COMPTIA SECURITY+ / EXAM GUIDE Know what is required.
Build the skills that help.

Understanding CompTIA Security+ requirements helps you assess your readiness and plan your certification path. While Security+ has no mandatory prerequisites, the preparation needed varies with candidates' prior knowledge and experience. This guide clarifies what's required versus recommended, and helps you determine if you're ready for Security+ or should build foundational skills first.

Key points for your next step

CompTIA Security+ has no formal prerequisites—anyone can register and take the exam. However, CompTIA recommends Network+ knowledge and two years in a security or systems administrator role. These recommendations exist because Security+ assumes foundational networking knowledge that significantly impacts exam success.

Required Prerequisites

None

Recommended Certs

A+, Network+

Recommended Experience

2 Years

Minimum Age

Check testing policy

Exam reference: SY0-701 has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and uses a scaled 750/900 passing score. Use the current CompTIA objectives. Study durations and practice percentages here are planning examples, not requirements or pass guarantees. Provider and regional prices change; confirm current costs before purchase.

Retake policy · Renewal routes · CE fees

SY0-701 retirement: English ends June 11, 2027; Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai end August 13, 2027. Check the official exam page before booking and choose resources for your exam version.

Formal Requirements (Mandatory)

The simple truth: CompTIA Security+ has no formal prerequisites.

You don't need:

• Prior certifications
• Specific education
• Verified work experience
• Minimum age
• Background checks

What You Actually Need: 1. Exam fee (the current voucher fee in the US) 2. Valid government ID 3. Pearson VUE account 4. Testing appointment (center or online proctoring)

That's it. Anyone with the fee can register and attempt the exam. However, passing is a different matter—which is why CompTIA provides recommendations.

Online Testing Requirements

If testing from home, you need: a webcam, microphone, stable internet, and a private, quiet room. Your desk must be clear except for the computer. Pearson VUE provides system tests to verify your setup.

CompTIA Recommendations (Not Required)

CompTIA officially recommends:

• CompTIA A+ certification
• CompTIA Network+ certification
• Two years of IT experience with a security focus

Why These Recommendations Matter:

Security+ assumes you understand:

• TCP/IP fundamentals
• Network protocols and ports
• Operating system administration
• Basic troubleshooting methodologies
• IT infrastructure components

Without this foundation, you'll spend significant time learning prerequisites before tackling security concepts. Network+ knowledge particularly affects Security+ success—many questions involve network security, protocols, and architecture.

The Practical Reality: Many successful candidates bypass A+ and Network+, but they either:

• Have equivalent hands-on experience
• Invest extra time learning networking fundamentals
• Come from adjacent technical fields (development, engineering)

Self-Assessment Questions

Can you explain the OSI model? Describe common ports and protocols? Configure basic network settings? Troubleshoot connectivity issues? If yes to most, you may be ready for Security+ without Network+. If no, consider building these foundations first.

Recommended Certification Paths

Traditional Path (Most Reliable): A+ → Network+ → Security+

• Takes 9-18 months
• Builds systematic knowledge
• A strong foundation for Security+ study
• Best for complete beginners

Accelerated Path (Experienced IT Professionals): Network+ → Security+

• Takes 3-6 months
• Assumes hardware/OS knowledge
• Good for IT support with 1+ years experience

Direct Path (Ambitious Beginners): Security+ Only

• Takes 3-6 months of intensive study
• Requires learning networking fundamentals alongside security
• Higher failure risk without foundation
• Suitable for motivated self-learners with technical aptitude

Career Changer Path: ITF+ → Security+

• ITF+ builds fundamental IT literacy
• Bridge for non-technical backgrounds
• Takes 6-12 months

DoD 8570/8140 Considerations

Check the current DoD 8140 qualification matrix for the work role and proficiency level, then confirm the employer’s requirements. Security+ does not automatically qualify a candidate for every government or defense job.

Assessing Your Readiness

Before committing to Security+, honestly assess your current knowledge:

Green Lights (You're Ready):

• Comfortable with TCP/IP and common protocols
• Can explain encryption basics (symmetric vs. asymmetric)
• Understand authentication vs. authorization
• Familiar with common threats (malware types, phishing, social engineering)
• Have configured firewalls, access controls, or security settings

Yellow Lights (Consider Foundation First):

• Networking concepts feel unfamiliar
• Limited hands-on IT experience
• Never worked with servers or enterprise systems
• Security terminology is new
• Last technical learning was years ago

Red Lights (Build Foundations First):

• New to IT entirely
• Uncomfortable with computers beyond basic use
• Networking, ports, protocols are completely foreign
• No exposure to security concepts
• Learning style requires structured, progressive curriculum

Practice Test Diagnostic

Take a free Security+ practice test before committing. Scoring 50%+ without preparation suggests existing knowledge that supports direct Security+ study. Below 40% indicates foundational gaps that may require addressing first.

Put the guidance into practice

1. Assess Your Current Knowledge

   Take a free practice test or review Security+ objectives to gauge your starting point.

   Be honest about gaps—it's better to build foundations than to fail the exam.

2. Choose Your Path

   Based on your assessment, decide between traditional (A+/Network+ first), accelerated (Network+ only), or direct (Security+ only) paths.

   The direct path saves time but has higher failure rates for complete beginners.

3. Address Foundational Gaps

   If choosing direct path with gaps, incorporate networking fundamentals into your Security+ study plan.

   Professor Messer offers free Network+ videos that can supplement Security+ preparation.

4. Register When Ready

   Create a Pearson VUE account and schedule your exam when consistently scoring 85%+ on practice tests.

   Don't purchase the voucher until you're within 2-3 months of exam readiness.

More study tips

Network+ knowledge directly impacts 30-40% of Security+ exam content—don't underestimate its importance.

Two years of "IT experience" doesn't mean two years of security-focused work—general IT support counts if you've touched security topics.

If skipping Network+, at minimum study TCP/IP, common ports, and network architecture before diving into Security+.

Government/military roles often require Security+ specifically—check job requirements before choosing your path.

Consider your timeline: direct path is faster but riskier; traditional path is slower but more reliable.

Mistakes to check for

Assuming "no prerequisites" means "no preparation needed"—Security+ is intermediate-level.

Skipping Network+ then struggling with network security questions on Security+.

Underestimating the networking knowledge assumed by Security+ study materials.

Choosing the direct path primarily to save time, then failing and losing more time.

Not addressing foundational gaps before diving into security-specific content.

Study note

Security+ can be a first certification, but learners still need networking and systems foundations. For most people, spending 2-3 months on Network+ fundamentals before Security+ is time well invested.

Assess Your Security+ Readiness

Take a free practice test to evaluate your current knowledge and identify any gaps.