CompTIA Security+ Certification: Complete Guide to SY0-701, Cost, Training 

CompTIA Security+ certification is a vendor-neutral cybersecurity credential that validates practical skills in threats, vulnerabilities, security architecture, operations, identity, risk, and governance. The current live exam is SY0-701, with up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions completed in 90 minutes. Candidates need a scaled score of 750 on a 100–900 scale. Security+ is designed for early-career security professionals and IT practitioners moving into cybersecurity, and it is widely used as a baseline certification for security-focused roles across many enterprise environments.

What Is CompTIA Security+ Certification?

CompTIA Security+ is a cybersecurity certification designed to verify that you can understand security risks, select appropriate controls, protect systems and networks, and respond to security incidents.

Unlike certifications tied to one vendor's firewall, cloud platform, or operating system, CompTIA Security+ certification is vendor-neutral. The knowledge can therefore be applied across Windows, Linux, cloud, hybrid infrastructure, enterprise networks, and different security technologies.

The current CompTIA Security+ exam, SY0-701, focuses heavily on practical security decision-making rather than simple terminology. CompTIA's official objectives specifically cover securing hybrid environments, identifying and responding to security events, applying security controls, and working with governance, risk, and compliance concepts.

For candidates asking what is CompTIA Security+, the simplest answer is: it proves you understand the core security knowledge expected from someone working with modern IT infrastructure.

CompTIA Security+ Exam Overview

As of September 2026, SY0-701 remains the live Security+ certification exam. CompTIA is developing the next generation of Security+, but candidates preparing now should follow the currently published SY0-701 objectives until CompTIA formally announces a transition or retirement date.

Exam Detail

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701

Certification

CompTIA Security+

Exam Code

SY0-701

Maximum Questions

90

Exam Duration

90 minutes

Question Types

Multiple-choice and performance-based questions

Passing Score

750 on a 100–900 scale

Recommended Experience

Around 2 years of IT administration with security exposure

Certification Validity

3 years

Current U.S. Retail Voucher Price

Approximately $439 USD

The current U.S. retail Security Plus certification cost increased to about $439 in 2026, although regional pricing, academic discounts, bundles, taxes, and authorized-partner pricing can differ.

Do not calculate 750/900 and assume you simply need 83% correct. The passing score is a scaled score, so there is no reliable public formula showing exactly how many questions you can miss.

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Exam Domains

The official SY0-701 blueprint divides the examination into five domains.

Domain

Exam Weight

General Security Concepts

12%

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations

22%

Security Architecture

18%

Security Operations

28%

Security Program Management and Oversight

20%

1. General Security Concepts — 12%

This section builds the foundation for the rest of the Security Plus course.

Candidates should understand:

• Confidentiality, integrity, and availability
  
  

• Authentication, authorization, and accounting
  
  

• Zero Trust principles
  
  

• Security controls
  
  

• Physical security
  
  

• Change management
  
  

• Cryptography
  
  

• Public key infrastructure
  
  

• Digital signatures and certificates
  
  

Knowing definitions is not enough. You should be able to decide which control fits a specific security scenario.

2. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — 22%

A strong CompTIA Security training program should teach candidates how attacks actually develop.

Topics include:

• Threat actors
  
  

• Social engineering
  
  

• Malware
  
  

• Application vulnerabilities
  
  

• Network attacks
  
  

• Vulnerability identification
  
  

• Attack surfaces
  
  

• Indicators of compromise
  
  

• Security mitigation techniques
  
  

Instead of memorizing dozens of attack names independently, learn the relationship:

Attack technique → vulnerability exploited → evidence generated → appropriate mitigation.

That approach is far more useful for performance-based questions.

3. Security Architecture — 18%

Security architecture covers how organizations design secure systems rather than simply react after an attack.

