- A
Install a biometric fingerprint scanner on the door.
Why wrong: Biometric scanners are generally more expensive and complex to manage than key fobs, making them less suitable for a limited budget.
- B
Require a smart card or key fob to unlock the door.
Smart cards or key fobs are relatively inexpensive, easy to manage, and provide a logical access control mechanism that can be quickly revoked if lost.
- C
Implement a strong password policy for all user accounts.
Why wrong: Password policies are for digital access, not physical door entry. They do not control who can physically enter the server room.
- D
Hire a security guard to check IDs at the entrance.
Why wrong: A security guard is a physical security control and is typically more expensive over time than an electronic access system, not a logical control.
Logical Security Controls: Server Room Access
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.
A small business wants to ensure that only authorized personnel can access the server room. The budget is limited, and they need a simple, cost-effective solution. Which logical security control should they implement first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Quick Answer
The answer is to require a smart card or key fob to unlock the door. This is correct because logical security controls, such as possession-based authentication, restrict access to digital resources and systems, and for physical server room access, a smart card or key fob provides a simple, cost-effective balance of security by requiring something the user possesses. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish logical controls from physical barriers like locks or biometrics, and a common trap is choosing a high-cost solution like a retinal scanner when the prompt emphasizes a limited budget. Remember that logical security controls for server room access often start with the “something you have” factor before moving to “something you are.” A helpful memory tip is “Possess to Protect”—if you possess the fob, you possess the access.
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
Require a smart card or key fob to unlock the door.
A smart card or key fob provides a simple, cost-effective logical access control for the server room door. It authenticates users via a physical token and a PIN or proximity reader, which is far cheaper than biometric systems and more reliable than a password policy that doesn't control physical entry. This directly restricts physical access to authorized personnel without ongoing costs like a security guard.
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 biometric fingerprint scanner on the door.
Why it's wrong here
Biometric scanners are generally more expensive and complex to manage than key fobs, making them less suitable for a limited budget.
- ✓
Require a smart card or key fob to unlock the door.
Why this is correct
Smart cards or key fobs are relatively inexpensive, easy to manage, and provide a logical access control mechanism that can be quickly revoked if lost.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement a strong password policy for all user accounts.
Why it's wrong here
Password policies are for digital access, not physical door entry. They do not control who can physically enter the server room.
- ✗
Hire a security guard to check IDs at the entrance.
Why it's wrong here
A security guard is a physical security control and is typically more expensive over time than an electronic access system, not a logical control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between logical and physical security controls, and the trap here is that candidates confuse a strong password policy (a logical control for user accounts) with a physical access control mechanism for a server room door.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Smart card and key fob systems typically use RFID (125 kHz or 13.56 MHz) or NFC for proximity authentication, with the credential stored on a secure chip. The reader validates the token against an access control list (ACL) in a local or cloud-based controller, often using Wiegand or OSDP protocols. In a real-world scenario, a small business might use a $50–$100 standalone keypad with a fob reader, which can be easily reprogrammed as employees change, avoiding the high cost and complexity of biometric enrollment.
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?
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: Require a smart card or key fob to unlock the door. — A smart card or key fob provides a simple, cost-effective logical access control for the server room door. It authenticates users via a physical token and a PIN or proximity reader, which is far cheaper than biometric systems and more reliable than a password policy that doesn't control physical entry. This directly restricts physical access to authorized personnel without ongoing costs like a security guard.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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