Question 375 of 750

Physical Security Controls →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Mantrap: The Gold Standard for One-Person-at-a-Time Entry

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of physical security controls. 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 company is designing a secure entry for a high-security lab. They need to ensure that only one person can enter at a time and that the person must be authenticated before the second door opens. Which physical security control should be used?

A
Turnstile with biometric reader
Why wrong: Turnstiles can control flow but do not typically have two interlocking doors that require authentication before the second door opens.
B
Security guard with logbook
Why wrong: A guard can monitor entry but is not a physical control that mechanically enforces one-person entry; it relies on human vigilance.
C
Mantrap with smart card and biometric authentication
A mantrap uses two doors; the first door locks after entry, and the second door only unlocks after successful authentication, ensuring single-person access.
D
Cipher lock with door alarm
Why wrong: A cipher lock and alarm do not prevent multiple people from entering together; they only alert if the door is forced.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is a mantrap with smart card and biometric authentication. This physical security control is the gold standard for high-security labs because it uses two interlocking doors that create a small vestibule, allowing only one person at a time to enter after successful authentication—typically via a smart card and biometric scan—before the second door unlocks. This design directly prevents tailgating and piggybacking, as any unauthorized individual attempting to follow an authorized person through the first door will be trapped until the first person exits or security intervenes. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this concept tests your understanding of physical security controls for restricted areas, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish a mantrap from simpler solutions like a turnstile or access badge alone. A common trap is confusing a mantrap with a simple locked door or turnstile, which cannot enforce one-person-at-a-time entry. Memory tip: think “two doors, one person, no tailgating”—the mantrap acts like an airlock for people.

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

✓

Mantrap with smart card and biometric authentication

A mantrap (also called an interlocking door system) is the correct physical security control because it creates a small vestibule with two interlocking doors that prevent more than one person from entering at a time. The requirement for smart card and biometric authentication ensures that the person must be authenticated before the second door opens, providing both identity verification and access control. This design enforces a strict one-person entry sequence and prevents tailgating or piggybacking.

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.

✗
Turnstile with biometric reader
Why it's wrong here
Turnstiles can control flow but do not typically have two interlocking doors that require authentication before the second door opens.
✗
Security guard with logbook
Why it's wrong here
A guard can monitor entry but is not a physical control that mechanically enforces one-person entry; it relies on human vigilance.
✓
Mantrap with smart card and biometric authentication
Why this is correct
A mantrap uses two doors; the first door locks after entry, and the second door only unlocks after successful authentication, ensuring single-person access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Cipher lock with door alarm
Why it's wrong here
A cipher lock and alarm do not prevent multiple people from entering together; they only alert if the door is forced.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between a turnstile (which only prevents tailgating but does not enforce a two-door interlock with authentication) and a mantrap (which provides a secure vestibule with interlocking doors and mandatory authentication before the second door opens).

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

A mantrap typically uses a programmable logic controller (PLC) to manage door interlock logic, ensuring that only one door can be opened at a time and that the second door remains locked until the first door is closed and authentication is verified. In high-security environments, the mantrap may also include weight sensors, motion detectors, or video analytics to detect attempts at tailgating or multiple occupants. Real-world implementations often integrate with an access control system using protocols like Wiegand or OSDP for smart card readers and biometric templates stored on a central server.

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.

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.

Related 220-1202 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.

Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.

Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.

Windows Administrative Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.

macOS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.

Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.

Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.

Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.

Physical Security Controls practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.

Logical Security Concepts practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.

Wireless Security Protocols practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.

Malware Types and Removal practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.

Practice this exam

Start a free 220-1202 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

220-1202 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

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: Mantrap with smart card and biometric authentication — A mantrap (also called an interlocking door system) is the correct physical security control because it creates a small vestibule with two interlocking doors that prevent more than one person from entering at a time. The requirement for smart card and biometric authentication ensures that the person must be authenticated before the second door opens, providing both identity verification and access control. This design enforces a strict one-person entry sequence and prevents tailgating or piggybacking.

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

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202

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 company is implementing a new policy to prevent tailgating at the main entrance. Which physical security control should they deploy?

easy

A.Security cameras
B.Biometric reader
✓ C.Mantrap
D.Badge reader

Why C: A mantrap uses two interlocking doors to ensure only one person can enter at a time, effectively preventing tailgating. This tests understanding of specialized access controls designed to enforce one-person-per-authentication.

Keep practising

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.