TPS Access Control & Perimeter Security 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A visitor arrives at a secured facility without an appointment. What is the FIRST action a security officer should take?
- Grant temporary access while verifying identity
- Verify the visitor's identity and purpose before allowing entry (Correct answer)
- Contact law enforcement immediately
- Deny entry without further inquiry
Correct answer: Verify the visitor's identity and purpose before allowing entry
Security officers must verify identity and purpose before granting any access to unscheduled visitors.
Question 2: Which type of barrier is considered a 'passive' perimeter security measure?
- Security guard patrol
- Chain-link fence with barbed wire (Correct answer)
- CCTV camera system
- Motion-activated lighting
Correct answer: Chain-link fence with barbed wire
Passive barriers like fences physically prevent or delay unauthorized entry without requiring active human or electronic operation.
Question 3: What does 'tailgating' refer to in access control?
- Monitoring vehicles leaving a facility
- An unauthorized person following an authorized person through a secured door (Correct answer)
- Checking credentials at a rear entrance
- A vehicle inspection procedure
Correct answer: An unauthorized person following an authorized person through a secured door
Tailgating (also called piggybacking) occurs when an unauthorized individual follows closely behind an authorized person to gain entry without credentials.
Question 4: Under Texas Private Security law, who is authorized to carry a firearm on duty?
- Any licensed security officer who requests one
- Only security officers with a valid commissioned security officer license (Correct answer)
- All security officers after 90 days of employment
- Security officers approved by their client facility only
Correct answer: Only security officers with a valid commissioned security officer license
Only commissioned security officers who hold the appropriate license under the Texas Private Security Act may carry firearms on duty.
Question 5: A mantrap (security vestibule) is designed primarily to:
- Provide shelter for guards during bad weather
- Prevent simultaneous passage of multiple individuals through a controlled entrance (Correct answer)
- Store access control equipment
- Serve as a holding area for detained suspects
Correct answer: Prevent simultaneous passage of multiple individuals through a controlled entrance
A mantrap uses two interlocking doors so only one can open at a time, preventing tailgating and controlling the flow of individuals.
Question 6: Which access control principle ensures employees only have access to areas required for their job duties?
- Need-to-know basis
- Least privilege principle (Correct answer)
- Defense in depth
- Zero tolerance policy
Correct answer: Least privilege principle
The least privilege principle restricts access rights to only what is necessary for a person to perform their specific job functions.
Question 7: When a security officer discovers a door that should be locked is found open during a patrol, they should FIRST:
- Leave it open and continue patrol
- Lock it immediately without reporting
- Secure the area, check for unauthorized persons, and report the finding (Correct answer)
- Call local police before taking any action
Correct answer: Secure the area, check for unauthorized persons, and report the finding
An unsecured door is a potential breach; the officer should secure it, check for intruders, and document and report the incident per post orders.
TPS Access Control & Perimeter Security 2
A visitor arrives at a secured facility without an appointment.
What is the FIRST action a security officer should take?