Which Type of Penetration Test Involves Using an Access Badge?
During a penetration test, a vendor attempts to enter an unauthorized area using an access badge. Which of the following types of tests does this represent?
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
The exam expects you to classify pen tests by technique and scope; the trap is choosing offensive based on the word 'attempts' instead of recognizing the physical security context.
For the CompTIA SY0-701 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish penetration test categories. The community agrees that using an access badge to enter an unauthorized area is a physical penetration test.
Choosing 'Offensive' is the most common mistake because the vendor is actively attempting an unauthorized action, but the test is specifically targeting physical security controls—not just software or network exploitation.
Community Discussion (4 comments)
Comments & Corrections
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
The scenario explicitly involves a vendor using an access badge to enter an unauthorized area, which tests physical security controls. Physical penetration testing evaluates locks, badges, tailgating, and facility access procedures. The term 'physical' directly maps to the action described, and the community comment [1] confirms this alignment with the definition of a physical penetration test.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A defensive test focuses on an organization's ability to detect and respond to attacks, not the attacker's method. A passive test involves no active exploitation or attempts to bypass controls. An offensive test simulates attacks on systems, networks, or applications—typically digital, not physical. While the vendor is 'attempting' an action, that does not make the test offensive by default; physical security testing remains a distinct category.
Community Comment Notes
Comment [1] points out that the scenario specifically tests the ability to physically enter a secure area, aligning perfectly with physical penetration testing. Comment [2] simplistically states 'using an access badge is a Physical,' reinforcing the direct association between the badge and physical access controls. Other comments simply vote for D without additional detail, but the consensus is unanimous.
Official Reference
Exam Strategy
Look for keywords that indicate the type of control being tested: badge, door, lock, or physical area point to a physical test. Memorize the four pen test categories—offensive, defensive, passive, and physical—and map each scenario to the target of the test, not just the action taken.
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