- A
Principle of least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege is about granting only necessary access rights, not about keeping passwords secret. The sticky note issue is about confidentiality, not authorization levels.
- B
Account lockout policy
Why wrong: Account lockout policies prevent brute-force attacks after multiple failed attempts. They do not address the physical exposure of passwords.
- C
Password confidentiality
Password confidentiality requires that passwords be known only to the authorized user. Writing them on sticky notes compromises this by making them visible to others.
- D
Multi-factor authentication
Why wrong: MFA adds an extra layer of security, but the core issue here is that passwords are being exposed, which would still be a problem even with MFA.
Why Writing Passwords on Sticky Notes Violates Security
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of logical security concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 audit, an administrator discovers that several employees have written their domain passwords on sticky notes attached to their monitors. The company policy requires strong passwords and prohibits sharing credentials. Which security principle is being violated?
Quick Answer
The answer is password confidentiality, as the core security principle being violated when employees write passwords on sticky notes attached to monitors. Password confidentiality requires that credentials remain secret and known only to the authorized user; placing them in plain sight on a desk or screen directly undermines this by making them easily observable to anyone passing by, including unauthorized personnel, visitors, or even cleaning staff. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your grasp of fundamental security best practices, often appearing in questions about social engineering or physical security controls. A common trap is confusing confidentiality with integrity or availability, but remember that confidentiality is about keeping information hidden from unauthorized eyes. For a quick memory tip, think of the three letters CIA: Confidentiality is the “C” that gets broken the moment a password leaves your head and lands on a sticky note.
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
Password confidentiality
Password confidentiality is the principle that passwords must be kept secret and known only to the authorized user. By writing domain passwords on sticky notes attached to monitors, employees are exposing credentials to anyone with physical access, directly violating this principle. The company policy explicitly prohibits sharing credentials, and this practice undermines the security of the domain authentication system.
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.
- ✗
Principle of least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege is about granting only necessary access rights, not about keeping passwords secret. The sticky note issue is about confidentiality, not authorization levels.
- ✗
Account lockout policy
Why it's wrong here
Account lockout policies prevent brute-force attacks after multiple failed attempts. They do not address the physical exposure of passwords.
- ✓
Password confidentiality
Why this is correct
Password confidentiality requires that passwords be known only to the authorized user. Writing them on sticky notes compromises this by making them visible to others.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Multi-factor authentication
Why it's wrong here
MFA adds an extra layer of security, but the core issue here is that passwords are being exposed, which would still be a problem even with MFA.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between password confidentiality (keeping passwords secret) and other security controls like least privilege or MFA, leading candidates to confuse the principle of not sharing credentials with access restriction or authentication methods.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Active Directory environments, domain passwords are hashed using NTLM or Kerberos protocols and stored in the NTDS.dit file. When a password is written down and visible, it bypasses all technical controls such as password complexity enforcement (e.g., requiring 12+ characters with uppercase, lowercase, digits, and symbols) and account lockout thresholds, because an attacker can simply read the password and authenticate as that user. Real-world scenarios include social engineering attacks where an attacker photographs a sticky note from across a desk, gaining domain access without triggering any alerts.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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.
- →
Logical Security Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
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.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Logical Security Concepts — This question tests Logical Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Password confidentiality — Password confidentiality is the principle that passwords must be kept secret and known only to the authorized user. By writing domain passwords on sticky notes attached to monitors, employees are exposing credentials to anyone with physical access, directly violating this principle. The company policy explicitly prohibits sharing credentials, and this practice undermines the security of the domain authentication system.
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 →
Keep practising
More 220-1202 practice questions
- During a Windows 10 deployment, you need to ensure that a specific Group Policy setting is applied to a computer before…
- After installing a new printer driver, a user's Windows 11 computer crashes with a blue screen error every time they try…
- A user reports that their Windows 10 computer is infected with a virus that keeps reinstalling itself after removal. Wha…
- A customer reports that their Windows 10 laptop is displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. They suspect a ma…
- A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who handles sensitive financial data. The company po…
- A technician is responding to a security incident where an employee's credentials were used to access a server without a…
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.
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.
Sign in to join the discussion.