ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
Which of the following is the most effective way to prevent tailgating in a secured facility?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is choosing a technical control (cameras, keycards, guards) when the question asks for the 'most effective' prevention of a human-behavior attack — CC exams emphasize that training addresses the root cause.
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
✓
Training employees to not hold doors open for unknown individuals.
Tailgating exploits social trust — an attacker follows an authorized person through a door. Training employees to challenge and not hold doors for unknown individuals directly addresses the human behavior that enables tailgating, making it the most effective preventive control. Technical controls alone cannot stop a person who is willingly allowed through.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Training employees to not hold doors open for unknown individuals.
Why this is correct
Tailgating exploits social courtesy, so training employees to challenge or refuse entry to unfamiliar individuals removes the human behaviour attackers rely on. This directly addresses the unauthorised-follow-in vector, which locks and turnstiles alone cannot prevent.
- ✗
Installing security cameras at all entrances.
Why it's wrong here
Cameras record tailgating after it happens, providing forensic evidence rather than physically stopping an unauthorised person from following an authenticated one through the door. They are tempting because surveillance deters and supports investigations; cameras would be the right control when the requirement is monitoring and post-incident review, not prevention.
- ✗
Using keycard access for all doors.
Why it's wrong here
Keycard access authenticates only the person badging in; an unauthorised individual can still walk through behind them, so it does not enforce single-entry. It is tempting because it controls who may open the door; keycard access is correct where the requirement is restricting entry to authorised identities, not preventing piggybacking.
- ✗
Hiring security guards to monitor entrances.
Why it's wrong here
A guard watching an entrance can be distracted or socially engineered, and one person cannot reliably verify every badge while also responding to incidents, so unauthorised entry still occurs. Guards are tempting because they add human judgement and deterrence; they are the right choice where visitor screening, challenge and response, or escalation are needed.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
Preventive control
A preventive control is a security measure designed to stop unauthorized access, attacks, or errors before they can occur.
Key term
Tailgating
Tailgating is a physical security breach where an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area without proper authentication.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.