CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized entry-level cybersecurity certification that validates core security skills, risk management, and threat mitigation. It is one of the most sought-after certifications for IT professionals looking to break into cybersecurity, SOC analysis, or IT security administration.
Security+ is vendor-neutral, covering network security, cryptography, risk management, and incident response. It is also DoD 8570-compliant, making it essential for government and defense roles.
1. Why Get Security+ Certified?
✔ Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certification – Ideal for beginners entering cybersecurity.
✔ Globally Recognized – Approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD 8570.01-M).
✔ Career Growth – Helps land roles like SOC Analyst, IT Security Admin, and Risk Analyst.
✔ Covers Hands-on Security Concepts – Network security, cryptography, threat management.
✔ Higher Salary Potential – Certified professionals earn $80,000+ per year.
✔ Required for Government & Defense Jobs – Meets federal security job requirements.
2. Security+ Exam Overview
| Exam Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Certification Name | CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) |
| Offered By | CompTIA |
| Exam Code | SY0-701 (Latest Version) |
| Exam Format | Multiple Choice & Performance-Based Questions |
| Number of Questions | 90 |
| Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Passing Score | 750/900 |
| Cost | $392 |
| Prerequisites | None (Recommended: Basic IT knowledge or Network+) |
| Validity | 3 Years (Renewable via CEU credits) |
| Retake Policy | After 14 days (Paid Retake) |
✔ Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) test real-world cybersecurity skills.
✔ Multiple-choice questions cover fundamental cybersecurity concepts.
✔ Covers hands-on security, not just theory.
3. CompTIA Security+ vs. Other Cybersecurity Certifications
| Certification | Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Security+ | Entry-Level | IT Admins, Beginners in Cybersecurity |
| CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) | Intermediate | Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing |
| CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) | Advanced | Security Managers, CISOs |
| OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) | Expert | Penetration Testers, Red Team Operators |
| GSEC (GIAC Security Essentials) | Intermediate | Security Analysts, Engineers |
4. Key Topics Covered in Security+ (SY0-701)
The CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam covers six key domains:
1️⃣ Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities (24%)
✔ Types of Cyber Threats – Malware, ransomware, phishing, DoS/DDoS attacks
✔ Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing – OWASP Top 10, CVSS, Nmap, Nessus
✔ Zero-Day Exploits – Real-world attack case studies
✔ Social Engineering Attacks – Phishing, pretexting, baiting, vishing
2️⃣ Architecture and Design (18%)
✔ Zero Trust Security Models – Network segmentation, micro-segmentation
✔ Cloud Security – Public, private, hybrid cloud security risks
✔ Identity & Access Management (IAM) – Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
✔ IoT and Embedded System Security – Smart devices, industrial security
3️⃣ Implementation (24%)
✔ Network Security – Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, SD-WAN security
✔ Cryptography & PKI – AES, RSA, Hashing, Digital Signatures
✔ Authentication & Authorization – LDAP, SAML, OAuth, Kerberos
✔ Endpoint Security – Antivirus, EDR, Application Whitelisting
4️⃣ Operations and Incident Response (16%)
✔ SIEM & Log Analysis – Splunk, ELK Stack, Security Log Monitoring
✔ Incident Handling – MITRE ATT&CK, Cyber Kill Chain, Threat Hunting
✔ Digital Forensics – Chain of custody, forensic tools (FTK, Autopsy)
✔ Threat Intelligence – Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), Threat Feeds
5️⃣ Governance, Risk, and Compliance (18%)
✔ Cybersecurity Frameworks – NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls
✔ Risk Management – Risk Assessments, Threat Modeling, Business Continuity
✔ Legal & Regulatory Compliance – GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS
✔ Security Policies & Best Practices – Acceptable Use Policies (AUP), Data Classification
New in SY0-701: More focus on cloud security, zero trust architecture, and advanced threat detection.
5. Who Should Take Security+?
🔹 IT Professionals transitioning into cybersecurity
🔹 SOC Analysts, IT Security Analysts, Risk Analysts
🔹 Penetration Testers starting their journey
🔹 Government/Defense employees needing DoD 8570 compliance
🔹 IT professionals looking for better job opportunities in cybersecurity
💰 Average Salary:
- Security Analyst: $80,000 – $100,000
- SOC Analyst: $90,000 – $110,000
- Cybersecurity Engineer: $110,000 – $140,000
6. How to Prepare for Security+?
✔ Step 1: Understand the Exam Objectives – Download the CompTIA SY0-701 exam objectives.
✔ Step 2: Study with Books – Use CompTIA Security+ Study Guide (SY0-701) by Darril Gibson.
✔ Step 3: Watch Online Courses – Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Professor Messer’s YouTube tutorials.
✔ Step 4: Take Practice Exams – Use MeasureUp, ExamCompass, or Boson practice tests.
✔ Step 5: Gain Hands-on Experience – Try TryHackMe, HackTheBox, and Security Onion for real-world practice.
✔ Step 6: Use Labs & Virtual Machines – Set up Kali Linux, Metasploit, and SIEM tools for hands-on experience.
7. Security+ Exam Tips & Tricks
Time Management – You have 90 minutes for 90 questions. Don’t spend too much time on one.
Tackle PBQs First – Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) take longer—solve them early.
Eliminate Wrong Answers – Use the process of elimination for tricky questions.
Remember Key Security Concepts – Know encryption algorithms, authentication protocols, and attack types.
Use Flashcards – Memorize security terms and acronyms using Anki or Quizlet.
8. Security+ Career Paths & Job Roles
✔ SOC Analyst (Security Operations Center Analyst)
✔ Cybersecurity Analyst
✔ Penetration Tester (Entry-Level)
✔ Incident Response Analyst
✔ IT Security Administrator
✔ Risk and Compliance Analyst
With Security+, you can move towards advanced certifications like:
🔹 Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – Ethical hacking & penetration testing
🔹 Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) – Security management
🔹 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – Advanced security leadership