The answer is unauthorized personnel can enter the server room. Propping the door open with a trash can bypasses the entire access control system—such as keycard readers or biometric scanners—meaning anyone can walk in without triggering an alert or leaving an audit trail. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of physical security controls and the principle of defense in depth, where a locked door is a critical layer. A common trap is choosing “overheating” as the risk, but the immediate threat is always the loss of access control, not environmental factors. Remember the memory tip: “A propped door is an open invitation”—the first concern is always who can now enter, not what the air is doing.
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.
During a security audit, you find that a company's server room door is propped open with a trash can to allow airflow. What is the most immediate physical security risk in this scenario?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Unauthorized personnel can enter the server room
Propping open a secured door completely bypasses the access control system, allowing unauthorized individuals to enter the server room undetected. This highlights the importance of maintaining door closure mechanisms to ensure physical security.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Increased dust entering the server room
Why it's wrong here
While dust is a concern, the most immediate risk is unauthorized access, not environmental contamination.
✗
Fire suppression system may not work
Why it's wrong here
Fire suppression is not directly affected by an open door; the primary risk is security breach.
✓
Unauthorized personnel can enter the server room
Why this is correct
An unsecured door allows anyone to walk in, defeating the purpose of access controls and posing a serious security threat.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The door closer will wear out faster
Why it's wrong here
Mechanical wear is a minor maintenance issue, not the most immediate security risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Physical Security Controls — This question tests Physical Security Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Unauthorized personnel can enter the server room — Propping open a secured door completely bypasses the access control system, allowing unauthorized individuals to enter the server room undetected. This highlights the importance of maintaining door closure mechanisms to ensure physical security.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During a routine security audit, you find that an employee has taped their door lock open to avoid using their badge every time they leave for a break. What is the most immediate security concern with this practice?
easy
A.The employee might lose their badge
B.It violates company badge policy
✓ C.Unauthorized persons can enter without credentials
D.The door lock may break from being forced open
Why C: Propping a door open bypasses access control systems, allowing unauthorized individuals to enter without credentials. This is a common physical security violation that undermines the entire access control mechanism.
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.