CISSP Practice Question: What would MOST likely happen if a company fails to implement robust…

Correct Answer: A. Increased attack surface

Explanation (CISSP Manager Logic):

A flat network architecture allows for unrestricted lateral movement, increasing the risk that a single compromise leads to an enterprise-wide breach. Managers must prioritize segmentation to limit the "blast radius" of security incidents and protect mission-critical assets from general traffic.

By implementing this solution, you:

• Contain security breaches within isolated zones.
• Reduce the scope and cost of regulatory audits.
• Enforce the principle of least privilege at the network level.

While the other options are relevant, they fall short because:

• B: Segmentation often introduces slight latency due to additional inspection points and firewall rules.
• C: Privacy is a legal requirement enforced by technical controls, not a direct result of failing to segment.
• D: Flat networks increase compliance complexity because the entire environment falls under audit scope.

Think like a manager:

Focus on containment and risk reduction. Effective network design ensures that a failure in a low-security area does not jeopardize the organization's entire operational integrity.