SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
In SSCP, candidates often confuse detective controls (like CCTV) with preventive/deterrent controls (like time-delay alarms). CCTV monitors but does not actively prevent the unsafe behavior of propping the door open; an alarm provides immediate feedback and deters the action.
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.
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.
- ✗
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.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.