- A
A key lock and a fire extinguisher
Why wrong: A key lock provides basic access control but lacks auditability; a fire extinguisher is safety, not environmental monitoring.
- B
An electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor
The badge reader controls and logs access; the temperature sensor monitors environmental conditions to prevent overheating.
- C
A biometric scanner and a security camera
Why wrong: Both are security-focused; environmental hazards like temperature or humidity are not addressed.
- D
A combination lock and a humidity monitor
Why wrong: Combination locks lack audit trails and can be shared; humidity monitor is good but not paired with a robust access control.
Question 722 of 750
Server Room Physical Security: Access Control and Environmental Monitoring
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.
A company is moving to a new office and wants to secure its server room against both unauthorized entry and environmental hazards. Which combination of physical controls should be implemented?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is an electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor. This combination directly addresses the two core pillars of server room physical security: controlling access to prevent unauthorized entry and monitoring environmental conditions to protect hardware from hazards like overheating or humidity damage. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding that physical security controls must cover both access control and environmental monitoring, not just one or the other. A common trap is choosing a lock and a fire extinguisher—while fire suppression is important, it is a response measure, not a continuous monitoring control like a sensor. Remember the pairing: “Badge to badge in, sensor to sense the heat”—if the question asks for both security and environmental protection, look for one access device and one monitoring device.
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
✓
An electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor
Option B is correct because the question requires controls that address both unauthorized entry (electronic badge reader) and environmental hazards (temperature sensor). An electronic badge reader provides access control by authenticating users before entry, while a temperature sensor monitors environmental conditions to detect overheating or fire risks, enabling proactive responses to protect server equipment.
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.
- ✗
A key lock and a fire extinguisher
Why it's wrong here
A key lock provides basic access control but lacks auditability; a fire extinguisher is safety, not environmental monitoring.
- ✓
An electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor
Why this is correct
The badge reader controls and logs access; the temperature sensor monitors environmental conditions to prevent overheating.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A biometric scanner and a security camera
Why it's wrong here
Both are security-focused; environmental hazards like temperature or humidity are not addressed.
- ✗
A combination lock and a humidity monitor
Why it's wrong here
Combination locks lack audit trails and can be shared; humidity monitor is good but not paired with a robust access control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates pick options that address only one of the two required categories (unauthorized entry or environmental hazards) instead of both.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Electronic badge readers typically use RFID or smart card technology with a backend access control system that logs entry attempts and can integrate with time-based or role-based policies. Temperature sensors in server rooms are often part of a Building Management System (BMS) or Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) that triggers alerts or automatic shutdowns if thresholds (e.g., 80°F/27°C) are exceeded, preventing equipment damage from overheating. In real-world scenarios, a badge reader without environmental monitoring leaves servers vulnerable to heat-induced failures, while a temperature sensor without access control allows unauthorized personnel to bypass physical security.
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?
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: An electronic badge reader and a temperature sensor — Option B is correct because the question requires controls that address both unauthorized entry (electronic badge reader) and environmental hazards (temperature sensor). An electronic badge reader provides access control by authenticating users before entry, while a temperature sensor monitors environmental conditions to detect overheating or fire risks, enabling proactive responses to protect server equipment.
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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