CompTIA Security+ is the most widely recognised entry-level cybersecurity certification in the world. Employers use it as a baseline for security roles, the US Department of Defense mandates it for certain positions, and it’s consistently one of the top certifications for career changers entering the field.
The current exam version is SY0-701, updated for 2026. If you’re preparing for it, here’s what to read.
The Core Study Guide
Start with the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Study Guide. This is your main reference — it covers all five exam domains in full:
- General Security Concepts — core terminology, cryptography basics, authentication
- Threats, Vulnerabilities and Mitigations — attack types, social engineering, malware
- Security Architecture — network design, cloud security, infrastructure hardening
- Security Operations — incident response, identity management, monitoring
- Security Program Management — governance, risk, compliance, data privacy
Work through it domain by domain. Don’t rush it. The SY0-701 is scenario-based — it tests whether you can apply knowledge, not just recall it.
Practice Questions
Once you’ve covered the material, move to the CompTIA Security+ Lab Workbook. Hands-on exercises are more valuable than passive reading for this exam. The lab workbook walks you through practical scenarios that mirror what the exam actually tests.
For pure question volume, the CompTIA Security+ Quick Reference Guide is useful in the final week before your exam — concise domain summaries, key terms, and exam-day strategies.
Timing Your Study
Most candidates need 6–10 weeks of consistent study. A practical schedule:
- Weeks 1–2: Domains 1 and 2 (General Security Concepts + Threats)
- Weeks 3–4: Domains 3 and 4 (Architecture + Operations)
- Week 5: Domain 5 (Program Management) + full review
- Week 6: Practice tests, weak area revision, lab workbook
Don’t book your exam until you’re consistently scoring above 80% on practice tests. The passing score is 750 out of 900.
After Security+
If you’re planning to go further, the natural progressions from Security+ are:
- CompTIA CySA+ — security analyst and threat detection focus. See the CySA+ Practice Tests book.
- CompTIA PenTest+ — offensive security and penetration testing. See the PenTest+ Study Guide.
- OSCP — the gold standard for penetration testers, requires significant lab time.
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Browse the full CompTIA study guide collection at Reader’s Shack. Studying for a career in cybersecurity? Greg Hay provides advisory and mentorship for professionals entering the field.