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Sri Lanka Security Guard practice questions

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Question 1Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Under Sri Lankan law, which authority is empowered to issue a licence to a private security agency operating in the country?

  1. The Sri Lanka Police through the relevant licensing authority designated under the Private Security Agencies Act Correct answer.
  2. The Divisional Secretariat of the area where the agency is registered
  3. The Ministry of Defence directly through its procurement branch
  4. The local Municipal Council or Pradeshiya Sabha

Explanation

The Private Security Agencies Act makes provision for the licensing and regulation of private security agencies, and the licensing function is exercised through the designated authority within the police establishment. A guard should know that his agency must hold a valid licence, because working for an unlicensed agency is itself unlawful. Local councils and ministries do not issue this licence.

Question 2Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A person applying to be employed as a security guard in Sri Lanka must ordinarily satisfy which of the following conditions?

  1. Good character and no disqualifying criminal record, together with the prescribed physical fitness Correct answer.
  2. Ownership of a licensed firearm
  3. A minimum educational qualification of a university degree
  4. Membership of a registered trade union

Explanation

Recruitment into private security service requires proof of good character, absence of disqualifying criminal convictions, and fitness for the physical demands of the job. These conditions protect the public because guards are placed in positions of trust and authority. Trade union membership, degrees and firearm ownership are not general preconditions.

Question 3Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A security guard employed at a factory notices that his employer has not provided him with the uniform prescribed by the licensing authority. What is the correct statement of his position?

  1. He may wear any civilian clothing and continue duty because uniform rules apply only to supervisors
  2. He may refuse all duty until a uniform is issued and remain at home without informing anyone
  3. He may borrow a police uniform because it looks similar
  4. He should report the matter to his supervisor and the agency, since wearing the prescribed uniform is part of the regulatory requirements of the service Correct answer.

Explanation

Private security agencies and their personnel are expected to comply with prescribed uniform and identification requirements so the public can distinguish guards from police officers. The proper response to a shortfall is to raise it internally with the supervisor and agency management. Refusing duty without notice or impersonating the police are both unlawful.

Question 4Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which statement best describes the legal status of a private security guard in relation to the Sri Lanka Police?

  1. The guard is a private employee whose powers are limited to those of an ordinary citizen, such as citizen's arrest in limited situations Correct answer.
  2. The guard has the same powers as a police officer while on duty
  3. The guard may conduct criminal investigations independently
  4. The guard is a member of the police reserve by virtue of his employment

Explanation

A private security guard is not a police officer and does not inherit police powers. His authority rests on the same citizen powers available to any person, principally the limited power of arrest in defined circumstances, plus any contractual powers given by the client. He cannot investigate crimes or exercise police powers of search and detention.

Question 5Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard sees a person running from a shop carrying goods while the shopkeeper shouts that the person has just stolen them. Under the citizen's power of arrest, what is the guard's best course of action?

  1. Take the goods and release the person without informing anyone
  2. Shoot at the person's legs to stop the escape
  3. Arrest the person if he has reasonable grounds to believe the offence was committed and hand him over promptly to the nearest police officer Correct answer.
  4. Detain the person for several days until the owner decides whether to complain

Explanation

The citizen's power of arrest allows a private person to apprehend someone reasonably suspected of a cognizable offence and then to hand the suspect over to the police without unnecessary delay. The guard must use no more force than is reasonable and must not punish or detain the suspect himself. Firearms and prolonged private detention are unlawful.

Question 6Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is asked by a supervisor to search a visitor's handbag at the entrance of a private office. On what basis may the guard lawfully conduct this search?

  1. Because the guard suspects every visitor of theft
  2. Because a guard has the same search powers as a police officer
  3. Because all visitors can be searched by force if they object
  4. Because the visitor consents, or because a condition of entry clearly displayed at the premises makes the search a term of entry Correct answer.

Explanation

A private guard has no statutory power of search; a search is lawful only with the person's consent or as a clearly communicated condition of entry that the visitor accepts. If the visitor refuses, the guard may deny entry but must not use force to search. Police-style compulsory search powers are not available to private guards.

Question 7Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which of the following is the primary duty of a security guard posted at the gate of a residential complex?

