CompTIA Security+ Certification: A Guide to Getting Certified

Want to start your career in Cybersecurity but are unsure of where to begin? The CompTIA Security+ certification could be your career’s strategic first steps in cybersecurity. 

This guide provides the essential knowledge you need to understand the certification’s value, prepare effectively, and navigate the associated costs on your cybersecurity journey.

What Is the CompTIA Security+ Certification?

CompTIA Security+  is a globally recognized certification in the IT industry. It demonstrates your cybersecurity knowledge and increases your value as a candidate in multiple sectors such as Technology, Finance, Healthcare and Government. Notably, the U.S. Department of Defense recognizes Security+ as a fulfilling baseline requirement for Information Security roles within the agency.

Though certifications alone cannot guarantee a job, gaining your Security+ credential could be a differentiator for candidates applying to roles in the competitive cybersecurity job market.  Qualified professionals lacking this certification may find themselves at a disadvantage compared to certified peers, regardless of skill level.

In fact, the value of this certification is on the rise — Udemy Business customers, including top companies, have increased the amount of time employees spend on Security+ courses by 10% year over year, highlighting the growing demand for this credential and its related skills.

Additionally, the CompTIA Security+ certification serves as a stepping-stone for more advanced security certifications such as CEH, OSCP, CISSP and others. 

What Is the SYO-701 Exam?

The SYO-701 exam is the latest edition of CompTIA Security+ exams required to earn the certification. 

SYO-701 Details:

• Exam Duration: 90 minutes
• Passing Score: at least 750/900
• Number of Objectives: 28 (streamlined from 35 in SY0-601)
• SY0-601 Retirement: May 2024

The exam is designed to test your knowledge across cybersecurity domains such as:

Domain	Description	Percentage of Focus
General Security concepts	Security Controls, CIA Triad, Change Management, Encryption	12%
Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations	Threat Actors, Attack Vectors, Vulnerabilities, Indicators of Compromise, Mitigation Techniques	22%
Secure Architecture	Secure Enterprise Infrastructure, Data Protection, Resilience and Recovery	18%
Security Operations	Hardening, Vulnerability Management, Alerting and Monitoring (Concepts and Tools), Firewalls, IDS/IPS, IAM, Automation, Incident Response	28%
Security Program Management & Oversight	Security Policies, Risk Management, Third-Party Risk Assessment, Compliance & Privacy, Audits, Security Awareness	20%

What is new in the SY0-701 Exam?

The new SY0-701 version covers less objectives when compared to the previous version because there are more clear and defined expectations for roles such as Security Analysts, SOC analysts, or Security Engineers. However, it is worth noting that this latest version goes more in-depth on objectives than before. 

Here are some of the new or expanded topics to you’ll see in the latest exam:

• Basic Security Concepts: Learn the building blocks of cybersecurity, including the CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability), encryption basics, and how to identify and assess security gaps.
  
• Security Defenses: Explore different ways to protect systems and networks — from simple fixes to more advanced techniques used in large organizations.
  
• Modern Security Architecture: Understand how companies are moving beyond traditional “firewall” defenses, with strategies like Zero Trust, system backups, planning for system capacity, and keeping services running smoothly (high availability).
  
• Finding and Fixing Weak Spots: Learn how to scan for vulnerabilities, understand common software issues (CVEs), rate the severity of threats, and take action to fix them.
  
• Security Tools and Automation: Get introduced to tools that help security teams work smarter, like systems that detect threats (SIEM), protect data (DLP), scan for weaknesses, or manage passwords securely.
  
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC): Discover how organizations handle risk, perform vendor reviews, raise employee security awareness, and carry out audits to stay compliant and safe.

How Much Does the CompTIA Security+ Certification Cost?

Earning a CompTIA Security+ certification is a big commitment in terms of time and money. Going into the process with a realistic understanding of the costs can help you budget for this career step. 

