Overview
CompTIA Security+ shows that a candidate understands the core technical and procedural skills used in IT security work. Its exam covers threats and vulnerabilities, security architecture, day-to-day security operations, and the governance and risk side of a security program. Many people earn it early in a security career, often after time in a systems or network administration role. CompTIA describes it as validating the core skills required for a career in IT security and cybersecurity. It's vendor-neutral.
The exam mixes multiple-choice and performance-based questions, so candidates apply concepts in simulated tasks as well as recall them. CompTIA recommends Network+ and 2 years of experience in a security or systems administrator job role, but there's no formal prerequisite. Compared with CompTIA CySA+, which focuses on detection, analysis, and response, Security+ is broader and less specialized. GIAC's GSEC covers similar ground through a 4-hour proctored exam that includes hands-on CyberLive questions. Version 8 arrives in November 2026. CompTIA lists the V7 English exam as retiring on June 11, 2027, so candidates can choose either version for a time.
What the exam covers
The current V7 exam (SY0-701) is organized into 5 domains with published weights. The V8 exam (SY0-801), launching November 17, 2026, keeps 5 domains with revised weights and renames the threats domain to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks.
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| General Security Concepts | 12% |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% |
| Security Architecture | 18% |
| Security Operations | 28% |
| Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% |
Requirements
There is no mandatory experience requirement. CompTIA recommends Network+ and 2 years of experience working in a security or systems administrator job role.
- Format
- Multiple-choice and performance-based questions (exam SY0-701). Offered in English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai
- Questions
- Maximum of 90
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Passing score
- 750 on a scale of 100 to 900
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test centres or online with remote proctoring
No training prerequisite or endorsement is required. CompTIA states Security+ meets U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8140 requirements for several work roles.
Cost
Exam fee: USD 439 (Security+ exam voucher, CompTIA store). Price shown on CompTIA's North American store listing, checked 2026-10-12. CompTIA also sells a voucher with a retake for USD 579. Prices change and vary by region, so confirm on CompTIA's site.
Keeping it current
- Cycle
- 3 years
- Continuing education
- 50 continuing education units (CEUs) per cycle, or renew by passing the latest exam version, earning a higher-level CompTIA certification, or completing CompTIA CertMaster CE
- Fees
- USD 150 CE fee per 3-year cycle when renewing by uploading CEUs
How to verify that someone holds it
Each CompTIA certificate carries a verification code. An employer enters it on CompTIA's official certification verification page to see the certification status and achievement date, or checks the holder's Credly badge. Use the issuer’s verification page.
On InfoSecHub, a Security+ listed on a profile shows Verified by Credly only when a current Credly badge issued to that person confirms it.
In Canada
Security+ V7 is offered in English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai, and V8 launches in English, so no French-language version is listed as of 2026-10-12.
Typical roles
- Security analyst
- Security engineer
- Systems administrator
- Security administrator
Related frameworks
Official resources
From CompTIA. Links open the issuer’s site.
- Security+ official page, CompTIA
- Security+ V8 certification and exam objectives preview, CompTIAexam-outline
- Earn continuing education units (CEUs), CompTIAhandbook
- CompTIA certification verification, CompTIAverification
References
- Security+ (V7) certification page, CompTIA
- Security+ (V8) certification page, CompTIA
- Continuing education renewal fees, CompTIA
- Earn continuing education units (CEUs), CompTIA
- CompTIA digital badges, CompTIA
Reviewed 2026-10-12. Exam details, prices, and renewal rules change. Confirm them on the CompTIA website before you register. InfoSecHub is not affiliated with CompTIA.