Security+ is listed as a requirement or preference on more cybersecurity job postings than any other entry-level cert — including CEH and SSCP. If you're trying to break into security roles or move laterally from sysadmin or network work, the Security+ certification is the most defensible first credential to go after. This guide covers the current exam (SY0-701), realistic salary outcomes, and the prep resources that actually work.
What the CompTIA Security+ Certification Actually Covers
The current exam is SY0-701, released in November 2023. CompTIA retired SY0-601 in July 2024, so if you're starting now, you're studying for 701. The exam has five domains:
- General Security Concepts (12%): Cryptography fundamentals, PKI, authentication protocols, security controls taxonomy
- Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations (22%): Malware types, social engineering, vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence feeds
- Security Architecture (18%): Network segmentation, cloud security models, zero-trust principles, infrastructure hardening
- Security Operations (28%): Incident response, SIEM use, log analysis, identity management, endpoint detection — this is the heaviest domain
- Security Program Management & Oversight (20%): Risk frameworks, compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS), data classification, third-party risk
You get 90 minutes for up to 90 questions. Mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs) — the PBQs drop you into a simulated environment and ask you to configure a firewall rule, analyze a packet capture, or identify a misconfiguration. Passing score is 750 out of 900. Most test-takers who fail do so on the PBQs, not the MCQs.
Security+ Salary and Career Outcomes
The honest answer: Security+ alone won't land you a $110K role. It's a floor credential, not a ceiling one. What it does is get your resume past keyword filters at large employers — federal contractors, healthcare systems, defense integrators, and mid-size MSPs all list it explicitly.
Roles that commonly require or prefer Security+
- SOC Analyst (Tier 1/2): $55K–$85K. Entry point for most people without prior security experience. Security+ is often the hiring bar.
- Systems Administrator (security-focused): $65K–$95K. Adds legitimacy to sysadmin backgrounds pivoting to security.
- IT Security Analyst: $75K–$105K. Typically requires 1–2 years experience plus Security+.
- Federal IT / DoD positions: Security+ satisfies DoD 8570 IAT Level II requirements. This is a hard requirement for thousands of government contractor roles, not a preference.
What Security+ doesn't do
It won't substitute for hands-on experience in an interview. Hiring managers know that passing the exam doesn't mean you can triage an alert or write a detection rule. Pair the cert with a home lab (TryHackMe, HackTheBox, or a local pfSense/Wazuh setup) if you want to actually get hired and not just screened in.
Who Should Get the Security+ Certification
Security+ makes the most sense for three types of people:
- Help desk / IT support workers with 1–2 years of experience who want to move into a security track. CompTIA recommends Network+ first, but it's not required.
- Network administrators and sysadmins who already handle firewall rules and access management in practice but lack a security-specific credential on paper.
- Career changers targeting federal/government IT where the DoD 8570 requirement makes Security+ non-negotiable for contract work.
If you're already working in security with 3+ years of experience, Security+ is probably below your current level. Look at CySA+, CASP+, or the CISSP associate path instead.
Top Courses to Prepare for the Security+ Exam
The course market for Security+ is saturated with low-quality content. These are the options worth your time based on current ratings and actual coverage of SY0-701 domains.
IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts
Google's security fundamentals course on Coursera covers cryptography, network security, and threat modeling at a level that maps directly to Security+ domain 1 and 2 content. Strong foundation before you go deep on exam-specific material. Rated 9.7.
Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs
This Coursera course from Google focuses on the operational side of security work — incident response, SIEM workflows, and escalation procedures. It's the closest pre-built curriculum to what Security+ domain 4 (Security Operations, 28% of the exam) actually tests. Rated 9.7.
Managing Security in Google Cloud
Cloud security architecture is increasingly prominent in SY0-701 compared to earlier versions. This course covers IAM, network controls, and logging in a cloud context, reinforcing the Security Architecture domain content with hands-on labs. Rated 9.7.
A Practical Guide to Cybersecurity Operations Foundations
For people who learn best by doing rather than reading, this Udemy course grounds Security+ concepts in actual SOC workflows. Particularly useful for the performance-based questions on the exam, which simulate real analyst tasks. Rated 9.6.
