- A
File-level encryption using EFS
Why wrong: EFS encrypts individual files but can leave system files and metadata exposed, offering less comprehensive protection than FDE.
- B
BitLocker Drive Encryption
BitLocker provides full disk encryption, protecting all data on the drive, which is ideal for stolen laptops.
- C
TPM chip only
Why wrong: A TPM chip stores encryption keys but does not encrypt data by itself; it must be used with FDE software.
- D
Secure Boot
Why wrong: Secure Boot ensures only trusted OS components load but does not encrypt stored data.
Question 201 of 750
Full Disk Encryption: BitLocker for Stolen Laptops
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of logical security concepts. 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 requires that all sensitive data be encrypted when stored on laptops. Which technology should be implemented to ensure data is protected even if a laptop is stolen?
Quick Answer
The answer is BitLocker Drive Encryption, the correct technology to protect sensitive data on a stolen laptop. This is because BitLocker implements full disk encryption (FDE), which encrypts the entire drive, including the operating system, applications, and all files, making the data completely unreadable without the proper decryption key or authentication. In the context of the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of data protection and physical security controls, often appearing in scenarios involving lost or stolen devices. A common trap is confusing file-level encryption (like EFS) with full disk encryption; remember that BitLocker protects the entire volume at boot time, while EFS only protects individual files after the OS is running. A helpful memory tip: think of BitLocker as locking the entire room, not just the filing cabinet inside it.
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
✓
BitLocker Drive Encryption
BitLocker Drive Encryption provides full-volume encryption that protects all data on the system drive, including the operating system, applications, and user files. Even if a laptop is stolen and the hard drive is removed, the data remains inaccessible without the correct recovery key or authentication credentials, ensuring compliance with data protection requirements.
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.
- ✗
File-level encryption using EFS
Why it's wrong here
EFS encrypts individual files but can leave system files and metadata exposed, offering less comprehensive protection than FDE.
- ✓
BitLocker Drive Encryption
Why this is correct
BitLocker provides full disk encryption, protecting all data on the drive, which is ideal for stolen laptops.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
TPM chip only
Why it's wrong here
A TPM chip stores encryption keys but does not encrypt data by itself; it must be used with FDE software.
- ✗
Secure Boot
Why it's wrong here
Secure Boot ensures only trusted OS components load but does not encrypt stored data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse file-level encryption (EFS) with full-disk encryption, mistakenly believing that encrypting individual files provides sufficient protection for an entire stolen laptop, when in fact EFS leaves system files, temporary files, and the pagefile unencrypted and vulnerable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BitLocker uses AES encryption (typically 128-bit or 256-bit) in XTS or CBC mode to encrypt the entire volume at the block level, transparently encrypting and decrypting data as it is read or written. When combined with a TPM, BitLocker can bind encryption keys to the specific hardware, preventing the drive from being decrypted even if it is moved to another computer, and it supports additional protectors such as a PIN, USB key, or recovery password for multi-factor authentication.
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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Logical Security Concepts — study guide chapter
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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: BitLocker Drive Encryption — BitLocker Drive Encryption provides full-volume encryption that protects all data on the system drive, including the operating system, applications, and user files. Even if a laptop is stolen and the hard drive is removed, the data remains inaccessible without the correct recovery key or authentication credentials, ensuring compliance with data protection requirements.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 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 policy requires that all sensitive data stored on laptops must be unreadable if the device is lost or stolen. A technician is tasked with implementing a solution that works transparently for users. Which approach should they take?
easy- ✓ A.Enable BitLocker drive encryption on each laptop.
- B.Set a BIOS password on each laptop.
- C.Implement a folder-level password policy using EFS.
- D.Configure a screensaver password with a 1-minute timeout.
Why A: BitLocker drive encryption provides full-disk encryption that operates transparently to the user, automatically encrypting all data on the system drive. If the laptop is lost or stolen, the data remains unreadable without the decryption key, satisfying the policy requirement without requiring user intervention.
Variation 2. An organization wants to ensure that even if a laptop is stolen, the data on the hard drive cannot be read. The laptop runs Windows 10 Pro and is used by employees who travel frequently. Which security feature should be enabled?
hard- ✓ A.Enable BitLocker Drive Encryption on the system drive.
- B.Set a strong BIOS/UEFI password.
- C.Configure a screensaver password with a short timeout.
- D.Use EFS to encrypt individual files and folders.
Why A: BitLocker Drive Encryption is the correct choice because it encrypts the entire system drive at the block level, using AES encryption (typically 128-bit or 256-bit) with a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) to protect the encryption keys. This ensures that if the laptop is stolen, the hard drive cannot be removed and read from another system, as the data remains encrypted without the correct authentication (e.g., TPM + PIN or recovery key).
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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