The correct answer is an electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor. This combination directly addresses the two core pillars of server room physical security: controlling access to prevent unauthorized entry and monitoring environmental conditions to protect hardware from hazards like overheating or humidity damage. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding that physical security controls must cover both access control and environmental monitoring, not just one or the other. A common trap is choosing a lock and a fire extinguisher—while fire suppression is important, it is a response measure, not a continuous monitoring control like a sensor. Remember the pairing: “Badge to badge in, sensor to sense the heat”—if the question asks for both security and environmental protection, look for one access device and one monitoring device.
220-1102 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 is moving to a new office and wants to secure its server room against both unauthorized entry and environmental hazards. Which combination of physical controls should be implemented?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor
Physical security for server rooms should include access control (e.g., electronic lock) and environmental monitoring (e.g., temperature/humidity sensors) to protect equipment. This addresses both security and operational continuity.
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 key lock and a fire extinguisher
Why it's wrong here
A key lock provides basic access control but lacks auditability; a fire extinguisher is safety, not environmental monitoring.
✓
An electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor
Why this is correct
The badge reader controls and logs access; the temperature sensor monitors environmental conditions to prevent overheating.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
A biometric scanner and a security camera
Why it's wrong here
Both are security-focused; environmental hazards like temperature or humidity are not addressed.
✗
A combination lock and a humidity monitor
Why it's wrong here
Combination locks lack audit trails and can be shared; humidity monitor is good but not paired with a robust access control.
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 badge reader and a temperature sensor — Physical security for server rooms should include access control (e.g., electronic lock) and environmental monitoring (e.g., temperature/humidity sensors) to protect equipment. This addresses both security and operational continuity.
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.
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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