Quick Answer
The best defense against tailgating is implementing a mantrap at the entrance. A mantrap is a physical security access control system consisting of two interlocking doors that create a small vestibule, where only one door can be opened at a time and authentication—such as a keycard combined with biometrics—is required to pass through both. This design physically prevents an unauthorized person from following an authorized individual into a secure facility, directly mitigating tailgating attacks by enforcing strict one-person-per-authentication entry. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this concept tests your understanding of physical security controls within the broader domain of access control and social engineering countermeasures; a common trap is confusing a mantrap with simpler solutions like security guards or CCTV, which are deterrents but not definitive barriers. Remember the mnemonic “Two doors, one person” to recall that a mantrap’s interlocking mechanism is the only option that guarantees isolation of each entrant.
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.
Which of the following is the BEST defense against tailgating attacks in a secure facility?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Hiring security guards
Why wrong: Guards can be socially engineered or distracted.
Reviewing keycard access logs
Why wrong: Logs are for auditing, not prevention.
Installing CCTV cameras
Why wrong: CCTV is for monitoring, not preventing in real-time.
Implementing a mantrap at the entrance
Mantraps physically enforce one-person entry, preventing tailgating.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Implementing a mantrap at the entrance
A mantrap is a physical security access control system consisting of two interlocking doors that create a small vestibule. Only one door can be opened at a time, and authentication (e.g., keycard + biometric) is required to pass through both. This design physically prevents an unauthorized person from following an authorized person into the facility, directly mitigating tailgating attacks by enforcing strict one-person-per-authentication entry.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Hiring security guards
Why it's wrong here
Guards can be socially engineered or distracted.
Reviewing keycard access logs
Why it's wrong here
Logs are for auditing, not prevention.
Installing CCTV cameras
Why it's wrong here
CCTV is for monitoring, not preventing in real-time.
Implementing a mantrap at the entrance
Why this is correct
Mantraps physically enforce one-person entry, preventing tailgating.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between preventive, detective, and corrective controls; the trap here is that candidates mistake surveillance (CCTV) or logging (access logs) for active prevention, when only a mantrap provides a physical barrier that stops tailgating in real time.
Detailed technical explanation
A mantrap typically integrates with an electronic access control system (EACS) using sensors (e.g., weight pads, infrared beams) to detect the presence of a single person. In high-security environments, the mantrap may include biometric verification (e.g., fingerprint or iris scan) at each door, and if two people enter the vestibule, both doors lock and an alarm triggers. This aligns with the principle of 'defense in depth' where physical controls complement logical controls to enforce the 'no piggybacking' policy.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CEH 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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Social Engineering and Physical Security — This question tests Social Engineering and Physical Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Implementing a mantrap at the entrance — A mantrap is a physical security access control system consisting of two interlocking doors that create a small vestibule. Only one door can be opened at a time, and authentication (e.g., keycard + biometric) is required to pass through both. This design physically prevents an unauthorized person from following an authorized person into the facility, directly mitigating tailgating attacks by enforcing strict one-person-per-authentication entry.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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