easyMultiple Choice
ISC2 CC Practice Question: Which security control is most effective in…
Which security control is most effective in preventing unauthorized physical access to a data center?
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
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Mantraps.
Mantraps create a double-door system that prevents tailgating, making them highly effective. Other controls like video surveillance and guards are deterrents but less direct at preventing unauthorized entry.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Mantraps.
Why this is correct
Mantraps create an interlocking double-door airlock that admits only one authenticated person at a time, physically defeating tailgating and piggybacking. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement to prevent unauthorised physical access, since credentials alone cannot stop an attacker following an employee through a single doorway.
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Video surveillance.
Why it's wrong here
Video surveillance records access attempts but does not stop them; it is detective, not preventive. It is tempting because cameras deter and document incidents, so surveillance would be correct if the requirement were monitoring, auditing, or post-incident identification rather than blocking entry.
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Biometric door locks.
Why it's wrong here
Biometric door locks authenticate one person per entry, so a single enrolled user can hold the door for others, and they fail open on power loss. They are tempting because they provide strong individual verification, which is the correct control for restricting access to a high-security room such as a server cage.
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Security guards.
Why it's wrong here
Security guards verify identity but cannot physically stop every tailgating attempt, and their coverage varies with shift changes and patrol routes. They are tempting because they add human judgement and response, which is the correct control for deterrence, visitor escorting and incident response rather than continuous door enforcement.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Physical Access Controls
Key term
Security control
A security control is a safeguard or countermeasure designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems and data.
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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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