Expect concepts involving:

• Cloud security
  
  

• Infrastructure design
  
  

• Network segmentation
  
  

• Virtualization
  
  

• High availability
  
  

• Resilience
  
  

• Data protection
  
  

• Disaster recovery
  
  

• Secure enterprise architecture
  
  

Candidates taking a Security Plus online course should get comfortable comparing solutions rather than searching for one universally "correct" technology.

4. Security Operations — 28%

At 28%, Security Operations carries the largest weighting on SY0-701.

It covers practical activities such as:

• Secure system configuration
  
  

• Vulnerability management
  
  

• Security monitoring
  
  

• Identity and access management
  
  

• Endpoint security
  
  

• Firewall and network security
  
  

• Incident response
  
  

• Log analysis
  
  

• Automation and orchestration
  
  

• Digital forensics concepts
  
  

If your CompTIA Security Plus training allocates equal study time to every domain, it may not reflect the actual exam weighting. Security Operations deserves substantial preparation.

5. Security Program Management and Oversight — 20%

This domain connects cybersecurity technology with business risk.

Candidates should understand:

• Governance
  
  

• Policies and standards
  
  

• Risk management
  
  

• Third-party risk
  
  

• Compliance
  
  

• Security audits
  
  

• Assessments
  
  

• Security awareness
  
  

• Privacy considerations
  
  

Security professionals frequently need to explain why a control is required, not merely configure it.

How Much Does CompTIA Security+ Cost?

Candidates searching how much does CompTIA Security cost usually mean the exam voucher price.

The U.S. retail CompTIA Security+ exam cost is approximately $439 USD as of 2026.

Your total preparation budget may include:

• CompTIA Security Plus voucher
  
  

• Security+ training
  
  

• Study guide
  
  

• Practice tests
  
  

• Hands-on labs
  
  

• Retake protection
  
  

• Instructor-led preparation
  
  

A Security Plus voucher is essentially the exam authorization used when scheduling your test. Voucher restrictions can vary by country, expiration date, bundle, and reseller.

Before purchasing a CompTIA Security voucher, verify:

1. The seller is legitimate.
   
   

2. The voucher works in your country.
   
   

3. The expiration date gives you enough preparation time.
   
   

4. It applies to your intended exam version.
   
   

5. You understand the refund and retake conditions.
   
   

Avoid suspiciously cheap voucher listings or unauthorized exam material.

Who Should Take the Security+ Certification?

The Security+ certification works particularly well for people building foundational cybersecurity skills before moving into more specialized security roles.

It can suit:

• IT support professionals
  
  

• Network administrators
  
  

• Systems administrators
  
  

• Junior cybersecurity analysts
  
  

• SOC team members
  
  

• Security administrators
  
  

• Cloud support professionals
  
  

• Students entering cybersecurity
  
  

• IT professionals transitioning into security
  
  

There are no formal prerequisites requiring you to hold CompTIA A+ or Network+ first. However, CompTIA recommends prior networking knowledge and approximately two years of IT administration experience with a security focus.

A beginner can still pursue CompTIA Security+, but someone without networking fundamentals may need additional preparation before attempting the exam.

What Should a CompTIA Security+ Training Course Include?

A useful CompTIA Security+ training course should go beyond videos and definitions.

Look for training that includes:

• Full coverage of current SY0-701 objectives
  
  

• Instructor explanations
  
  

• Scenario-based questions
  
  

• Performance-based question practice
  
  

• Networking and security fundamentals
  
  

• Log interpretation
  
  

• Firewall and access-control scenarios
  
  

• Incident-response exercises
  
  

• Practice examinations
  
  

• Weak-area analysis
  
  

• Structured revision
  
  

A CompTIA Security+ course becomes more effective when candidates repeatedly apply concepts.

For example, instead of memorizing that MFA improves authentication security, you should be able to determine which authentication factor combination is appropriate when presented with multiple options.

That distinction separates exam recognition from operational understanding.

