- A
Implement a clean desk policy
Why wrong: Clean desk policy is unrelated to physical access controls.
- B
Add a time-delay alarm that triggers if the door is open too long
Correct. This discourages propping and alerts security.
- C
Install a CCTV camera to monitor the mantrap
Why wrong: CCTV is detective, not preventive.
- D
Use biometric readers on both doors
Why wrong: Biometrics don't prevent propping open doors.
Question 168 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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.
During a physical security audit, it is discovered that employees often prop open the mantrap door to allow easier access. What is the BEST control to address this?
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
✓
Add a time-delay alarm that triggers if the door is open too long
A time-delay alarm is the best control because it directly addresses the root cause—employees propping the door open—by alerting security or triggering a response if the door remains open beyond a preset interval (e.g., 10–30 seconds). This maintains the integrity of the mantrap, which is designed to prevent tailgating and unauthorized access by ensuring only one person enters at a time. Unlike passive measures, the alarm provides immediate feedback and deterrence against the unsafe behavior.
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.
- ✗
Implement a clean desk policy
Why it's wrong here
Clean desk policy is unrelated to physical access controls.
- ✓
Add a time-delay alarm that triggers if the door is open too long
Why this is correct
Correct. This discourages propping and alerts security.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Install a CCTV camera to monitor the mantrap
Why it's wrong here
CCTV is detective, not preventive.
- ✗
Use biometric readers on both doors
Why it's wrong here
Biometrics don't prevent propping open doors.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between detective controls (CCTV) and preventive/deterrent controls (alarms), leading candidates to choose CCTV because it seems like a comprehensive solution, but it fails to actively stop the unsafe behavior in real time.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A mantrap typically uses a two-door interlock system where both doors cannot be opened simultaneously; propping one door bypasses this interlock, allowing tailgating. A time-delay alarm can be integrated with the door's magnetic contact switch and a programmable logic controller (PLC) to trigger an audible alert or lock the door after a set period (e.g., 15 seconds), often tied to a building management system (BMS) for logging. In real-world deployments, this alarm is often paired with a local strobe light to immediately signal the violation to nearby security personnel.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
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 SSCP question test?
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a time-delay alarm that triggers if the door is open too long — A time-delay alarm is the best control because it directly addresses the root cause—employees propping the door open—by alerting security or triggering a response if the door remains open beyond a preset interval (e.g., 10–30 seconds). This maintains the integrity of the mantrap, which is designed to prevent tailgating and unauthorized access by ensuring only one person enters at a time. Unlike passive measures, the alarm provides immediate feedback and deterrence against the unsafe behavior.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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