112-51 · Question #43
Jacob, a network defender in an organization, was instructed to improve the physical security measures to prevent unauthorized intrusion attempts. In this process, Jacob implemented certain physical…
The correct answer is D. Deterrent controls. Deterrent controls are a type of physical security controls that use warning messages and signs to notify legal consequences and discourage hackers from making intrusion attempts. Deterrent controls aim to reduce the likelihood of an attack by creating a perception of risk or…
Question
Jacob, a network defender in an organization, was instructed to improve the physical security measures to prevent unauthorized intrusion attempts. In this process, Jacob implemented certain physical security controls by using warning messages and signs that notify legal consequences to discourage hackers from making intrusion attempts. Which of the following type of physical security controls has Jacob implemented in the above scenario?
Options
- ARecovery controls
- BDetective control
- CPreventive controls
- DDeterrent controls
How the community answered
(48 responses)- A2% (1)
- B4% (2)
- C2% (1)
- D92% (44)
Explanation
Deterrent controls are a type of physical security controls that use warning messages and signs to notify legal consequences and discourage hackers from making intrusion attempts. Deterrent controls aim to reduce the likelihood of an attack by creating a perception of risk or fear in the potential attackers. Deterrent controls can include fences, locks, alarms, cameras, guards, or security policies.
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Zinedine B.Jun 14, 2026D is your answer. Warning signs and legal-consequence notices do not stop an attacker physically, they do not detect an intrusion in progress, and they do not help you recover after one. What they do is discourage the attempt before it starts by raising the perceived cost of getting caught, and that is the definition of a deterrent control. Think of it this way: a fence is preventive because it physically blocks entry, a camera is detective because it records what happened, but a sign that says "trespassers will be prosecuted" is purely psychological pressure designed to make the attacker reconsider, which puts it squarely in the deterrent category. On the 112-51 exam, any time you see warning messages, legal notices, or signage aimed at discouraging behavior before it occurs, map it to deterrent controls every time.
Ingrid P.Jun 15, 2026Good breakdown, and worth adding to your deck: pair this with "preventive vs. deterrent" as a minimal pair card, because the exam loves to blur the two by phrasing banner notice questions in terms of "stops unauthorized access," which tempts you toward preventive.
Ingrid P.Jun 10, 2026I almost marked C because warning signs feel like they are stopping something before it happens, but preventive controls physically block or restrict access while deterrent controls work through psychology and the threat of consequences. The moment I remembered that distinction, D locked in.
Orla P.May 26, 2026Signs that stop behavior before it happens are preventive, going with C.
Zinedine B.May 29, 2026Good instinct on the timing, Orla, but a sign only discourages the behavior, it does not technically block it, which makes it a deterrent control, not a preventive one. D is correct because deterrents influence intent while preventive controls enforce a stop, like a locked door or an access control list.