How to Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ Exam

A practical Security Plus training plan can follow six stages:

1. Download the current objectives. Treat the official exam blueprint as your syllabus.
   
   

2. Build networking fundamentals. Review TCP/IP, ports, protocols, DNS, routing, VPNs, firewalls, and segmentation.
   
   

3. Study each Security+ domain. Allocate more time to heavily weighted areas such as Security Operations.
   
   

4. Practise security scenarios. Work with logs, access controls, architecture diagrams, incident response, and mitigation decisions.
   
   

5. Complete timed mock exams. Practise answering questions under the 90-minute limitation.
   
   

6. Review weak objectives before booking. Do not repeatedly study areas you already understand while ignoring weaker domains.
   
   

A good Security Plus certification training strategy should improve decision-making, not simply question memorization.

CompTIA Security+ Training vs Self-Study

Self-study can work well for experienced administrators who already understand networking, operating systems, cloud environments, and common security controls.

Structured Security+ training can be more useful when you:

• Are new to cybersecurity
  
  

• Need a defined study schedule
  
  

• Struggle with networking concepts
  
  

• Want instructor support
  
  

• Need performance-based practice
  
  

• Have limited preparation time
  
  

• Prefer guided exam preparation
  
  

The best Security Plus online course is not necessarily the one with the most hours. It is the one that closes your specific knowledge gaps against the official objectives.

Is CompTIA Security+ Worth It?

Security+ is particularly valuable as a foundation certification. It establishes a broad security baseline before you specialize in penetration testing, incident response, cloud security, governance, security engineering, or architecture.

It also teaches a useful professional habit: looking at a problem from several perspectives simultaneously—technical controls, operational response, business risk, architecture, and governance.

One important update for government-focused candidates is that the old DoD 8570 framework has been replaced by the broader DoD 8140 Cyber Workforce Qualification Program. Current Department of Defense qualification decisions are role- and proficiency-based, so candidates should check the requirements attached to the specific position rather than relying on outdated "8570-approved" certification lists.

How Long Does CompTIA Security+ Certification Last?

After passing the examination, the certification remains valid for three years.

Security+ holders generally need 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during the three-year renewal cycle when renewing through CompTIA's continuing education program. Other approved renewal routes may also be available.

Do not wait until the final weeks of your certification cycle to investigate renewal requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About CompTIA Security+

Is CompTIA Security+ good for beginners?

Yes, particularly for candidates who already understand basic networking and IT systems. Complete beginners may need networking and operating-system fundamentals before beginning serious Security+ training.

What is the current CompTIA Security+ exam?

The current live exam is SY0-701 as of September 2026. Candidates should always verify the active version before purchasing training or an exam voucher.

How many questions are on the Security+ exam?

The examination contains a maximum of 90 questions and includes multiple-choice and performance-based formats.

What score is required to pass Security+?

Candidates need 750 on CompTIA's 100–900 scaled scoring system.

What is the CompTIA Security+ certification cost?

The current U.S. retail CompTIA Security+ certification cost is approximately $439, although pricing can vary by location and purchasing method.

Can I take a CompTIA Security+ course online?

Yes. A CompTIA Security+ course or Security+ certification course can be delivered online through self-paced, instructor-led, or live virtual training.

Do I need Network+ before Security+?

No. Network+ is not a mandatory prerequisite, but networking knowledge significantly improves your ability to understand Security+ architecture, network-security, firewall, protocol, and troubleshooting scenarios.

Build Exam Readiness Around the Objectives

Do not prepare for CompTIA Security+ certification by memorizing hundreds of disconnected facts. Build your study plan around the official SY0-701 objectives, master the heavily weighted domains, practise performance-based scenarios, and use realistic mock exams to identify weaknesses.

When your preparation consistently demonstrates that you can recognize a threat, interpret the environment, choose an appropriate control, and explain why it works, you are developing both the exam skills and practical security judgment that Security+ is designed to validate.