CSP Access Control & Perimeter Security 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of barrier is most effective at stopping a vehicle traveling at 50 mph from breaching a perimeter?
- Concrete Jersey barrier rated K12 (Correct answer)
- Standard chain-link fence with barbed wire
- Decorative bollards rated for pedestrian use only
- Wooden split-rail fence with warning signs
Correct answer: Concrete Jersey barrier rated K12
A K12-rated concrete barrier is designed to stop a 15,000-lb vehicle traveling at 50 mph, meeting DoD anti-ram standards.
Question 2: In a layered perimeter security model, which zone is defined as the area immediately surrounding the facility structure itself?
- Outer perimeter zone
- Middle perimeter zone
- Inner perimeter zone (Correct answer)
- Controlled access zone
Correct answer: Inner perimeter zone
The inner perimeter zone is the area immediately surrounding the building envelope, representing the third layer in a concentric ring defense model.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a mantrap (or airlock entry) in access control?
- To detect weapons using X-ray screening
- To prevent tailgating by allowing only one person through at a time (Correct answer)
- To log visitor biometric data for later retrieval
- To serve as a fire egress staging area
Correct answer: To prevent tailgating by allowing only one person through at a time
A mantrap uses two interlocked doors so the second cannot open until the first is secured, physically preventing tailgating or piggybacking.
Question 4: A facility wants to deter intruders while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing exterior. Which perimeter solution best meets both goals?
- Razor wire atop an 8-foot chain-link fence
- Ornamental steel fencing with anti-climb spikes (Correct answer)
- Unlit gravel perimeter with motion detectors only
- Temporary construction barriers painted facility colors
Correct answer: Ornamental steel fencing with anti-climb spikes
Ornamental steel fencing with anti-climb spikes provides a strong physical deterrent while offering a professional, architecturally appropriate appearance.
Question 5: Which access control card technology is most vulnerable to skimming attacks because it broadcasts data continuously?
- Contact smart card (ISO 7816)
- Magnetic stripe card
- 125 kHz proximity (Prox) card (Correct answer)
- FIDO2 hardware token
Correct answer: 125 kHz proximity (Prox) card
125 kHz proximity cards continuously broadcast a fixed credential that can be captured by a reader held within a few inches, making them highly vulnerable to skimming.
Question 6: During a site survey, a CSP notices that a door's electric strike fails open when power is lost. This configuration is referred to as:
- Fail-secure
- Fail-safe (Correct answer)
- Fail-locked
- Fail-redundant
Correct answer: Fail-safe
Fail-safe (also called fail-open) means the locking mechanism defaults to unlocked during a power failure, prioritizing life safety over security.
Question 7: What does the term 'standoff distance' refer to in perimeter security planning?
- The minimum separation between two surveillance cameras
- The buffer zone between a potential threat and the protected asset (Correct answer)
- The maximum range of a perimeter intrusion detection sensor
- The required distance between a guard post and the access control reader
Correct answer: The buffer zone between a potential threat and the protected asset
Standoff distance is the physical buffer maintained between a potential vehicle-borne or person-borne threat and the protected structure, reducing blast and ballistic impact.
CSP Access Control & Perimeter Security 2
Which type of barrier is most effective at stopping a vehicle traveling at 50 mph from breaching a perimeter?