Question 146 of 1,013
SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question
Employees in a server room often prop the door open while carrying equipment. What control best helps detect and prevent this behavior?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose a convenience-based option (like adding chairs or moving tapes) thinking it addresses the root cause, but the question specifically asks for a control that both detects and prevents the behavior, which only a combination of a door-ajar alarm and a self-closing mechanism achieves.
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
✓
Install a door-ajar alarm and use a self-closing door mechanism.
A door-ajar alarm provides immediate notification when the door is left open, while a self-closing door mechanism physically ensures the door closes automatically after each use. Together, they directly address the behavior of propping the door open by both detecting the violation and preventing it from remaining open, which is critical for maintaining physical security controls in a server room.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Install a door-ajar alarm and use a self-closing door mechanism.
Why this is correct
A door-ajar alarm combined with a self-closing mechanism directly addresses the problem by alerting staff when the door is left open and reducing the chance that it stays open. This is a practical physical security control because it supports both detection and prevention. It helps protect restricted areas without relying only on user behavior.
- ✗
Add more desk chairs outside the server room for convenience.
Why it's wrong here
Adding extra seating outside the server room is a convenience measure, not a physical security control. It does nothing to prevent unauthorized entry, detect an open door, or enforce door closure. In fact, it could encourage employees to linger near the controlled area, potentially increasing the risk of tailgating or social engineering attempts as individuals gather around the entrance.
- ✗
Increase the screen brightness on the monitoring workstation.
Why it's wrong here
Screen brightness on a monitoring workstation only improves the display's visibility for personnel watching surveillance feeds or alarm panels. It has no effect on the physical door state, does not trigger any alerting mechanism, and cannot enforce door closure. The problem is the door being propped open, not the legibility of the monitoring interface, so adjusting brightness is entirely unrelated to mitigating the vulnerability.
- ✗
Move backup tapes to a nearby shelf for easier access.
Why it's wrong here
Relocating backup tapes to a nearby shelf for convenience directly increases the risk of data exposure, theft, or physical damage, as the tapes would no longer reside in a secured storage environment. This action also fails to address the root cause of the open-door vulnerability; it neither alerts personnel to a door left ajar nor prevents the door from being held open. Instead, it introduces a separate security weakness by reducing protection for sensitive media.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
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