- A
The employee might lose their badge
Why wrong: While losing a badge is a concern, the immediate risk is unauthorized access through the propped door.
- B
It violates company badge policy
Why wrong: This is true but is a policy issue; the primary security risk is the bypassed access control.
- C
Unauthorized persons can enter without credentials
Propping a door open eliminates the need for authentication, creating a direct security breach.
- D
The door lock may break from being forced open
Why wrong: Physical damage is possible but not the most pressing security concern compared to unauthorized entry.
Question 385 of 750
220-1202 Physical Security Controls Practice Question
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.
During a routine security audit, you find that an employee has taped their door lock open to avoid using their badge every time they leave for a break. What is the most immediate security concern with this practice?
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
✓
Unauthorized persons can enter without credentials
Option C is correct because propping a door lock open bypasses the physical access control system (PACS), allowing anyone—including unauthorized individuals—to enter the secured area without presenting valid credentials (e.g., a proximity card or PIN). This directly defeats the purpose of the access control mechanism, which is to authenticate and log each entry. The most immediate risk is that an attacker or tailgater can gain unrestricted physical access to sensitive assets, systems, or data.
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.
- ✗
The employee might lose their badge
Why it's wrong here
While losing a badge is a concern, the immediate risk is unauthorized access through the propped door.
- ✗
It violates company badge policy
Why it's wrong here
This is true but is a policy issue; the primary security risk is the bypassed access control.
- ✓
Unauthorized persons can enter without credentials
Why this is correct
Propping a door open eliminates the need for authentication, creating a direct security breach.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The door lock may break from being forced open
Why it's wrong here
Physical damage is possible but not the most pressing security concern compared to unauthorized entry.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the distinction between a policy violation and an actual security vulnerability—candidates may pick Option B because they focus on compliance rather than the immediate operational risk of unauthorized physical access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical PACS, a door lock is controlled by an electronic strike or magnetic lock that releases only when a valid credential is presented to a reader (e.g., 125 kHz proximity or 13.56 MHz smart card). Taping the lock open disables the fail-secure or fail-safe logic, meaning the door remains unlocked even during a power loss or alarm condition. In a real-world scenario, an attacker could exploit this during a shift change or lunch break to gain access to a server room or wiring closet, bypassing audit trails entirely.
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: Unauthorized persons can enter without credentials — Option C is correct because propping a door lock open bypasses the physical access control system (PACS), allowing anyone—including unauthorized individuals—to enter the secured area without presenting valid credentials (e.g., a proximity card or PIN). This directly defeats the purpose of the access control mechanism, which is to authenticate and log each entry. The most immediate risk is that an attacker or tailgater can gain unrestricted physical access to sensitive assets, systems, or data.
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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