SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
Which physical security control is designed to prevent tailgating by allowing only one person to enter at a time?
⚠ Common exam trap
SSCP often tests the distinction between preventive and detective physical controls — candidates pick CCTV or guards because they 'watch the door,' but only a mantrap physically enforces one-person-at-a-time entry.
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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Mantrap
A mantrap (also called an access control vestibule or airlock) is a small enclosed space with two interlocking doors that allows only one person through at a time, directly preventing tailgating. The first door must close and the person must be authenticated before the second door opens, so an unauthorized follower cannot slip in behind an authorized user. This is the physical control explicitly designed for anti-tailgating.
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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CCTV camera
Why it's wrong here
CCTV records events for later review, so it detects and evidences tailgating after the fact rather than physically restricting entry to one person. It is tempting because cameras deter and provide forensic footage, and would be the right choice when the requirement is monitoring or investigating an entrance, not enforcing single-person passage.
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Security guard
Why it's wrong here
A guard observes and challenges people but cannot mechanically enforce one-person-at-a-time entry; a person can still follow closely behind an authorised individual. Guards are the right choice where judgement, verification of credentials or response to incidents is needed, rather than a barrier that physically meters each entry.
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Biometric reader
Why it's wrong here
A biometric reader authenticates identity but does not physically restrict entry to one person; an attacker can still follow an authenticated user through the open door. Biometrics are correct where identity verification is the control objective, not counting or limiting bodies passing through.
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Mantrap
Why this is correct
A mantrap uses two interlocking doors with an occupancy sensor, admitting one person into a holding vestibule before the second door releases. This directly enforces the single-person entry constraint that defeats tailgating, unlike turnstiles or access badges, which cannot verify that only one individual passes per 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 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.