- A
Install a cable lock on each laptop
Why wrong: Cable locks are impractical for mobile student use and would restrict portability.
- B
Use a laptop safe
Why wrong: Laptop safes are for storage, not for daily use; they would prevent students from taking devices home.
- C
Apply asset tracking tags
Asset tags (e.g., RFID or barcode) help track and recover stolen laptops without hindering normal use.
- D
Enable a BIOS password
Why wrong: A BIOS password protects data but does not physically prevent theft or aid in recovery.
Question 713 of 750
Asset Tracking Tags: Deter Theft and Aid Recovery
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 school district is deploying laptops to students and wants to deter theft while keeping devices usable. Which physical security control should they implement on the laptops?
Quick Answer
The answer is to apply asset tracking tags, because these tags serve as a visible deterrent and provide a clear method for recovery if a laptop is stolen. Unlike more invasive controls like cable locks or BIOS passwords that can hinder usability, asset tracking tags allow the device to remain fully functional for students while still marking it as school property, which discourages theft and enables identification by law enforcement. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of balancing physical security with operational needs—a common trap is choosing a solution like a Kensington lock that limits mobility or a TPM that doesn’t aid recovery. Remember that asset tracking tags are passive deterrents, not active locks, so they work best when combined with inventory management. A simple memory tip: “Tag it, don’t lock it—recovery beats restriction.”
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
✓
Apply asset tracking tags
Asset tracking tags (e.g., RFID or GPS-enabled stickers) provide a non-intrusive way to monitor and recover laptops if stolen, without hindering normal use. They deter theft by enabling location tracking and inventory management, which aligns with the school's goal of keeping devices usable while reducing loss.
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 cable lock on each laptop
Why it's wrong here
Cable locks are impractical for mobile student use and would restrict portability.
- ✗
Use a laptop safe
Why it's wrong here
Laptop safes are for storage, not for daily use; they would prevent students from taking devices home.
- ✓
Apply asset tracking tags
Why this is correct
Asset tags (e.g., RFID or barcode) help track and recover stolen laptops without hindering normal use.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable a BIOS password
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS password protects data but does not physically prevent theft or aid in recovery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between physical controls (e.g., locks, safes, tags) and logical controls (e.g., BIOS passwords, encryption), and the trap here is confusing a BIOS password as a physical security measure when it is actually a logical access control.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Asset tracking tags often use passive RFID (e.g., EPC Gen2) or active GPS/Bluetooth for real-time location, with cloud-based asset management platforms like Cisco Meraki Systems Manager or RFID readers at choke points. In a school environment, these tags can be embedded in the laptop chassis or applied as tamper-evident stickers, triggering alerts if removed or taken beyond a geofenced area.
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.
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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: Apply asset tracking tags — Asset tracking tags (e.g., RFID or GPS-enabled stickers) provide a non-intrusive way to monitor and recover laptops if stolen, without hindering normal use. They deter theft by enabling location tracking and inventory management, which aligns with the school's goal of keeping devices usable while reducing loss.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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