume' which means trusting without checking.

Zero Trust means you never trust any user or device by default and always verify their identity and permissions before granting access.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the sentence about the main principle of Zero Trust.

Computer Networks

In Zero Trust, access is granted based on [1] rather than network location.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Adevice speed

Bconnection type

CIP address

Duser identity

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'IP address' because traditional networks trust based on location.

Choosing 'device speed' which is unrelated.

Zero Trust grants access based on verifying the user's identity and permissions, not just where they connect from.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the Zero Trust description.

Computer Networks

Zero Trust means trusting all devices inside the network by default and [1] verification.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Askipping

Benforcing

Cdelaying

Dignoring

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'enforcing' which is the opposite of the intended meaning.

Choosing 'ignoring' which is similar but less precise.

Zero Trust does not trust devices by default and does not skip verification; it always verifies.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to complete the Zero Trust access control rule.

Computer Networks

Access is granted only if the user [1] authenticated and the device [2] compliant.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ais

Bwas

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using past tense 'was' which implies outdated status.

Mixing tenses between blanks.

Access requires the user is authenticated and the device is compliant at the time of access.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to complete the Zero Trust policy example.

Computer Networks

Policy = [ [1] for user in users if user.role [2] 'admin']

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A{

Buser

C==

D[

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using '{' instead of '[' for list comprehension.

Using '=' instead of '==' for comparison.

Using wrong variable name.

This is a list comprehension example for a Zero Trust policy: [user for user in users if user.role == 'admin']. It starts with [, the output expression is user, and the condition uses ==.

Practice

1. What is the main principle of Zero Trust Network Architecture?

easy

A. Never trust, always verify every access request

B. Trust all devices inside the network by default

C. Allow unrestricted access to internal resources

D. Use a single password for all users

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the core idea of Zero Trust

   Zero Trust means no implicit trust is given to any user or device, even inside the network.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct principle

   The principle is to verify every access request before allowing it.

3. Final Answer:

   Never trust, always verify every access request -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Zero Trust = Verify every request [OK]

Hint: Remember: Zero Trust means always verify, never trust [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming internal devices are trusted by default
• Thinking Zero Trust allows open access inside network
• Confusing Zero Trust with simple password policies

2. Which of the following is a correct feature of Zero Trust Network Architecture?

easy

A. Allow all devices to communicate freely once inside the network

B. Trust users based on their IP address alone

C. Use micro-segmentation to limit access to resources

D. Disable multi-factor authentication for ease of access

Solution

1. Step 1: Review Zero Trust features

   Zero Trust uses micro-segmentation to divide the network and limit access to only necessary parts.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct feature

   Micro-segmentation restricts lateral movement and improves security.

3. Final Answer:

   Use micro-segmentation to limit access to resources -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Micro-segmentation = Limited access [OK]

Hint: Micro-segmentation limits access inside network [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Believing all devices are trusted inside network
• Ignoring multi-factor authentication importance
• Trusting users based only on IP addresses

3. Consider this scenario: A user tries to access a sensitive file in a Zero Trust network. The system checks the user's identity, device health, and location before granting access. What is the likely outcome if the device is found to be unpatched and vulnerable?

medium

A. Access is logged but allowed without restrictions

B. Access is granted because the user identity is verified

C. Access is granted but with limited permissions

D. Access is denied due to device health not meeting policy

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Zero Trust access checks

   Zero Trust verifies multiple factors including device health before access is allowed.

2. Step 2: Apply policy to unpatched device

   An unpatched, vulnerable device fails health checks, so access is denied.

3. Final Answer:

   Access is denied due to device health not meeting policy -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Unhealthy device = Access denied [OK]

Hint: Unhealthy devices fail checks, access denied [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming identity verification alone grants access
• Thinking partial access is allowed despite vulnerabilities
• Ignoring device health in access decisions

4. A network administrator implements Zero Trust but notices users can access resources without verification. What is the most likely error in the setup?

medium

A. All devices are placed in a single trusted zone

B. Micro-segmentation is not properly configured

C. Multi-factor authentication is not enforced

D. User identities are verified but device health is ignored

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the symptom

   Users access resources without verification, meaning trust boundaries are missing.

2. Step 2: Identify configuration mistake

   Placing all devices in one trusted zone removes segmentation and verification.

3. Final Answer:

   All devices are placed in a single trusted zone -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Single trusted zone = No verification [OK]

Hint: No segmentation means no verification [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming MFA alone fixes all access issues
• Ignoring network segmentation importance
• Believing device health checks fix trust zone errors

5. A company wants to apply Zero Trust principles to secure remote work. Which combination of actions best supports this goal?

hard

A. Use VPN for all access, trust devices inside VPN, no further checks

B. Implement continuous user verification, device health checks, and micro-segmentation

C. Allow access based on user role only, ignore device security

D. Rely on firewall rules to block external threats, no internal controls

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify key Zero Trust actions for remote work

   Zero Trust requires continuous verification of user identity, device health, and limiting access via segmentation.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options for best fit

   Implement continuous user verification, device health checks, and micro-segmentation includes continuous verification, device checks, and micro-segmentation, covering core Zero Trust needs.

3. Final Answer:

   Implement continuous user verification, device health checks, and micro-segmentation -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Continuous checks + segmentation = Zero Trust [OK]

Hint: Combine verification, device checks, and segmentation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trusting devices just because they use VPN
• Ignoring device security in access decisions
• Relying only on perimeter firewalls