Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam

Physical controls play a crucial role in enforcing access control and ensuring that only authorized individuals can access sensitive areas or information. These controls can include barriers such as locked doors, security guards, surveillance cameras, and biometric scanners. Their primary purpose is to prevent unauthorized access to physical locations where data and resources are stored or processed.

By implementing physical controls, organizations create a secure environment that complements other security measures. For instance, even if an information system is well-protected by firewalls, if unauthorized individuals can physically access the hardware, they could compromise the entire system. Therefore, physical controls are essential for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive assets and ensuring that only those who have the proper authorization can access critical facilities.

Other options relate to broader security practices but do not specifically highlight the core function of physical controls. Information security policies provide guidelines but do not enforce access at the physical level. Firewall configurations and data encryption protocols pertain more to electronic security measures rather than physical security, showcasing the necessity for layered security that includes physical protections.