Security+ vs Other Entry-Level Security Certs
The three certs that come up most often in comparisons:
- Security+ vs CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): CEH is more offensive-focused and significantly more expensive (~$1,200 vs ~$400 for Security+). CEH is worth it if you're targeting penetration testing roles specifically. For general security analyst work, Security+ has broader recognition and better ROI at the entry level.
- Security+ vs SSCP: SSCP (from ISC2) requires one year of experience to certify and covers similar territory. Security+ has no experience requirement, which makes it the better starting point. SSCP is a reasonable next step after Security+ if you want ISC2 credentials on your path toward CISSP.
- Security+ vs Google Cybersecurity Certificate: The Google cert (Coursera) is cheaper and faster but carries less institutional recognition, especially in government and enterprise. Use it as prep, not as a replacement for Security+.
Exam Logistics and Cost
The exam fee is $404 USD (as of 2026). You can take it at a Pearson VUE testing center or via online proctoring. Online proctoring requires a clean test environment — no second monitors, no phone on the desk, working webcam. Test centers are generally less stressful if you've had bad experiences with online proctoring software.
The certification is valid for three years. To renew, you need 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or pass the current version of the exam again. CEUs can come from CompTIA-approved training, other cert exams (CySA+, CASP+), or professional development activities.
CompTIA offers exam vouchers through authorized partners and occasionally through Pearson VUE directly. You can often find 10–15% discounts through CompTIA's CertMaster bundles or through employer education reimbursement programs — it's worth checking your employer's tuition assistance policy before paying out of pocket.
FAQ: CompTIA Security+ Certification
How hard is the Security+ exam?
Pass rates aren't officially published by CompTIA, but industry consensus puts first-attempt pass rates around 70–75%. The performance-based questions are where most people struggle — especially if they've only studied flashcards and practice MCQs. Hands-on labs significantly improve PBQ performance. Budget 60–100 hours of study for someone with basic IT background.
Do I need Network+ before Security+?
CompTIA recommends it but doesn't require it. If you already understand subnetting, routing basics, and common protocols (DNS, DHCP, HTTP/S, SMB), you can go directly to Security+. If terms like VLAN, NAT, and TCP/IP are unclear to you, spend a few weeks on Network+ fundamentals first or your Security+ study will be harder than it needs to be.
How long does it take to prepare for Security+?
With a consistent schedule (1–2 hours per day), most people with some IT background are ready in 6–10 weeks. Without any IT background, 3–4 months is more realistic. Using practice exams is non-negotiable — aim to consistently score above 80% on full-length practice tests before booking.
Is Security+ recognized internationally?
Yes. CompTIA is ISO/ANSI accredited and Security+ is recognized across North America, the UK, Australia, and parts of the EU. Recognition in non-English-speaking markets varies — check specific country requirements for government IT roles if that's your target.
What comes after Security+ in the CompTIA path?
CompTIA's own progression goes Security+ → CySA+ (analyst focus) or PenTest+ (offensive focus) → CASP+ (advanced practitioner). Outside CompTIA, CISSP Associate (for those without the 5-year experience requirement) is a credible next step for people targeting senior security roles or management tracks.
Can Security+ help me get a remote job?
Yes — cybersecurity has a higher proportion of remote roles than most IT disciplines. SOC analyst positions, security engineer roles, and compliance-focused positions frequently allow remote work. Security+ on its own won't guarantee a remote role, but it helps clear the initial screening threshold at employers that have established remote security teams.
Bottom Line
The Security+ certification is the most practical first credential if you're targeting cybersecurity roles in the U.S. — particularly anything touching federal contracting, healthcare IT, or enterprise security teams. It's not a golden ticket, but it's a real filter that gets resumes in front of hiring managers at organizations that take security seriously.
The SY0-701 exam is harder than it looks on paper. The performance-based questions require actual familiarity with security tools and workflows, not just terminology. Use a structured course to build foundational knowledge, then do hands-on practice and full-length mock exams before you book the test. $400 is a meaningful cost — passing on the first attempt is worth the extra preparation time.
If you're coming from a help desk or sysadmin background and want to make the move into security, Security+ is the right call. If you're starting from scratch with no IT experience, spend 3–6 months building foundational knowledge first — the exam will make more sense and you'll retain the material better when you're applying it in a real job context.