  1. To repair the complex's electrical systems
  2. To control access, verify identity of visitors and record their entry and exit Correct answer.
  3. To settle disputes between residents and impose fines
  4. To represent residents in legal proceedings

Explanation

The core function of a gate guard is access control: confirming who is entering, recording the movement of visitors and vehicles, and refusing entry to unauthorised persons. This protects residents and creates a reliable record for later reference. Dispute settlement, legal representation and maintenance are outside the role.

Question 8Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard on night duty observes smoke coming from a locked store room. Which action sequence is most consistent with his duties?

  1. Finish his patrol round first and report the smoke at the end of the shift
  2. Raise the alarm, inform the control room and occupants, call the fire service and assist evacuation within his training Correct answer.
  3. Ignore it because firefighting is not a security function
  4. Break into the store room alone to fight the fire without informing anyone

Explanation

Emergency response is part of a guard's duty of care to persons and property. The correct sequence is to raise the alarm, notify the control room and occupants, summon the fire service and help with evacuation, while avoiding unnecessary personal risk. Delaying the report or tackling a fire alone endangers lives.

Question 9Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

During an incident in which a guard uses force to restrain an intruder, which principle governs the lawfulness of that force?

  1. Force is lawful only if the intruder is a foreign national
  2. The force used must be reasonable and proportionate to the threat in the circumstances Correct answer.
  3. Any force is permitted once the person is on private property
  4. Force may be used freely after the intruder has been restrained

Explanation

The law permits only such force as is reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances, judged by the threat faced at the time. Once the intruder is restrained, further force becomes punishment and is unlawful. Nationality and the mere fact of being on private property do not authorise unlimited force.

Question 10Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is instructed by a client's manager to detain an employee in a room until the employee signs a confession about missing stock. What should the guard do?

  1. Detain the employee for a maximum of twelve hours and then release him
  2. Refuse, because detention to obtain a confession is unlawful and the guard has no power to confine a person Correct answer.
  3. Detain the employee but allow family visits
  4. Obey, because the client pays for the service

Explanation

A private guard has no power to detain a person in order to extract a confession; doing so would amount to unlawful confinement and could expose the guard and the client to criminal and civil liability. The guard should refuse and report the instruction to his agency. Obedience to a client does not make an unlawful order lawful.

Question 11Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

What is the correct approach for a guard who is required to record entries in an occurrence book or duty log?

  1. Record entries accurately at the time, in ink, without erasing or altering earlier entries Correct answer.
  2. Leave the log blank and report verbally only
  3. Record only incidents that the client asks about
  4. Record entries at the end of the month from memory

Explanation

The occurrence book is an official record that may later be used in disciplinary or criminal proceedings. Entries should be made contemporaneously, accurately and without obliteration, and corrections should be made transparently. Reconstructing events from memory or omitting incidents destroys the value of the record.

Question 12Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard at a bank observes a customer behaving suspiciously near the cash counter but has no proof of any offence. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Observe discreetly, note the description, alert the bank officer in charge and remain ready to respond Correct answer.
  2. Physically eject the customer immediately
  3. Announce to everyone in the hall that the customer is a suspect
  4. Ignore the customer entirely and continue reading a newspaper

Explanation

Suspicion without evidence calls for observation and reporting, not confrontation. The guard should watch discreetly, note identifying details and inform the officer in charge so the bank can decide on further steps. Publicly accusing a person or ejecting him without cause could lead to defamation or assault claims.

Question 13Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which of the following best describes the guard's duty regarding confidential information learned during duty, such as client passwords or staff schedules?

  1. The guard may sell the information to the highest bidder
  2. The guard may share the information with friends if it is interesting
  3. The guard must keep the information confidential and disclose it only to authorised persons on a need-to-know basis Correct answer.
  4. The guard may publish it on social media after leaving the job

Explanation

Confidentiality is a core obligation of security personnel, and unauthorised disclosure can cause loss to the client and breach of the employment contract. Information should be shared only with authorised persons who need it for their duties. The duty generally survives the end of employment.

Question 14Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard discovers that a fellow guard has been accepting money from a delivery driver to allow goods to leave the premises without checking. What is the guard's proper course?

