The answer is an electronic key card system. This is the correct choice because it provides centralized access control, allowing administrators to instantly revoke credentials when an employee leaves, while also generating a detailed audit trail that logs every entry attempt, including timestamps and user IDs. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to match physical security controls to specific business requirements, often contrasting key card systems with simpler options like traditional locks or biometrics, which may lack quick revocation or logging capabilities. A common trap is choosing a biometric system for its high security, but the requirement for rapid revocation and audit trails makes the centrally managed electronic key card system the better fit. Memory tip: think “card + log = control,” where the card enables quick revocation and the log provides the audit trail.
220-1202 Physical Security Controls Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of physical security controls. 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 company wants to secure its server room door so that only authorized personnel can enter. They need a system that can be quickly revoked if an employee leaves and that logs entry attempts. Which physical security control best meets these requirements?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An electronic key card system.
Electronic key card systems provide both access control and audit trails, making them ideal for environments where access needs to be centrally managed and logged. This question tests the ability to match a security requirement to the appropriate control.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
A combination lock with a shared code.
Why it's wrong here
Shared codes cannot be individually revoked and do not provide per-user audit logs.
✗
A biometric fingerprint scanner.
Why it's wrong here
Biometrics offer strong authentication but are more expensive and complex to revoke than key cards.
✓
An electronic key card system.
Why this is correct
Key cards can be individually deactivated and generate logs of each entry attempt.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
A physical key and lock system.
Why it's wrong here
Physical keys are difficult to revoke and do not log entry attempts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Physical Security Controls — This question tests Physical Security Controls — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An electronic key card system. — Electronic key card systems provide both access control and audit trails, making them ideal for environments where access needs to be centrally managed and logged. This question tests the ability to match a security requirement to the appropriate control.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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