hardMultiple Choice
220-1102 Practice Question: During a routine security walkthrough, you notice…
During a routine security walkthrough, you notice that an employee has propped open a secured door to the server room with a doorstop to allow easy access for a cleaning crew. What is the most immediate action you should take?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between immediate corrective action and administrative follow-up, trapping candidates who choose documentation or reprimand over directly closing the security gap.
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
✓
Remove the doorstop and close the door.
The immediate priority is to restore the physical security control by removing the doorstop and closing the door. A propped-open door bypasses the access control system (e.g., card reader, electronic lock), allowing unauthorized entry to the server room. This action directly mitigates the active vulnerability without delay.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Remove the doorstop and close the door.
Why this is correct
Removing the doorstop and closing the door immediately restores the physical control that was defeated, eliminating the exposure before anyone exploits it. Reporting or policy changes follow afterwards; the propped door is the active vulnerability requiring instant remediation.
- ✗
Document the incident and report it to the security manager.
Why it's wrong here
Documenting and reporting is administrative follow-up; it leaves the door propped and the server room accessible while paperwork proceeds, so the immediate exposure remains. It is tempting because reporting is required policy; it would be correct after securing the door and removing the unauthorised access.
- ✗
Reprimand the employee who propped the door.
Why it's wrong here
Reprimanding the employee addresses behaviour but leaves the door propped and the server room exposed, so the immediate physical risk persists. It is tempting because the employee caused the breach; disciplinary action would be correct later, after the door is secured and the incident reported through proper channels.
- ✗
Install a door alarm that sounds if the door is open too long.
Why it's wrong here
Installing a door alarm is a future preventive control; it does not remove the current doorstop or close the open server room door, so the exposure continues. It is tempting because alarms deter recurrence; it would be correct as a longer-term remediation after the immediate breach is secured.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Active Listening Skills
Key term
Security control
A security control is a safeguard or countermeasure designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems and data.
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1202 question from scratch — 687 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.