  1. Say nothing because it is not his shift
  2. Report the matter through the agency's reporting channel or to the supervisor Correct answer.
  3. Confront the driver and assault him
  4. Demand a share of the money before keeping quiet

Explanation

Accepting payment to bypass security checks is bribery and a serious disciplinary and criminal matter. The honest guard must report it through the proper channel so the agency and client can investigate. Demanding a share, taking violent action, or staying silent makes the guard complicit or negligent.

Question 15Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

When a guard is on duty and observes a road accident just outside the premises he is guarding, which response is most appropriate?

  1. Inform the control room, call for ambulance and police assistance, and render first aid within his training while keeping the scene safe Correct answer.
  2. Move injured persons immediately regardless of suspected spinal injury
  3. Continue guarding the gate and take no notice because the accident is outside the boundary
  4. Leave his post unannounced to drive the injured to hospital

Explanation

A guard has a humanitarian and civic duty to summon help and give aid within the limits of his training. He should notify the control room, request ambulance and police assistance, and keep the scene safe while avoiding unnecessary movement of casualties. Abandoning his post silently leaves the premises unprotected.

Question 16Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A visitor refuses to show identification and demands entry to a restricted area of a government office guarded by a private agency. What should the guard do?

  1. Confiscate the visitor's mobile phone as a penalty
  2. Politely refuse entry, explain the access rule and refer the visitor to the officer authorised to grant access Correct answer.
  3. Allow entry because the visitor appears well dressed
  4. Physically drag the visitor out of the building

Explanation

Restricted access rules exist to protect the office and its information, and the guard must apply them consistently regardless of a visitor's appearance. The correct response is a polite refusal, a clear explanation and referral to the authorised officer. Force or confiscation without authority is unlawful.

Question 17Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which statement correctly describes a guard's legal position when making a citizen's arrest of a suspect?

  1. The guard may release the suspect only after receiving payment
  2. The guard must hand the arrested person over to a police officer without unnecessary delay Correct answer.
  3. The guard may keep the suspect in his own custody until the client's manager decides what to do
  4. The guard must obtain the client's written permission before handing the suspect to police

Explanation

The citizen's power of arrest is a power to apprehend and deliver, not to punish or hold indefinitely. The arrested person must be handed over to a police officer without unnecessary delay so that the lawful process can take its course. Private custody arrangements and payment-based release are unlawful.

Question 18Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is posted at an event and sees a group of people pushing towards a barricade in an agitated manner. Which approach best reflects his duties?

  1. Maintain a calm presence, give clear verbal instructions, alert the event control room and keep the barricade line steady Correct answer.
  2. Shout abuse at the crowd to assert authority
  3. Draw a weapon immediately to frighten the crowd
  4. Abandon the barricade and retreat to a safe distance without informing anyone

Explanation

Crowd management by a private guard relies on calm communication, clear instructions and rapid reporting to the event control room. A steady, visible presence at the barricade helps prevent a surge. Escalating with weapons or abuse is likely to provoke the crowd, and silent withdrawal leaves a dangerous gap.

Question 19Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which document is most important for a guard to check before allowing a contractor's vehicle to enter a worksite?

  1. A newspaper cutting about the company
  2. The driver's school report
  3. The driver's personal bank statement
  4. A valid entry permit or work order identifying the vehicle and purpose of entry Correct answer.

Explanation

Access control for vehicles depends on verifying that the vehicle is authorised to enter and that its purpose matches the record. A valid entry permit or work order provides that verification and supports the log entry. Personal financial documents and unrelated papers have no security value.

Question 20Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is accused by a resident of assaulting a delivery worker. What should the guard do first to protect both himself and the integrity of any investigation?

  1. Deny everything and refuse to speak to anyone
  2. Persuade other guards to give false statements in his favour
  3. Destroy the CCTV recording to avoid trouble
  4. Report the allegation to his supervisor immediately and cooperate with the agency's inquiry, providing a truthful account Correct answer.

Explanation

An allegation of assault must be handled transparently, and the guard's first step is to inform his supervisor and cooperate truthfully with the inquiry. Preserving evidence such as CCTV is essential. Destroying evidence or procuring false statements would compound the original allegation with further offences.