Let’s take a look at the costs associated with the certification:

Information	Cost	Additional Details
Exam Voucher	$404 as of early 2025	Official price for SY0-701; student discounts available ($262)*Always double-check costs, as they’re subject to change.
Exam Retake	$404 as of early 2025	Cost of an exam voucher again
Certificate Maintenance	$50 Annually as of early 2025	Must renew it every 3 years which goes towards continuing education units (CEUs)

Financing Options

Getting CompTIA Security+ certified does not have to break the bank. Anyone can utilize the strategic approaches below to minimize your investment while maximizing returns:

Discounts and Special Programs

• Membership Savings: CompTIA members receive significant exam voucher discounts
• State, Military and Veteran Benefits:
  • GI Bill reimbursement opportunities
  • Special military pricing on exam vouchers
  • DoD workforce development programs
  • State/local education grants through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs

Smart Purchasing Options

• Value Bundles:
  • CompTIA Basic Bundle ($581) includes exam voucher and practice tests
  • Udemy frequently offers comprehensive Security+ preparation bundles
  • Training providers often package study materials, practice exams, and vouchers at discounted rates
• Renewal Optimization: CertMaster CE ($205) provides automatic certification renewal with credit for previously paid CE fees
• Flexible Payment Plans: Many training providers offer installment options to distribute costs over time

Employer and Organizational Support

• Corporate Training Budgets: Many organizations cover certification costs for employees

Supplemental Resources

• Community Study Groups: Join or form virtual study groups to share resources and knowledge

By combining these approaches strategically, you can significantly reduce your total investment while still obtaining this valuable industry credential. The key is planning ahead and researching all available options before making your purchases.

How to Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ Exam

Effective preparation is crucial for passing the CompTIA Security+ exam on your first attempt, saving both time and money. Follow the guide below to give yourself the best chance of success in obtaining the Security+:

• Create a Structured Study Plan: Develop a realistic schedule and maintain consistency—cramming won’t work for this certification. Begin with fundamental concepts before progressing to advanced topics. 
• Leverage Collaborative Learning: join local or online study groups through platforms like Facebook or community forums. These environments foster motivation and provide support for challenging concepts.
• Utilize Practice Exams: once confident in your knowledge, take weekly practice tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format, build question-answering techniques, identify knowledge gaps requiring additional focus. 
• Consider Formal Training: for structured guidance, especially if you are new to cybersecurity, enroll in a dedicated Security+ course. These programs typically ensure comprehensive coverage of all exam objectives, increasing your chances of first-attempt success.

Udemy courses, such as this CompTIA Security+ bootcamp, often include practice exams built to mimic the areas of expertise the official exam tests.

“Passed Security+ on my first attempt with a score of 780! I’m incredibly grateful for the excellent course and thorough practice exams. It’s been a truly valuable learning experience—not just for preparing me to pass the exam, but also in developing a real cybersecurity mindset. Thank you so much!” – Gaizle Daine (Udemy Learner)

Real World Applications of Your CompTIA Security+ Certification

It is natural to wonder if, and how, the skills you’ll learn from earning this certification apply to your day-to-day as a Cybersecurity professional. 

• Speaking the Language of Cybersecurity: You’ll learn key terms and concepts that help you communicate clearly with team members, leadership, and other departments.
  
• Designing Secure Systems: You’ll understand how to build layered defenses to protect against cyber threats — whether a company’s systems are in the cloud, on-site, or hybrid.
  
• Managing Vulnerabilities: You’ll know how to identify security weaknesses, set up a process to track and fix them, and report your findings.
  
• Security Tools: You’ll gain hands-on experience with tools that scan for threats, send alerts, and generate reports to help monitor systems.
  
• Controlling Access to Data: You’ll learn how to set up secure login methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and permissions that make sure the right people have access to the right information.
  
• Writing Security Guidelines: You’ll help create and update the policies and procedures that guide how an organization stays secure.
  
• Assessing Risk: You’ll know how to create questionnaires and gather information to evaluate how much risk a vendor, tool, or internal process might introduce.
  
• Awareness Campaigns: You’ll help train employees to recognize threats like phishing emails and detect unusual behavior that could signal an attack.

Advance Your Cybersecurity Career: Get Started Now on Udemy

The CompTIA Security+ certification is a valuable credential for anyone who wants to enter or advance in the cybersecurity field. It is a globally recognized credential, and is used to fulfill baseline cybersecurity training requirements for some government positions. 

The CompTIA Security+ exam cost can be an obstacle, but it’s one that’s worth overcoming — the investment comes with long-term benefits, such as enhanced career opportunities and higher earning potential.

Taking a big-picture, realistic approach to the costs associated with a certification is important. Udemy offers a wide range of instructor-led courses to help you prepare for this certification. Get certified with the help of Udemy CompTIA courses and boost your cybersecurity career today!