CompTIA CASP+ (Advanced Security Practitioner) is the pinnacle of CompTIA's cybersecurity certification path. This guide covers everything about this expert-level certification for hands-on security professionals in 2026.
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is the highest cybersecurity certification in CompTIA's portfolio. Unlike CISSP which focuses on security management, CASP+ validates hands-on technical security skills for practitioners who architect, engineer, and implement enterprise security solutions.
CASP+ is unique in that it uses a pass/fail scoring model rather than a scaled score. This means every question counts equally, and the exam evaluates your ability to analyze complex security scenarios and make informed decisions under real-world conditions.
The certification meets DoD 8570 requirements at the highest technical levels (IAT Level III and IAM Level II), making it exceptionally valuable for senior cybersecurity positions in government and defense. It's designed for security architects, senior security engineers, and SOC managers who remain hands-on rather than purely managerial.
| Domain | Weight | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Security Architecture | 29% | Zero trust, cloud security, cryptographic solutions, secure design |
| Security Operations | 30% | Threat management, vulnerability management, incident response |
| Security Engineering and Cryptography | 26% | PKI, key management, protocol analysis, secure coding |
| Governance, Risk, and Compliance | 15% | Risk strategies, compliance frameworks, business continuity |
| Factor | CASP+ | CISSP |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Technical hands-on | Management/leadership |
| Best For | Security architects/engineers | CISOs/security directors |
| Cost | $494 | $749 |
| DoD Level | IAT III / IAM II | IAT III / IAM III |
| Avg Salary | $100K-$145K | $120K-$160K |
Prepare with advanced scenario-based practice questions.
Start Free Practice Test →CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is the highest-level cybersecurity certification in the CompTIA lineup. It validates advanced security skills for practitioners who architect, engineer, integrate, and implement secure solutions across complex enterprise environments.
CASP+ is for hands-on security practitioners who implement solutions. CISSP is for security managers and leaders who design policies. Choose CASP+ if you want to stay technical; choose CISSP if you're moving into management.
CASP+ is very challenging — it's CompTIA's most difficult exam. Questions are scenario-based requiring analysis of complex security situations. Most candidates need Security+ plus 10+ years of IT experience.
CompTIA recommends 10 years of general IT experience with at least 5 years of hands-on security experience.
Yes, CASP+ meets DoD 8570 requirements for IAT Level III and IAM Level II positions — the highest technical levels.
The CASP+ exam costs $494 USD, making it one of the more expensive CompTIA exams but still cheaper than CISSP ($749).