English SY0-701: CompTIA Security+ Certification Guide
Independent guide to CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701): exam format, cost, main knowledge areas, and who the certification is for.
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This guide explains the CompTIA Security+ certification in plain English. It is written for learners who want to understand where the credential fits before choosing a study path.
Important: This is an independent reference guide, not a CompTIA page. Credential names, exam codes, availability, retirement dates, pricing, languages, registration rules, and policies may change. Confirm details on the official CompTIA site before registering.
In this guide
- What is Security+
- Quick exam facts
- Who this certification is for
- Main knowledge areas
- How to prepare
- Where this fits in the CompTIA path
- Prep resources and references
1. What is Security+
CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral, entry-to-intermediate credential in cybersecurity. Unlike the Microsoft SC-series or AWS/Google security certs, it does not test any single vendor's products. It covers the same core ground (threats, architecture, operations, program management) that any security role touches, regardless of which cloud or platform an employer runs.
2. Quick exam facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Certification | CompTIA Security+ |
| Code | SY0-701 |
| Level | Entry-to-intermediate, vendor-neutral |
| Vendor | CompTIA |
| Format | Up to 90 questions (multiple-choice + performance-based), 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 out of 900 |
| Prerequisites | None required. CompTIA recommends Network+ and about two years of security/systems-admin experience. |
| Validity | 3 years, renewed via 50 CEUs or a higher CompTIA certification |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai |
| DoD 8570/8140 | Approved, IAT Level II baseline |
| Official page | CompTIA Security+ certification page |
3. Who this certification is for
This certification is most relevant for people starting a security career, IT administrators moving into security, and anyone who wants a broad, vendor-neutral baseline before specializing in one platform's security tooling. Pricing changes periodically; confirm the current exam fee on CompTIA's own page before budgeting.
4. Main knowledge areas
Use the following list as a planning summary, then compare it with the current CompTIA exam objectives before registering.
- general security concepts
- threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations
- security architecture
- security operations
- security program management and oversight
5. How to prepare
Security+ mixes recall with hands-on performance-based questions, so pure memorization is not enough. Budget time to practice the simulation-style items (configuring access controls, reading logs, matching mitigations to scenarios), not just multiple-choice drills.
Official preparation links
6. Where this fits in the CompTIA path
This is our first CompTIA guide on the site. There is not yet a same-vendor next step to point you to here.