Question 21Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which of the following best explains why a private security guard must not wear insignia identical to those of the Sri Lanka Police?

  1. Because the public dislikes uniforms
  2. Because the guard's agency cannot afford the uniform
  3. Because police insignia are expensive to make
  4. Because such resemblance can mislead the public into thinking the guard holds police powers, which is prohibited Correct answer.

Explanation

Distinct uniforms and insignia protect the public by making clear that a guard is a private employee and not a police officer with statutory powers. Wearing police insignia would mislead people and may amount to impersonation. The rule is about legal identity and public trust, not cost.

Question 22Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is asked to sign a statement about an incident he did not witness. What should he do?

  1. Refuse to sign, explain that he did not witness the incident and record only what he personally observed Correct answer.
  2. Sign it and later deny the statement in court
  3. Sign it because his supervisor asked him to
  4. Sign it but add a secret note in the margin

Explanation

A statement should reflect only what the maker personally saw or heard, because it may be relied upon in disciplinary or court proceedings. Signing a false statement is dishonest and could amount to perjury or fabrication of evidence. The guard should decline and record only his own observations.

Question 23Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

What is the primary purpose of a security guard maintaining a visible presence and conducting regular patrols?

  1. To avoid interaction with staff
  2. To impress visitors with marching
  3. To increase the guard's step count
  4. To deter potential offenders and detect hazards or irregularities early Correct answer.

Explanation

Visible patrolling deters people who might otherwise commit theft or damage, and it allows the guard to detect hazards such as fire risks, leaks or broken locks early. The aim is prevention and early detection, not display. Patrols also create checkpoints that can be recorded in the duty log.

Question 24Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is off duty and in civilian clothes when he sees a robbery in progress in a shop. Which statement best reflects his position?

  1. He has no legal ability to act because he is off duty
  2. As an ordinary citizen he may use the citizen's power of arrest if reasonable grounds exist, while prioritising personal safety and calling the police Correct answer.
  3. He must act as if he were a police officer with full powers
  4. He must ignore the robbery because he is not being paid

Explanation

A guard's powers derive from his status as a citizen, so being off duty and out of uniform does not remove the citizen's power of arrest. He may act if reasonable grounds exist, but his first duty is to his own safety and to summoning the police. He does not acquire police powers off duty or on duty.

Question 25Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which of the following is the most appropriate way for a guard to handle a lost child found crying inside a shopping mall?

  1. Take the child to the mall's designated safe point, inform the control room and make an announcement through the authorised channel Correct answer.
  2. Leave the child alone and continue patrol
  3. Hand the child to any stranger who claims to be a relative without verification
  4. Ask the child for money before helping

Explanation

A lost child should be kept safe and reunited through proper channels. The guard should take the child to the designated safe point, inform the control room and use the authorised public announcement system. Handing a child to an unverified person or ignoring the child endangers the child's safety.

Question 26Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Under Sri Lankan law, which statute is the principal source of the criminal offences a private security guard must know in order to recognise when an offence has been committed on the premises?

  1. The Companies Act
  2. The Inland Revenue Act
  3. The Penal Code Correct answer.
  4. The Shop and Office Employees Act

Explanation

The Penal Code sets out the general criminal offences such as theft, hurt, trespass and criminal intimidation that a guard must recognise when deciding whether to call police or intervene. Employment, tax and company statutes regulate other matters and do not define these offences.

Question 27Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is employed by a private security firm and posted at a government office under contract. Which statement best describes his legal authority to arrest a person?

  1. He has the same arrest powers as a police officer while on duty
  2. He may arrest only when the person is carrying a weapon
  3. He may arrest anyone the office manager identifies as suspicious
  4. He may only arrest a person in accordance with the arrest powers available to any private citizen Correct answer.

Explanation

A private security guard is a private citizen and does not hold the statutory arrest powers conferred on police officers. He may arrest only within the limited citizen's arrest powers the law allows, such as a person found committing a cognizable offence, and must promptly hand the person to police.

Question 28Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which of the following is the correct legal position regarding a guard carrying a firearm on duty in Sri Lanka?

