- A
Biometric readers
Correct. Biometric readers are physical access controls.
- B
Encryption of data at rest
Why wrong: Encryption is a data protection control, not physical.
- C
Mantraps
Correct. Mantraps are physical controls that prevent tailgating.
- D
Firewalls
Why wrong: Firewalls are network security, not physical.
- E
Intrusion detection system (IDS)
Why wrong: IDS is a network security monitoring tool.
Question 954 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.
Which TWO controls are examples of physical security controls that can help prevent unauthorized access to a data center? (Select TWO.)
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
✓
Biometric readers
Biometric readers are a physical security control that authenticates individuals based on unique biological traits (e.g., fingerprints, iris patterns). They prevent unauthorized access by ensuring only enrolled personnel can enter the data center, directly controlling physical entry points.
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.
- ✓
Biometric readers
Why this is correct
Correct. Biometric readers are physical access controls.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Encryption of data at rest
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is a data protection control, not physical.
- ✓
Mantraps
Why this is correct
Correct. Mantraps are physical controls that prevent tailgating.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Firewalls
Why it's wrong here
Firewalls are network security, not physical.
- ✗
Intrusion detection system (IDS)
Why it's wrong here
IDS is a network security monitoring tool.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'physical security controls' with 'technical/administrative controls'—for example, selecting encryption or firewalls because they 'secure' the data center, but they do not prevent physical entry.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Mantraps operate as interlocking doors where the first door must close and lock before the second door can open, often integrated with access control systems (e.g., card readers, biometrics) and weight sensors to prevent tailgating. In high-security data centers, mantraps may include additional features like metal detection or facial recognition to enforce two-person integrity rules. Biometric readers use liveness detection (e.g., pulse, capacitance) to resist spoofing attacks, and false acceptance rates (FAR) are typically tuned to 1 in 100,000 or lower for critical facilities.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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: Biometric readers — Biometric readers are a physical security control that authenticates individuals based on unique biological traits (e.g., fingerprints, iris patterns). They prevent unauthorized access by ensuring only enrolled personnel can enter the data center, directly controlling physical entry points.
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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