What CompTIA Security+ is
CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral, entry-level cybersecurity certification. It validates the core knowledge and hands-on skills needed to assess the security of a system, monitor and secure environments, identify threats, and respond to incidents — across cloud, mobile, and on-premises settings. The current version is SY0-701. Because it isn't tied to a single product or vendor, employers use it as a broad signal that a candidate understands security fundamentals.
What it's for
Security+ is designed to be the first serious certification for someone entering cybersecurity — or for an IT professional (help desk, sysadmin, network admin) who wants to move into security. It proves you can speak the language of the field and perform baseline security tasks. For many employers and government roles it's a checkbox that gets your résumé past the first filter.
Who needs it
- Aspiring cybersecurity professionals looking for their first security role.
- IT workers moving into security — help-desk technicians, system and network administrators.
- U.S. Department of Defense staff and contractors. Security+ satisfies the DoD 8140 / 8570 IAT Level II baseline, making it effectively mandatory for many defense and government IT jobs.
- Career changers who want a recognized, achievable credential to break into the field.
There are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends about two years of IT experience with a security focus and the CompTIA Network+ certification first, but plenty of people pass with focused study and consistent practice.
What the exam is like
The Security+ exam mixes standard multiple-choice questions with performance-based questions (PBQs) — interactive, scenario-driven tasks that usually appear first and take longer to work through. Managing your time on the PBQs is a big part of passing.
| Exam code | SY0-701 (current version) |
|---|---|
| Questions | Maximum of 90 — multiple-choice and performance-based (PBQs) |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 on a scale of 100–900 (about 83%) |
| Cost | Around $439 USD for a single voucher (2026; confirm current price with CompTIA) |
| Delivery | At a Pearson VUE test center or online with a proctor |
| Validity | 3 years — renewable through continuing education (CE) |
The five domains (SY0-701)
Questions are drawn from five domains in fixed proportions. The weighting tells you exactly where to spend your study time — Security Operations is the largest slice.
Jobs that require or prefer Security+
Security+ is one of the most-requested certifications in entry-level cybersecurity job postings. It's commonly listed for roles such as:
- Security analyst / information security analyst
- SOC (security operations center) analyst
- Security administrator / security specialist
- Systems administrator and network administrator (security-focused)
- Junior penetration tester
- Help-desk or IT support staff moving toward security
- DoD and federal contractor roles requiring an 8140 / 8570 baseline certification
Pay varies widely by role, location, and experience — commonly in the ~$60,000–$100,000+ range for Security+-level positions, with cleared U.S. defense/government roles trending higher. Treat any single figure as a rough guide, not a promise.
How to learn it and prepare
There's no single right path — most people combine a few of these:
- Self-study with a good book or course. CompTIA's official study guide and CertMaster Learn, plus widely used third-party courses, cover every objective.
- Free video training. Popular free course series walk through the entire SY0-701 blueprint objective by objective.
- Instructor-led courses or bootcamps if you prefer structure and a deadline.
- Hands-on practice. Labs and virtual environments turn abstract concepts into skills — especially for the performance-based questions.
- Practice tests. The single highest-leverage study habit: quiz yourself under realistic, timed conditions and review every miss. That's exactly what Kestrel Exams is built for.
A simple plan that works: download the official exam objectives, learn each domain, then spend most of your time on concept guides and timed practice — spacing sessions out and re-testing your weak spots. For the why behind that approach, see our study guide and the science of practice testing.
Practice Security+ free
Exam-weighted SY0-701 questions with instant explanations, timed mock exams, and weak-spot review — offline, no ads, no account.
Open the Security+ appFrequently asked questions
How much does the CompTIA Security+ exam cost?
A single Security+ (SY0-701) exam voucher is about $439 USD as of 2026. CompTIA also sells bundles that add study materials and a retake. Prices change over time, so confirm the current price on CompTIA's website.
How many questions are on the Security+ exam and what's the passing score?
The exam has up to 90 questions — a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions — in 90 minutes. The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100–900 (roughly 83%).
Do I need experience or prerequisites for Security+?
There are no required prerequisites. CompTIA recommends roughly two years of IT experience with a security focus (and CompTIA Network+) but you can pass with focused study and practice even as a career changer.
Is CompTIA Security+ worth it?
For entry-level cybersecurity and many IT roles, yes. It's a widely recognized baseline credential, satisfies the U.S. DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II requirement, and helps qualify candidates for roles like security analyst and SOC analyst.
How long does the Security+ certification last?
Security+ is valid for three years. You can renew it through CompTIA's continuing education (CE) program or by earning a higher-level certification.