  1. A guard may carry a firearm only if he holds a valid licence or permit issued under the law and is authorised by his employer Correct answer.
  2. A guard may carry a firearm when he is guarding cash or valuables
  3. Any guard may carry a firearm if the client requests it in writing
  4. A guard may carry a firearm freely once he has completed basic training

Explanation

Possession and carriage of firearms are controlled, and a guard must hold the required licence or permit and be authorised by his employer for that specific duty. A client's written request alone does not create legal authority. Training or the nature of the assignment does not remove the licensing requirement.

Question 29Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is on duty at a factory gate when police officers arrive and ask him to point out a particular worker. How should the guard respond?

  1. He should first obtain written permission from the worker before answering
  2. He should demand that the police produce a court order before he speaks
  3. He should cooperate with the police, identify the worker if he knows him, and record the request in his log Correct answer.
  4. He should refuse to assist because the matter is a police matter

Explanation

Guards are expected to cooperate with police carrying out lawful duties and may give factual assistance such as identifying a person on the premises. The request and the guard's action should be recorded in the occurrence book for accountability. Refusal, conditions or demands for court orders are not appropriate where the police are acting lawfully.

Question 30Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard notices that a fellow guard has left the main gate unattended for long periods to sell goods to passers-by. What is the most appropriate first step?

  1. Report the matter through the proper supervisory channel so the duty is corrected Correct answer.
  2. Report it to the client's staff directly to embarrass the colleague
  3. Confront the fellow guard publicly at the gate
  4. Ignore it because each guard is responsible only for himself

Explanation

Discipline and duty performance should be corrected through the chain of command so that the post is covered and the matter is documented. Public confrontation or bypassing supervisors creates disorder and does not restore the security of the gate.

Question 31Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard detains a suspected thief in a room and the suspect asks to leave. What is the guard's legal obligation at that point?

  1. He may question the suspect for as long as needed to obtain a confession
  2. He may hold the suspect indefinitely until the client decides what to do
  3. He may release the suspect only after the suspect pays for the goods
  4. He must hand the suspect over to the police without unnecessary delay Correct answer.

Explanation

A citizen's arrest is only a temporary measure, and the person must be handed over to the police without unnecessary delay. A guard has no power to hold a person indefinitely, extract payment or conduct interrogation.

Question 32Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard at a hotel is offered a cash gift by a guest who wants to be allowed to bring unauthorised persons into a private function. What is the correct response?

  1. Accept the gift and allow entry because the guest is a paying customer
  2. Ask the guest to pay the money to the hotel instead
  3. Accept the gift but allow only one extra person
  4. Refuse the gift and the request, and report the attempted inducement to the supervisor Correct answer.

Explanation

Accepting a benefit to breach access rules is a form of corruption and a breach of the guard's duty to the employer. The correct response is to refuse, follow the access rules and report the attempted inducement so it is documented.

Question 33Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which statement best describes a guard's duty regarding keys to restricted areas of the premises?

  1. Keys should be signed out and returned under a controlled register Correct answer.
  2. Keys should be kept at the gate so anyone on duty can use them
  3. Keys may be lent to any staff member who asks politely
  4. Keys may be copied by the guard for his own convenience

Explanation

Key control is part of the guard's duty to protect the premises, and keys to restricted areas must be issued and returned under a signed register. Lending, leaving accessible or copying keys defeats access control and creates liability for the guard.

Question 34Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard sees a stranger climbing the perimeter wall of the premises at night. Which action best reflects the lawful exercise of his duties?

  1. Shoot at the intruder to prevent entry
  2. Chase the intruder alone into the dark without informing anyone
  3. Wait until the intruder enters a building before acting
  4. Shout a clear warning, alert the control room or police, and observe from a safe distance Correct answer.

Explanation

The guard should give a warning, raise the alarm and observe while police or backup respond, using force only if strictly necessary and proportionate. Firing at a person or pursuing alone into darkness creates serious risk and may be unlawful.

Question 35Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is asked by an employer to sign a blank occurrence book page so entries can be added later. What should the guard do?

