The answer is to remove the doorstop and close the door immediately. Propping open a secured door bypasses all physical access controls, such as electronic locks or badge readers, creating an immediate security vulnerability where unauthorized individuals could enter the server room undetected. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of physical security controls and incident response priorities—specifically that restoring the security control takes precedence over reporting or confronting the employee. A common trap is choosing to first notify a supervisor or confront the employee, but the exam emphasizes that the most immediate action must address the active risk. Remember the memory tip: “Close first, report second”—your priority is always to eliminate the breach before investigating the cause.
220-1102 Physical Security Controls Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of physical security controls. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 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?
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.
Propping open a secured door bypasses all physical access controls, creating an immediate security risk. The first step is to close the door to restore security, then address the policy violation.
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.
✓
Remove the doorstop and close the door.
Why this is correct
This immediately restores the physical security of the server room.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Document the incident and report it to the security manager.
Why it's wrong here
Reporting is important but should come after securing the door to prevent unauthorized access in the meantime.
✗
Reprimand the employee who propped the door.
Why it's wrong here
Discipline is a management action; the technician's priority is to fix the physical security breach.
✗
Install a door alarm that sounds if the door is open too long.
Why it's wrong here
This is a future preventive measure but does not address the current open door.
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: Remove the doorstop and close the door. — Propping open a secured door bypasses all physical access controls, creating an immediate security risk. The first step is to close the door to restore security, then address the policy violation.
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.
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Question Discussion
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