AP Cybersecurity Unit 2 Lesson 3 Exercise 1

Unit 2 • 2.3 • Exercise 1

Exercise 1 — Physical Security Assessment

6 questions — Evaluate physical security controls and identify vulnerabilities

Score: 0 / 0 Predict the answer before selecting an option
Client Organization
Pinnacle Wealth Advisors

Pinnacle Wealth Advisors occupies floors 14-16 of a downtown office tower shared with other tenants. The firm stores sensitive client financial data on servers in a dedicated server room on floor 15. A physical security audit has identified six concerns. Evaluate each finding.

Q1 Access Control
Pinnacle’s server room uses a single key lock. Three IT staff members each have a copy. When one IT employee resigned last month, the firm did not change the lock or collect the key. Which vulnerability does this create?
Q2 Tailgating
Pinnacle shares the building lobby with other tenants. The lobby has a security desk but no turnstiles. Visitors sign a paper log and receive a temporary paper badge. An auditor observes that employees frequently hold the elevator door for strangers without verifying their badges. This practice is called:
Q3 Server Room Security
Pinnacle’s server room has no security camera, no visitor log, and no environmental controls (temperature monitoring or fire suppression). A water pipe runs directly above the server rack. Which of the following risk categories is this server room MOST vulnerable to?
Q4 Clean Desk Policy
An auditor walks through Pinnacle’s office after hours and photographs the following on employees’ desks: printed client account statements, Post-it notes with passwords, an unlocked laptop displaying a client portfolio, and a USB drive labeled “Client Tax Returns 2025.” Which physical security policy addresses these findings?
Q5 Visitor Management
A penetration tester wearing a delivery uniform enters Pinnacle’s office by saying “I have a package for IT” at the reception desk. The receptionist directs them to the server room without verifying identity, checking a delivery schedule, or providing an escort. Which countermeasures would have prevented this?

I. Requiring all visitors to present photo ID and sign a visitor log before entry.
II. Requiring escorts for all visitors in restricted areas like the server room.
III. Maintaining a delivery schedule so reception can verify expected deliveries against a list.
Q6 Physical + Cyber Convergence
An attacker gains physical access to Pinnacle’s server room and plugs a small device (a network implant) into an open Ethernet port on the switch. The device establishes a reverse SSH tunnel to the attacker’s server, providing persistent remote access to the internal network. This attack demonstrates:
Questions Correct
Exercise 2 → Course Hub
AP Cybersecurity Unit 2 • 2.3 • Exercise 1 | APCSExamPrep.com | Built by Tanner Crow, AP CS Teacher (11+ years)
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