CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral, entry-to-intermediate security certification covering threats, security architecture, operations and governance. It is a common first security credential and is widely used to meet job and government contract requirements. SY0-701 is the current exam, and the new SY0-801 launches around November 17, 2026; SY0-701 stays available in English until June 11, 2027.
Who it is for
- IT administrators and help desk staff moving into security roles
- Junior security analysts and SOC staff who want a recognised baseline credential
- People applying for jobs or contracts that list Security+ as a requirement
- Students and career changers with some networking or systems background
The exam at a glance
| SY0-701 | SY0-801 | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | CompTIA Security+ V7 (current; launched November 7, 2023; English retires June 11, 2027, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai retire August 13, 2027) | CompTIA Security+ V8 (launches on or around November 17, 2026; estimated retirement three years after launch) |
| Questions | Maximum of 90 | Maximum of 90 |
| Time | 90 min | 90 min |
| Format | Multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Offered in English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai. | Multiple-choice and performance-based questions. |
| Passing | 750 on a scale of 100-900. | 750 on a scale of 100-900. |
| Price | US$439 per exam voucher (CompTIA list price after the mid-2026 increase; regional pricing varies). Not shown on CompTIA's certification pages, see unverified. | US$439 per exam voucher (CompTIA list price after the mid-2026 increase; regional pricing varies). Not shown on CompTIA's certification pages, see unverified. |
| Prerequisites | None required. CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years of experience in a security or systems administrator job role. | None required. CompTIA recommends the experience of a security administrator with two years of hands-on experience. |
| Validity | Valid for three years. Renew through the CompTIA Continuing Education program: earn 50 CEUs in the three-year cycle and pay the CE fee (US$150 for the three-year period), or renew by passing the latest exam version, earning a qualifying higher-level certification, or completing CertMaster CE. A 30-day grace period after expiry allows fees and CEUs to be submitted but not earned. | Valid for three years. Renew through the CompTIA Continuing Education program: earn 50 CEUs in the three-year cycle and pay the CE fee (US$150 for the three-year period), or renew by passing the latest exam version, earning a qualifying higher-level certification, or completing CertMaster CE. A 30-day grace period after expiry allows fees and CEUs to be submitted but not earned. |
Checked against the official CompTIA pages on 2026-11-06: www.comptia.org, www.comptia.org, www.comptia.org, www.comptia.org, www.comptia.org, www.comptia.org. Exam details change; confirm on the issuer's site before you book. Some details could only be confirmed from secondary sources and are marked for re-checking.
Exam domains
SY0-701
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| General security concepts | 12% |
| Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations | 22% |
| Security architecture | 18% |
| Security operations | 28% |
| Security program management and oversight | 20% |
SY0-801
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| General Security Concepts | 16% |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks | 24% |
| Security Architecture | 19% |
| Security Operations | 27% |
| Security Program Management and Oversight | 14% |
How to prepare
- Decide between SY0-701 and SY0-801 based on when you will test, and download that version's official exam objectives
- Map your current knowledge against every objective and mark the gaps
- Build a small home lab to practise tasks such as firewall rules, log review and account hardening, since performance-based questions are hands-on
- Study the largest domains first (Security operations and Threats carry the most weight)
- Take timed practice sets of up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and review every wrong answer against the objectives
- Schedule the exam once you score consistently well, and buy the voucher only from CompTIA or a listed partner
FAQ
How hard is Security+?
It is an entry-to-intermediate exam. People with a year or two of IT experience usually find the concepts manageable; the performance-based questions and the time limit are what most candidates find hardest. You need 750 on a 100-900 scale.
Should I take SY0-701 or SY0-801?
Both lead to the same Security+ certification. SY0-701 is fine if you will test before it retires (English: June 11, 2027) and already studied for it. If you are just starting, SY0-801 launches around November 17, 2026 and adds more on AI-related risks and modern environments.
How do I renew Security+?
The certification is valid for three years. Earn 50 CEUs and pay the US$150 CE fee during the cycle, or renew by passing the newest exam version or a qualifying higher certification.
How much does Security+ cost?
Reports from CompTIA partners put the list price at US$439 per attempt since mid-2026, with regional variation. Check the CompTIA store for the exact price in your country before buying.