- A
Install a mantrap at the main entrance and require two-factor authentication for the data center door.
Why wrong: This only addresses physical tailgating, not the social engineering of password reset.
- B
Install a mantrap at the main entrance and require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all password reset requests.
Mantrap prevents physical tailgating; MFA on password resets mitigates social engineering.
- C
Deploy security guards at the entrance 24/7 and implement a policy that all visitors must be escorted.
Why wrong: Guards reduce tailgating but social engineering via phone remains.
- D
Implement a callback verification process for all password reset requests and require a manager approval.
Why wrong: This helps with social engineering but does not prevent tailgating during lunch.
Quick Answer
The answer is installing a mantrap at the main entrance and requiring multi-factor authentication for all password reset requests. This combination directly counters the two distinct weaknesses identified in the physical security assessment: a mantrap prevents tailgating by forcing one person through at a time, even when the reception desk is unattended during lunch hours, while MFA for password resets eliminates the social engineering vulnerability where a simple phone call claiming to be a new employee bypasses identity verification. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your ability to pair layered physical controls with authentication protocols, a common theme in the social engineering and physical security domain. A frequent trap is choosing a single solution like video surveillance or a callback policy, which only addresses one vector. Remember the mnemonic “Mantrap + MFA = No Tailgate, No Fake Reset” to link the two controls with their respective threats.
CEH Social Engineering and Physical Security Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of social engineering and physical security. 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 security auditor is assessing the physical security of a corporate office building that houses a data center. The building has a single main entrance with a reception desk staffed during business hours (8 AM to 6 PM). After hours, employees use a keycard reader to access the building. The data center itself requires a separate keycard and a 6-digit PIN. The auditor notices that during lunch hours (12-1 PM), the reception desk is often unattended, and employees frequently hold the door for others to avoid using their keycard. Additionally, a recent social engineering test revealed that an attacker was able to call the help desk, claim to be a new employee, and request a password reset, which was granted without proper verification. Based on this scenario, which of the following is the MOST effective combination of controls to mitigate both the physical and social engineering weaknesses?
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 mantrap at the main entrance and require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all password reset requests.
Option B is correct because it addresses both weaknesses: a mantrap prevents tailgating at the main entrance (physical security), and requiring MFA for password reset requests mitigates the social engineering attack by adding an authentication factor beyond just a phone call. This combination directly counters the observed vulnerabilities—unattended reception and weak identity verification—without over-engineering or leaving gaps.
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.
- ✗
Install a mantrap at the main entrance and require two-factor authentication for the data center door.
Why it's wrong here
This only addresses physical tailgating, not the social engineering of password reset.
- ✓
Install a mantrap at the main entrance and require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all password reset requests.
Why this is correct
Mantrap prevents physical tailgating; MFA on password resets mitigates social engineering.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deploy security guards at the entrance 24/7 and implement a policy that all visitors must be escorted.
Why it's wrong here
Guards reduce tailgating but social engineering via phone remains.
- ✗
Implement a callback verification process for all password reset requests and require a manager approval.
Why it's wrong here
This helps with social engineering but does not prevent tailgating during lunch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus on the most obvious single weakness (e.g., tailgating or password reset) and choose a control that only fixes that one, missing the requirement for a combination that addresses both physical and social engineering flaws simultaneously.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A mantrap is a physical access control system with two interlocking doors that prevents tailgating by allowing only one person to pass after authentication (e.g., keycard + biometric). MFA for password resets typically uses a one-time code sent to a registered device or a hardware token, as recommended by NIST SP 800-63B, ensuring that a simple phone call cannot bypass verification. In real-world attacks, help desk social engineering often succeeds because agents rely on caller ID or verbal claims, which MFA renders ineffective.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Social Engineering and Physical Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CEH question test?
Social Engineering and Physical Security — This question tests Social Engineering and Physical Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install a mantrap at the main entrance and require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all password reset requests. — Option B is correct because it addresses both weaknesses: a mantrap prevents tailgating at the main entrance (physical security), and requiring MFA for password reset requests mitigates the social engineering attack by adding an authentication factor beyond just a phone call. This combination directly counters the observed vulnerabilities—unattended reception and weak identity verification—without over-engineering or leaving gaps.
What should I do if I get this CEH 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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.
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