The correct answer is to explain the security risks in non-technical terms and propose a secure alternative that meets their needs. This choice is correct because it directly applies the CompTIA A+ objective of balancing business needs and security, requiring the technician to translate technical vulnerabilities—such as default credentials or unencrypted data—into operational risks the store manager can understand, while still delivering a functional point-of-sale system. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize communication and compromise over rigid enforcement or silent compliance, a common trap where candidates might choose to simply refuse the request or implement the insecure configuration. Remember the memory tip: “Translate, don’t dictate”—explain the risk in business terms, then offer a secure alternative that keeps the store running.
220-1102 Communication and Professionalism Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of communication and professionalism. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician is deploying a new point-of-sale system in a busy retail store. The store manager insists on a specific configuration that the technician knows will cause data security vulnerabilities. Which of the following is the BEST course of action?
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
✓
Explain the security risks in non-technical terms and propose a secure alternative that meets their needs.
Option C is correct because it aligns with the CompTIA A+ objective of balancing security with business needs. The technician must communicate the security risks of the manager's requested configuration (e.g., using default credentials or disabling encryption on the POS system) in non-technical terms, then propose a secure alternative that still meets the operational requirements, such as using WPA3 with a strong passphrase instead of an open Wi-Fi network. This approach maintains professionalism, avoids data breaches, and preserves the working relationship.
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.
✗
Implement the configuration as requested to keep the manager happy.
Why it's wrong here
This violates security best practices and could lead to data breaches.
✗
Refuse to do the work and walk away.
Why it's wrong here
While security is important, walking away without explanation is unprofessional and doesn't solve the problem.
✓
Explain the security risks in non-technical terms and propose a secure alternative that meets their needs.
Why this is correct
This demonstrates professionalism by educating the client and offering a solution.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Secretly implement a secure configuration and tell the manager it's what they asked for.
Why it's wrong here
Lying to a client is unethical and damages trust.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the trap that candidates choose Option A (compliance with authority) or Option B (rigid refusal) instead of the balanced, professional approach of explaining risks and proposing alternatives, which is the core of CompTIA's 'Communication and Professionalism' domain.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a POS system, insecure configurations often involve using default SNMP community strings (e.g., 'public'/'private'), disabling TLS for credit card transmissions, or leaving default admin passwords on the terminal. Under the hood, these vulnerabilities allow attackers to intercept card data via ARP spoofing or gain full system access through SNMP enumeration. A real-world scenario is the 2014 Home Depot breach, where attackers exploited weak network segmentation and default credentials on POS systems to steal 56 million card numbers.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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.
Communication and Professionalism — This question tests Communication and Professionalism — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Explain the security risks in non-technical terms and propose a secure alternative that meets their needs. — Option C is correct because it aligns with the CompTIA A+ objective of balancing security with business needs. The technician must communicate the security risks of the manager's requested configuration (e.g., using default credentials or disabling encryption on the POS system) in non-technical terms, then propose a secure alternative that still meets the operational requirements, such as using WPA3 with a strong passphrase instead of an open Wi-Fi network. This approach maintains professionalism, avoids data breaches, and preserves the working relationship.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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