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220-1202 Practice Question: A technician is tasked with securing a shared…
A technician is tasked with securing a shared office printer that stores sensitive documents on its hard drive. The printer is in an open area. Which physical security measure should be prioritized to protect the data on the printer?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the principle that physical security controls must address the most direct threat vector; the trap here is that candidates confuse data-at-rest protections (encryption) with physical access controls, failing to recognize that encryption does not prevent physical theft or tampering with the storage medium.
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
✓
Place the printer in a locked room
The most effective physical security measure to protect sensitive data on a printer's hard drive in an open area is to control physical access to the device itself. Placing the printer in a locked room prevents unauthorized individuals from physically removing the hard drive or accessing the printer's internal components, which is the primary threat in an open area. While encryption and secure release are important, they do not mitigate the risk of physical theft or tampering with the storage medium.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable secure print release with a PIN
Why it's wrong here
Secure print release with a PIN controls who collects printed output, not the sensitive documents already retained on the printer's hard drive. It is tempting because it prevents unattended pages sitting in the tray. The stem concerns stored data, so a measure protecting the drive itself is required.
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Encrypt the printer's hard drive
Why it's wrong here
Encrypting the drive protects data at rest but is not a physical security measure, and the question explicitly asks for one. It is tempting because encryption genuinely safeguards stored documents if the drive is removed. Physical controls such as locking the printer or its bay are what the scenario requires.
- ✓
Place the printer in a locked room
Why this is correct
Relocating the printer into a locked room restricts physical access to its hard drive, preventing unauthorised removal or theft of stored sensitive documents. This directly addresses the open-area exposure, unlike encryption or firmware settings, which are logical rather than physical controls.
- ✗
Use a cable lock on the printer
Why it's wrong here
A cable lock only deters physical theft of the printer itself; it does nothing to protect sensitive documents already stored on the drive, which is the stated concern. Cable locks suit portable equipment in public areas. The stem asks about protecting data, so a control addressing drive contents is needed instead.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.