- A
Install a CCTV camera in the closet
Why wrong: CCTV records incidents but does not prevent cloning or unauthorized access at the moment of entry.
- B
Use a biometric reader instead of RFID
Biometrics cannot be cloned like an RFID badge, as they rely on unique physical characteristics.
- C
Add a door sensor alarm
Why wrong: Door alarms detect forced entry but do not prevent access with a cloned credential.
- D
Require a second factor like a PIN
Why wrong: Two-factor authentication (badge + PIN) would help, but the question asks for the most effective against cloning specifically; biometrics eliminate the cloning vector entirely.
Question 231 of 750
Biometric Reader to Prevent RFID Cloning
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of physical security controls. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During a security incident investigation, you discover that an attacker gained physical access to a network closet by using a cloned RFID badge. Which control would have most effectively prevented this type of attack?
Quick Answer
The answer is a biometric reader, because it prevents RFID cloning by requiring a unique physical trait—like a fingerprint or iris scan—that cannot be duplicated or replayed, unlike a passive RFID badge which broadcasts a static identifier that attackers can easily capture and clone. Smart cards with embedded cryptographic chips offer stronger protection than basic RFID, but a biometric reader eliminates the credential-cloning vector entirely by tying access to the user’s live presence. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of physical security controls and the difference between something you have (a badge) versus something you are (biometrics). A common trap is choosing a smart card because it is harder to clone than RFID, but the exam wants you to recognize that biometrics stop cloning at the source. Memory tip: “Biometrics beat badges—you can’t clone a fingerprint.”
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
✓
Use a biometric reader instead of RFID
A biometric reader (e.g., fingerprint or iris scanner) is the most effective control because it authenticates based on a unique physical trait that cannot be cloned or duplicated like an RFID badge. Since the attacker used a cloned RFID badge, a biometric system would have required the attacker's own biometric data, which they cannot replicate from the legitimate user. This directly addresses the root cause of the attack—credential theft via cloning—rather than merely detecting or delaying it.
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 CCTV camera in the closet
Why it's wrong here
CCTV records incidents but does not prevent cloning or unauthorized access at the moment of entry.
- ✓
Use a biometric reader instead of RFID
Why this is correct
Biometrics cannot be cloned like an RFID badge, as they rely on unique physical characteristics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add a door sensor alarm
Why it's wrong here
Door alarms detect forced entry but do not prevent access with a cloned credential.
- ✗
Require a second factor like a PIN
Why it's wrong here
Two-factor authentication (badge + PIN) would help, but the question asks for the most effective against cloning specifically; biometrics eliminate the cloning vector entirely.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between preventive and detective controls, and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'detecting' an intrusion (CCTV, door alarm) with 'preventing' the root cause (biometric authentication), leading them to choose a reactive measure instead of a proactive one.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RFID badges typically use low-frequency (125 kHz) or high-frequency (13.56 MHz) passive tags that transmit a static identifier when energized by a reader. Attackers can clone these with off-the-shelf tools like Proxmark3 by capturing the tag's UID during a brief proximity encounter. Biometric readers, such as capacitive fingerprint sensors or iris scanners, rely on liveness detection and unique physiological patterns that are computationally infeasible to replicate, making them resistant to cloning attacks even if the reader's database is compromised.
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.
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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: Use a biometric reader instead of RFID — A biometric reader (e.g., fingerprint or iris scanner) is the most effective control because it authenticates based on a unique physical trait that cannot be cloned or duplicated like an RFID badge. Since the attacker used a cloned RFID badge, a biometric system would have required the attacker's own biometric data, which they cannot replicate from the legitimate user. This directly addresses the root cause of the attack—credential theft via cloning—rather than merely detecting or delaying it.
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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