CompTIA Security+ is the world's most popular cybersecurity certification and the industry standard for validating baseline security skills. Whether you're launching a cybersecurity career or advancing your IT credentials, this guide covers everything you need to know.
CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that validates foundational cybersecurity knowledge and skills. It's often the first security certification IT professionals pursue and serves as a gateway to more advanced cybersecurity certifications like CySA+, PenTest+, and CASP+.
Security+ is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense to meet directive 8570 compliance requirements, making it mandatory for many government and military IT positions. This DoD approval alone makes Security+ one of the most in-demand certifications in the industry.
The certification covers a broad range of security topics including threat management, cryptography, identity and access management, network security architecture, risk management, and security operations. This breadth makes it valuable for multiple job roles across the cybersecurity spectrum.
| Domain | Weight | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| General Security Concepts | 12% | CIA triad, zero trust, AAA, gap analysis, security controls |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% | Threat actors, social engineering, malware, vulnerability types |
| Security Architecture | 18% | Network architecture, cloud security, virtualization, IoT |
| Security Operations | 28% | Monitoring, incident response, automation, digital forensics |
| Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% | Governance, risk management, compliance, security awareness |
Security+ is designed for IT professionals with at least two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus. However, many candidates pass without formal experience through dedicated self-study. The certification is particularly valuable for:
Security+ opens doors to numerous cybersecurity roles across industries. According to 2026 salary data, Security+ holders earn significantly more than non-certified IT professionals.
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $65K-$95K |
| SOC Analyst | $60K-$90K |
| Security Administrator | $70K-$100K |
| Security Engineer | $85K-$130K |
| IT Security Specialist (Government) | $75K-$115K |
The most effective preparation combines video courses, hands-on labs, study guides, and practice exams. Performance-based questions (PBQs) make up a significant portion of the exam, so hands-on practice is essential rather than just memorizing concepts.
Security+ sits at the intermediate level of CompTIA's certification pathway. Understanding where it fits helps you plan your long-term career development:
While Security+ has no mandatory prerequisites, CompTIA recommends completing Network+ first and having two years of IT experience with a security focus. Many employers list Security+ as a minimum requirement for cybersecurity positions.
Practice with Smart Practice exam simulations covering all five domains.
Start Free Practice Test →CompTIA Security+ is the most widely held cybersecurity certification globally. It validates foundational security skills including threat detection, risk management, cryptography, network security, and incident response. It's vendor-neutral and recognized by employers worldwide.
Security+ is considered harder than both A+ and Network+. It covers more abstract concepts like cryptography and risk management, and requires understanding of security frameworks and compliance. Most candidates need 2-3 months of dedicated study with prior IT experience.
The Security+ exam requires a passing score of 750 on a scale of 100-900. The exam has up to 90 questions combining multiple-choice and performance-based questions, with a 90-minute time limit.
Security+ alone can qualify you for entry-level cybersecurity roles like security analyst, SOC analyst, and IT security specialist. It meets DoD 8570 requirements for IAT Level II positions, making it particularly valuable for government and defense contractor roles.
Yes, Security+ is valid for three years. You can renew by earning 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), passing a higher-level CompTIA certification, or retaking the exam. The renewal fee is $150 for CEU-based renewal.
The Security+ exam voucher costs $404 USD. Additional costs may include study materials ($50-$300), practice tests ($30-$100), and optional boot camps ($2,000-$4,000). Many employers reimburse certification costs upon passing.