Quick Answer
The answer is security cameras, which serve as a physical security control because they deter, detect, and record unauthorized physical access or activity within a facility. As a tangible barrier and monitoring tool, security cameras directly protect assets and premises by providing real-time surveillance and forensic evidence, distinguishing them from logical controls like firewalls or administrative controls like policies. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your ability to classify controls by their primary function—physical, logical, or administrative—and often appears in scenario-based items where you must identify which measure physically secures a location. A common trap is confusing security cameras with logical controls, but remember: if it touches, watches, or blocks the physical space, it’s physical. Memory tip: “Cameras catch the physical act” — if it records a person’s movement, it’s a physical control.
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. 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.
Which control type is considered a physical security control?
Firewall rules
Why wrong: Firewall rules are a technical control.
Security cameras
Security cameras are a physical control that monitors the environment.
User training
Why wrong: User training is an administrative control.
Encryption
Why wrong: Encryption is a technical control.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Security cameras
Security cameras are a physical security control because they deter, detect, and record unauthorized physical access or activity in a facility. They are deployed as part of a layered physical security strategy, often integrated with access control systems and monitored by security personnel. Unlike logical or administrative controls, cameras directly protect tangible assets and premises.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Firewall rules
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules are a technical control.
Security cameras
Why this is correct
Security cameras are a physical control that monitors the environment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
User training
Why it's wrong here
User training is an administrative control.
Encryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is a technical control.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between physical, administrative, and technical controls, and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'security cameras' as a monitoring/logging control (which is technical) rather than recognizing that the camera hardware itself is a physical asset deployed for physical security.
Detailed technical explanation
Physical security controls operate at the perimeter, facility, and asset levels, often using technologies like CCTV with motion detection, door contact sensors, and biometric readers. In a real-world scenario, security cameras may feed into a video management system (VMS) that uses analytics to trigger alerts on unauthorized entry, and footage is retained for forensic investigation. This contrasts with logical controls like firewalls, which operate at OSI Layer 3/4 and have no effect on physical intrusion.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Security cameras — Security cameras are a physical security control because they deter, detect, and record unauthorized physical access or activity in a facility. They are deployed as part of a layered physical security strategy, often integrated with access control systems and monitored by security personnel. Unlike logical or administrative controls, cameras directly protect tangible assets and premises.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.
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