The U.S. Department of Defense mandates Security+ for civilians and contractors handling information systems at certain privilege levels — it's written into DoD Directive 8140. That one policy made Security+ the most widely held entry-level cybersecurity certification on the market, with CompTIA reporting over 700,000 certifications issued. A scan of USAJobs or LinkedIn for "cybersecurity analyst" confirms it: Security+ appears in job requirements the way a driver's license appears on car rental forms.
If you're researching the security plus cert, this guide covers the current exam (SY0-701), how the CE (Continuing Education) variant works, what study approach actually prepares you, and an honest read on whether the cost and time are worth it for your situation.
What the Security+ Cert Actually Tests
The current Security+ exam, SY0-701, launched in November 2023 and replaced SY0-601. The update shifted emphasis toward cloud security, AI/ML-based threats, and zero trust architecture — reflecting where enterprise security teams are actually spending budget and headcount.
The five domains and their exam weight:
- General Security Concepts (12%) — cryptography fundamentals, authentication protocols, PKI, security control categories
- Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%) — malware types, social engineering, vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence feeds
- Security Architecture (18%) — network segmentation, cloud security models, zero trust, on-premises vs. hybrid infrastructure design
- Security Operations (28%) — incident response, log analysis, endpoint protection, identity and access management
- Security Program Management and Oversight (20%) — governance frameworks, risk management, compliance (HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS), data privacy
The exam allows up to 90 questions over 90 minutes. The passing score is 750 on a 100–900 scale. Roughly 10–15% of questions are performance-based (PBQs) — drag-and-drop or simulated environments where you configure a firewall rule, analyze a network diagram, or identify a malware behavior from log output. These appear early in the exam and cannot be skipped. Many candidates burn 20+ minutes on the first few PBQs and then rush the multiple-choice section.
Exam cost is $392 through Pearson VUE. CompTIA Academic pricing and vouchers from authorized training providers can bring this to $250–$300. The exam is available at testing centers and via online proctoring.
Security+ CE vs. Standard: What's Actually Different
When you pass the Security+ exam, your certification is valid for three years. After that, you renew either by retaking the current exam version or by maintaining the credential through the Continuing Education program — that's where the "CE" designation comes from.
CE requirements over the three-year cycle:
- Earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Pay a $50 annual CE subscription fee to CompTIA
CEUs can come from completing higher-level certifications (CySA+, CASP+, and CISSP all contribute substantial CEUs), attending security conferences, completing approved online courses, publishing technical content, or participating in vendor training programs. For a working security professional, accumulating 50 CEUs in three years is straightforward — a single vendor certification course typically earns 15–20.
From a hiring standpoint, Security+ CE and standard Security+ are identical. DoD 8140 recognizes both. Job postings simply list "CompTIA Security+" without specifying CE or non-CE. The CE label primarily signals active maintenance rather than an expired-and-renewed credential.
Who Actually Needs This Cert
The security plus cert makes clear sense in three scenarios:
- Federal jobs or DoD contracting. DoD Directive 8140 requires Security+ (or equivalent) for specific IAT and IAM roles. If you're applying to federal IT positions or contracting work on defense programs, Security+ is frequently non-negotiable.
- Breaking into cybersecurity from general IT. For sysadmins, network technicians, or help desk professionals moving toward security roles, Security+ provides a recognized signal of baseline competency — even without dedicated security job experience.
- Employer reimbursement situations. Many enterprises cover Security+ exam costs because it satisfies compliance training requirements. If your employer is paying, the ROI calculation is simple.
The cert is less useful if you already hold CISSP, CySA+, or relevant vendor credentials (AWS Security Specialty, Microsoft SC-200). Senior hiring managers in the private sector treat Security+ as a floor, not a signal of depth. For mid-to-senior roles, hands-on project experience and higher-level certifications carry more weight.
For complete beginners with no IT background, Security+ is probably the wrong starting point. CompTIA's own recommended path puts A+ and Network+ first, and SY0-701 assumes you can read network diagrams, understand TCP/IP fundamentals, and recognize common protocols. Starting with Security+ from zero means learning twice the material without any frame of reference.
Top Courses for the Security+ Cert
These are selected based on alignment with SY0-701 exam domains and hands-on depth. Ratings reflect verified learner reviews.
IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts
Developed by Google for Coursera, this course covers cryptography, AAA frameworks, network security, and defense infrastructure — mapping directly to Security+ domains 1, 3, and 4. It's a strong conceptual foundation before moving to exam-specific practice material.
A Practical Guide to Cybersecurity Operations Foundations
Focused on operational tasks — log analysis, SIEM fundamentals, incident triage — which aligns with Security Operations, the largest exam domain at 28%. Best paired with a domain-specific study guide since it doesn't follow CompTIA's exact objectives.
Building and Configuring Your Cybersecurity Attack Lab
Walks through setting up a local lab environment to practice the concepts that PBQ questions test: network scanning, firewall configuration, and basic vulnerability identification. The performance-based questions on the exam reward hands-on repetition over passive reading.
Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs
The capstone course in Google's Cybersecurity Certificate series, this one focuses on job readiness — incident response documentation, communicating security findings to stakeholders, and resume positioning. Useful if you're prepping for interviews alongside the certification.
CompTIA SecAI+ Fundamentals: AI Cybersecurity Basics
The SY0-701 update added AI and machine learning threats to the exam objectives. This course covers AI-driven attacks, automated threat detection, and prompt injection — newer material that candidates using SY0-601 study guides frequently miss.
Study Strategy: What Actually Moves the Needle
Most candidates studying for the security plus cert underestimate two things: total study time and the difficulty of PBQ questions under time pressure.
Realistic time estimates. CompTIA recommends candidates have 2+ years of IT security experience. For people coming from general IT: 60–100 hours over 6–8 weeks is realistic. For career changers without an IT background: 120–150 hours over 3–4 months. The material isn't conceptually difficult, but the breadth is wide — five domains covering everything from PKI certificate chains to GDPR breach notification requirements.
PBQ preparation is the gap most people have. Performance-based questions are a common failure point for candidates who study exclusively from text-based materials. Before your exam date, you need actual hands-on practice: lab environments, simulation tools, or the attack lab course listed above. If you've never configured a VLAN or run a port scan, those simulations will feel disorienting under a 90-minute clock.
Practice exam thresholds. The passing score is 750/900. CompTIA writes situational questions — "A security analyst notices traffic to an unusual external port... which of the following is the MOST likely cause?" — that require pattern recognition, not just memorization. Target 85%+ on full practice exams consistently before booking the real test. Jason Dion's practice exam sets and the CompTIA CertMaster Practice tool both reflect the SY0-701 question style accurately.
Retake policy. No waiting period for the first retake after a failure. A second failure triggers a mandatory 14-day wait. Exam vouchers are non-refundable, so the first attempt should be treated seriously — another $392 if you need an unvouchered retake.
Security+ Cert FAQ
How hard is the Security+ cert compared to other entry-level certs?
Harder than CompTIA A+ or Network+, significantly easier than CySA+, OSCP, or CISSP. The challenge is breadth rather than depth — the exam covers a wide range of topics at a conceptual level, and the situational question format catches candidates who memorized definitions without understanding how to apply them. Most people with a genuine IT background and focused study pass on the first attempt.
Is the Security+ cert worth it without work experience?
Partially. The cert can get your resume past automated filters and demonstrate baseline knowledge to recruiters. Without any IT or security experience, it won't place you directly into mid-level security roles — you'd typically start at help desk or junior IT admin regardless. Use it as a signal while building hands-on experience in parallel, not as a standalone career pivot tool.
How long does it take to prepare for the Security+ exam?
With existing IT experience: 40–60 hours over 6–8 weeks. Without an IT background: 100–150 hours over 3–4 months, studying part-time. Condensed options exist for people with strong technical foundations who want to prepare intensively in 2–3 weeks, but most people benefit from spacing out the review to retain breadth.
What's the difference between SY0-601 and SY0-701?
SY0-701 consolidated six domains into five, added heavier coverage of cloud security architectures, AI/ML threats, and zero trust, and increased the weight on Security Operations. Most SY0-601 study materials are still conceptually valid, but you'll have gaps on newer topics. Use SY0-701-specific practice exams to identify those gaps before scheduling your test.
Does Security+ CE satisfy DoD 8140 requirements the same as standard Security+?
Yes. DoD 8140 recognizes CompTIA Security+ regardless of whether it's maintained via CE or renewed by retaking the exam. What matters is that the certification is current and not expired. The CE designation simply indicates the holder is maintaining the credential through the CE program rather than periodically retesting.
What jobs list the Security+ cert as a requirement?
Common roles: SOC Analyst (Tier 1), Information Security Analyst, Systems Administrator in security-focused environments, IT Auditor, and nearly all federal/DoD IT positions subject to Directive 8140. MSSPs frequently require it for entry-level SOC work. In the private sector outside of government contracting, it's often listed as "preferred" rather than required, particularly at larger organizations with their own internal training tracks.
Bottom Line
The security plus cert is the right credential in specific situations: federal and DoD-adjacent positions, entry-level security roles at employers that use it as a hiring filter, and any scenario where your employer covers the cost. Its value is rooted in being a widely understood baseline — hiring managers know what it signals, and it clears compliance checkboxes that many positions require by policy.
It is not a substitute for technical depth. Candidates who pass Security+ without hands-on lab work can answer exam questions but often struggle with real operational tasks. The cert delivers the most value when paired with actual practice: home lab setup, working through practical security courses, and building documented experience alongside the credential.
Before registering: pull up 10–15 job postings for roles you're actively targeting and check whether Security+ appears in the requirements. If it does consistently, pursue it. If you're already holding CySA+, CISSP, or strong project work in security, the time is better spent elsewhere. For SY0-701 preparation, build conceptual foundation first, then shift entirely to practice exams and PBQ simulations in the final two to three weeks before your test date.