The correct choice is to enable BitLocker with a TPM + startup PIN because this combination delivers full disk encryption with pre-boot authentication, exactly what is needed to protect a stolen laptop. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) checks system integrity at boot, while the PIN must be entered before the operating system loads, ensuring that even if the drive is removed and placed into another machine, the data remains inaccessible. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how BitLocker layers security—many students mistakenly choose just a TPM or just a password, but the requirement for a pre-boot PIN specifically demands both. A common trap is confusing BitLocker To Go (for removable drives) with full-disk encryption on the system drive. Remember the mnemonic: “TPM checks the box, PIN unlocks the locks”—the TPM validates hardware integrity, and the PIN provides the user authentication before Windows even starts.
220-1102 PC Security Issue Remediation Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of pc security issue remediation. 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 small business owner wants to ensure that all company laptops are protected in case of theft. They need a solution that encrypts the entire hard drive and requires a pre-boot PIN. Which security feature should you implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable BitLocker with a TPM + startup PIN.
BitLocker with a TPM + startup PIN provides full-disk encryption and requires a pre-boot authentication PIN, meeting the requirement to protect the entire hard drive in case of theft. The TPM validates system integrity, and the PIN must be entered before the OS loads, preventing unauthorized access even if the drive is removed.
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.
✗
Enable EFS (Encrypting File System) on the Documents folder.
Why it's wrong here
EFS encrypts individual files or folders, not the entire drive, and does not require a pre-boot PIN.
✗
Set a BIOS password.
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS password prevents booting but does not encrypt data; the drive can still be read if removed.
✓
Enable BitLocker with a TPM + startup PIN.
Why this is correct
BitLocker with TPM + PIN provides full disk encryption and requires a PIN before Windows loads, meeting the requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Install a third-party antivirus with encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus software does not provide full disk encryption; BitLocker is the native Windows solution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse EFS with full-disk encryption or assume a BIOS password alone secures data, but only BitLocker with TPM + startup PIN provides the required pre-boot authentication and full-drive encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BitLocker uses the TPM to store the encryption key securely; when combined with a startup PIN, the key is released only after the TPM verifies the system state and the correct PIN is entered. The encryption algorithm is AES with 128-bit or 256-bit keys, and the pre-boot PIN is entered via the Windows Boot Manager, which is protected from brute-force attacks by TPM anti-hammering logic. In a real-world scenario, if a laptop is stolen, the attacker cannot boot the OS or read the drive without the PIN, even if they connect the drive to another machine.
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 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.
PC Security Issue Remediation — This question tests PC Security Issue Remediation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable BitLocker with a TPM + startup PIN. — BitLocker with a TPM + startup PIN provides full-disk encryption and requires a pre-boot authentication PIN, meeting the requirement to protect the entire hard drive in case of theft. The TPM validates system integrity, and the PIN must be entered before the OS loads, preventing unauthorized access even if the drive is removed.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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. A small business owner wants to ensure that all company laptops have their hard drives encrypted in case of theft. The laptops run Windows 10 Pro. Which technology should the technician enable to meet this requirement?
medium
A.EFS (Encrypting File System)
B.Windows Defender Antivirus
✓ C.BitLocker Drive Encryption
D.TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
Why C: BitLocker Drive Encryption (option C) is the correct technology because it provides full-disk encryption for Windows 10 Pro, ensuring that all data on the laptop's hard drive is encrypted at rest. This protects against data exposure if the device is stolen, as the drive cannot be accessed without the decryption key (e.g., a PIN, USB key, or TPM-based authentication). BitLocker is built into Windows 10 Pro and is specifically designed for whole-drive encryption, meeting the requirement for all company laptops.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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