  1. Sign it but note the date in the margin
  2. Refuse to sign and record only actual events with times and signatures Correct answer.
  3. Ask a colleague to sign it instead
  4. Sign it because the employer is his principal

Explanation

The occurrence book is an official record, and signing blank pages allows false entries to be created that could expose the guard to liability. Entries must be made contemporaneously, accurately and signed by the person who made them.

Question 36Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard at a Ports Authority terminal is told by a lorry driver that the cargo manifest is missing. Which document should the guard insist on before allowing the vehicle into the restricted yard?

  1. A letter from the driver's family
  2. A valid gate pass or entry authorisation issued by the terminal authority Correct answer.
  3. The vehicle's service history
  4. The driver's personal bank statement

Explanation

Entry to a restricted terminal area requires an authorised gate pass or entry document issued by the responsible authority, which the guard checks against the vehicle and driver. Personal or unrelated documents do not establish authorisation to enter.

Question 37Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which of the following best explains the legal significance of the guard's uniform and identification badge?

  1. It identifies the holder as an authorised security operative and supports accountability Correct answer.
  2. It exempts the guard from traffic laws while on duty
  3. It authorises the guard to enter any private premises
  4. It allows the guard to exercise police powers of search

Explanation

A uniform and badge identify the guard as an authorised security operative of a particular firm and make him accountable for his conduct. They do not confer police powers, exemptions from law or rights of entry.

Question 38Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard is told by a supervisor to use a metal detector to search every female visitor at a shopping mall entrance. What is the proper approach?

  1. Conduct the search in a private area with a female staff member present where possible and with the visitor's consent Correct answer.
  2. Search visitors openly at the entrance to save time
  3. Search only visitors who appear poor
  4. Refuse all searches of female visitors

Explanation

Screening should respect dignity and privacy, and physical or intrusive searches should be conducted discreetly, preferably by a person of the same sex, with the visitor's cooperation. Searching openly, refusing by gender or selecting by appearance are all improper.

Question 39Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

A guard witnesses a collision between two vehicles inside the car park he is guarding. What is the most appropriate action consistent with his duties?

  1. Move the vehicles immediately without recording anything
  2. Secure the scene, note details of the vehicles and drivers, and inform police and the supervisor Correct answer.
  3. Leave the scene so that the parties can settle privately
  4. Decide who was at fault and demand payment from the driver

Explanation

The guard's role is to secure the scene, record factual details and notify police and his supervisor, not to determine fault or settle the matter. Leaving or moving vehicles without any record destroys evidence and obstructs the proper process.

Question 40Legal Framework and Duties of a Security Guard

Which statement correctly describes a guard's obligation when he is summoned to give evidence in court about an incident he recorded in the occurrence book?

  1. He may alter his record to match what the accused says
  2. He may refuse because he is a private employee
  3. He must attend and give truthful evidence based on what he personally observed and recorded Correct answer.
  4. He may send a colleague to speak on his behalf

Explanation

A guard who has recorded an incident may be summoned as a witness and must attend and testify truthfully to what he personally saw and recorded. Substituting another person or altering records to suit a party would be a serious offence.

Question 41Physical Security and Access Control

At a factory gate, a guard must verify every visitor before allowing entry. Which action best describes proper visitor verification at the gate?

  1. Allowing entry if the visitor wears a company uniform
  2. Relying on the visitor's verbal assurance that they are expected
  3. Letting the visitor sign the register after entering the site
  4. Checking the visitor's identity document against the stated purpose and issuing a visitor pass Correct answer.

Explanation

Visitor verification requires confirming identity with a valid document, checking that the visit matches a stated purpose or host approval, and recording the entry with a pass. This creates an accountable record and prevents unauthorised persons from entering. Verbal assurance or uniforms alone are not reliable identity evidence.

Question 42Physical Security and Access Control

A security guard is posted at the main entrance of a bank. What is the primary purpose of access control at this entrance?

  1. To provide directions to customers looking for other branches
  2. To improve the appearance of the bank lobby for customers
  3. To record staff attendance for payroll purposes
  4. To ensure only authorised persons and items enter the protected area Correct answer.

Explanation

Access control exists to ensure that only persons, vehicles and items with proper authorisation enter a protected area. Appearance, directions and attendance are incidental and do not justify the control measures. The guard's core duty is to deny entry to those without authority.

