Certification Guide
CompTIA Security+
by CompTIA · Exam code: SY0-701
CompTIA Security+ is the most widely held cybersecurity certification in the world. It validates baseline security skills and is approved by the US Department of Defense (DoD 8570). It's the entry ticket to most cybersecurity careers.
Cost
$425
Difficulty
Advanced
Prep Time
6-8 weeks
Passing Score
750 / 900
Valid For
3 years (renewable via CE credits)
Salary Impact
+21%
Is it worth it?
Average salary without
$95,000
Average salary with cert
$115,000
Yes, it's the single best cybersecurity entry point. A 21% salary boost ($20K+/year) is excellent, and it's required for DoD jobs. The $425 exam fee is steep for entry-level, but the career unlock is massive — cybersecurity has a 0% unemployment rate.
Study Plan
A week-by-week breakdown to pass on your first attempt.
Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities — malware types, social engineering, application attacks, IoT threats
Architecture and design — zero trust, cloud security, secure network design, embedded systems
Implementation and operations — identity management, cryptography, PKI, incident response, forensics
Governance, risk, compliance, practice exams, performance-based question drills
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Careers this cert unlocks
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it's the single best cybersecurity entry point. A 21% salary boost ($20K+/year) is excellent, and it's required for DoD jobs. The $425 exam fee is steep for entry-level, but the career unlock is massive — cybersecurity has a 0% unemployment rate. Certified professionals earn $115,000 on average compared to $95,000 without the certification — a +21% salary boost.
The CompTIA Security+ exam costs $425. Factor in preparation materials and study time of approximately 6-8 weeks. The certification is valid for 3 years (renewable via CE credits). Given the +21% salary boost, most professionals recover the investment within the first few months.
CompTIA Security+ is rated Advanced difficulty (3/5). The exam format is up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, multiple choice & performance-based with a passing score of 750 / 900. Most candidates need about 6-8 weeks of dedicated study time to pass.
CompTIA recommends 2+ years of IT administration experience with a security focus. CompTIA Network+ is recommended but not required.
CompTIA Security+ is particularly valuable for Cybersecurity Analyst, Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer roles. Anyone entering cybersecurity — IT support techs, junior sysadmins, career changers, and recent graduates. Also required for many US government and military IT positions.
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