If you've passed Security+ with Professor Messer and you're looking to continue with CySA+, you'll hit a dead end on his channel. CySA+ is the next logical step in the CompTIA cybersecurity pathway, but Messer's curriculum simply doesn't extend that far. This page is the cleanest answer to "what should I use instead of Messer for CySA+?" — with the same focus on free or cheap-and-effective that drew you to Messer originally.
Professor Messer does not have a CySA+ course — his free curriculum stops at A+, Network+, and Security+. The closest Messer-style alternatives for CySA+ are Jason Dion's Udemy course (~$15–25 on sale), CompTIA's own CertMaster Learn, and free YouTube playlists from Cyberkraft and ITProTV. Most candidates use Dion as their primary and a free practice tool for active recall.
Why Messer Doesn't Cover CySA+
Messer focuses on the entry-tier CompTIA trifecta (A+, Network+, Security+) because that's where his audience is biggest. Mid-level certs like CySA+, PenTest+, and CASP+ have smaller audiences and don't fit his free-supported business model. There's no signal that Messer plans to expand into CySA+ — so the best move is to pick a similarly structured alternative now.
Best Messer-Style CySA+ Alternatives
Jason Dion (Udemy) — primary recommendation. ~$15–25 on sale. Full video course plus practice exams that include PBQs. The natural next step for Messer alums because Dion's structure and pacing are similar.
CompTIA CertMaster Learn — official. $349+ standalone. The official course with labs and adaptive learning. Expensive, but the only resource backed by CompTIA directly. Worth it if your employer pays.
Cyberkraft (YouTube) — free. Solid free CySA+ content, less polished than Messer but covers all objectives. Best free option.
ITProTV / ACI Learning — subscription. $39/month. Strong production quality, hands-on labs, full CySA+ coverage. Worth a 1-month subscription to binge the course.
PrepForCerts CySA+ practice — free. Adaptive practice questions to pair with whichever video source you pick.
The most popular stack: Dion's Udemy course as primary + a free practice tool for daily recall + CompTIA's free PBQ samples for exam-day realism.
How CySA+ Differs From Security+
CySA+ is more hands-on than Security+ — it tests practical analyst skills: log analysis, SIEM tool interpretation, vulnerability scanning, incident response workflows. That means:
- More PBQs that simulate real tools (Splunk-like log searches, Nessus-style scan output interpretation). - More memorization of indicators of compromise (specific attack patterns, log signatures). - Less pure terminology recall — Security+ rewards definitions; CySA+ rewards applying them.
If you passed Security+ on theory, expect a step-up in tool familiarity for CySA+. Plan for 60–80 study hours.
Pro Tips
Buy Dion's Udemy course only during a sale — full price is rarely worth it.
Take a free practice exam first to baseline before committing to a full course — you may be closer than you think.
CertMaster Learn is overpriced for self-funded candidates — only buy if your employer pays.
Pair your video source with a free SIEM lab (Splunk free tier, Elastic free tier) for hands-on tool familiarity.
Don't skip the PBQ practice — CySA+ PBQs are heavier than Security+ PBQs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting for Messer to release a CySA+ course — it's not coming.
Paying full price for CertMaster Learn when Dion + free tools cover 90% of the value at 5% of the cost.
Skipping hands-on lab work and relying purely on video — CySA+ heavily tests tool application.
Treating CySA+ like Security+ Part 2 — the practical analyst focus is genuinely different.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — his curriculum covers A+, Network+, and Security+ only.
No public plans — and his focus has historically stayed on the entry-tier trifecta.
Cyberkraft on YouTube — same free model, less polished but full objective coverage.
Yes — it's the most-recommended paid alternative and the natural next step for Messer alums.
No. It's overpriced for self-funded candidates. Dion + free tools cover the same ground.
60–80 study hours over 8–10 weeks for a Security+ alum.
Related Resources
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