Question 43Physical Security and Access Control

During a patrol, a guard finds a door marked as a fire exit propped open with a brick. What is the correct immediate action?

  1. Remove the obstruction, close the door and report the finding Correct answer.
  2. Note it in the logbook at the end of the shift only
  3. Leave it open because the weather is hot and staff need ventilation
  4. Ask a nearby employee to keep watch on the door

Explanation

A propped fire exit compromises both fire safety and site security, so the guard should immediately remove the obstruction, secure the door and report the breach. Delaying action leaves the site vulnerable. A guard should not rely on others to watch an unsecured opening.

Question 44Physical Security and Access Control

Which document is normally used to record the movement of keys in and out of a security control room?

  1. Visitor pass
  2. Fire log
  3. Key register Correct answer.
  4. Incident report

Explanation

A key register records which key was issued, to whom, at what time and when it was returned. This provides accountability and supports investigation if a key goes missing. Incident reports, fire logs and visitor passes serve different purposes.

Question 45Physical Security and Access Control

A guard notices a person trying to enter through a staff-only side door without a pass. What should the guard do first?

  1. Politely stop the person and ask for identification and purpose Correct answer.
  2. Ignore the person if they appear to be staff
  3. Open the door and escort the person inside
  4. Physically restrain the person immediately

Explanation

The first step is a calm challenge to establish identity and purpose, which resolves most situations without escalation. Physical restraint is only justified when there is an immediate threat and should follow site procedure. Ignoring or assisting an unverified person defeats access control.

Question 46Physical Security and Access Control

What does the term 'need-to-know' mean in a physical security setting?

  1. Information is shared only with persons who require it to perform their duties Correct answer.
  2. Security information is shared with all visitors at reception
  3. Only managers may ever know any security information
  4. Every employee may access all security information on request

Explanation

Need-to-know limits access to information to those who require it for their role, reducing the risk of leakage. It is not a blanket ban nor an open policy. The principle applies to guard rosters, patrol routes and access codes.

Question 47Physical Security and Access Control

A visitor arrives at a site and refuses to produce any identity document. What is the appropriate guard response?

  1. Deny entry and politely explain the identification requirement Correct answer.
  2. Allow entry because the visitor seems friendly
  3. Allow entry if the visitor signs the register
  4. Send the visitor to a staff member without informing anyone

Explanation

Without verified identity, the guard cannot confirm who the person is or whether they are authorised, so entry must be denied politely. Friendliness and a signature are not substitutes for identification. The guard should explain the policy and offer a lawful alternative such as contacting the host.

Question 48Physical Security and Access Control

Which of the following is a physical access control measure rather than an administrative one?

  1. A turnstile that admits one person per valid card swipe Correct answer.
  2. A training session on security awareness
  3. A disciplinary procedure for policy breaches
  4. A written policy on password complexity

Explanation

Physical access control measures are tangible barriers or devices that regulate movement, such as turnstiles, locks and gates. Password policy, training and discipline are administrative controls. The distinction matters when assessing layered security.

Question 49Physical Security and Access Control

A guard is asked by a contractor to open a restricted electrical room so the contractor can 'check something'. The contractor has no work permit. What should the guard do?

  1. Open the room and stay outside while the contractor works
  2. Refuse entry and ask the contractor to obtain a valid work permit from the authorised officer Correct answer.
  3. Open the room because the contractor is known to staff
  4. Give the contractor the key and ask them to return it later

Explanation

Restricted areas require documented authorisation such as a work permit before access is granted. Being known to staff does not replace formal authorisation. The guard must refuse and direct the contractor to the correct approval process.

Question 50Physical Security and Access Control

Why should a guard vary the timing and route of patrols around a warehouse perimeter?

  1. To cover more ground in less time than a fixed route
  2. To reduce the number of patrols needed each shift
  3. To prevent intruders from predicting guard movements and timing their entry Correct answer.
  4. To satisfy a requirement that guards walk at different speeds

Explanation

Predictable patrols allow intruders to observe patterns and choose gaps in coverage. Varying timing and routes makes observation and planning harder. The aim is deterrence and detection, not simply covering distance or reducing patrols.