Short answer
- What it is: CompTIA’s vendor-neutral entry-level cybersecurity certification. The current exam is SY0-701, launched November 7, 2023 (CompTIA).
- Exam: up to 90 questions (multiple choice and performance-based), 90 minutes, passing score 750 on a 100 to 900 scale.
- Prerequisites: none required. CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years in a security or systems administrator role.
- Cost: $439 for the voucher. Full cost breakdown.
- Valid for three years, renewable with 50 CEUs and a $150 fee per cycle.
- Next change: the English SY0-701 exam retires on June 11, 2027.
Security+ is CompTIA’s entry-level cybersecurity certification, and CompTIA maps it to US Department of Defense (DoD 8140) work roles. This guide covers what the exam tests, who it suits, how renewal works and how it compares with the next steps. Every fact links to CompTIA. We checked them on September 22, 2026.
What the exam covers
The SY0-701 exam objectives split the exam into five domains (CompTIA exam objectives, PDF):
| Domain | Share of the exam |
|---|---|
| 1.0 General Security Concepts | 12% |
| 2.0 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% |
| 3.0 Security Architecture | 18% |
| 4.0 Security Operations | 28% |
| 5.0 Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% |
Security operations is the largest block. Some questions are performance-based, meaning you work through a simulated task rather than pick an answer.
Exam facts
| Exam code | SY0-701 (V7) |
| Launched | November 7, 2023 |
| Retires | English: June 11, 2027; Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai: August 13, 2027 |
| Questions | maximum of 90, multiple choice and performance-based |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 |
| Recommended experience | Network+ and two years as a security or systems administrator |
Source: CompTIA Security+.
Who Security+ is for
CompTIA aligns Security+ with DoD 8140 work roles including “cyber defense analyst, incident responder, vulnerability analyst, security control assessor, system administrator, network specialist” and several more (CompTIA).
It fits you if you:
- are moving into security from IT support, networking or systems administration,
- need a baseline credential for a government or contractor role,
- want a vendor-neutral foundation before cloud- or vendor-specific security certifications.
It’s less useful if you already hold a senior certification like the CISSP, or if your target employer asks for a specific vendor’s certification instead.
How long Security+ lasts and how to renew
Security+ is valid for three years from the day you pass (CompTIA CE FAQ). To renew, you have three options:
- Continuing education: 50 CEUs within the three years plus a $150 fee per cycle (CEUs, CE fees).
- CertMaster CE: CompTIA’s online renewal course, listed at $209.
- A higher CompTIA certification: passing CySA+, for example, renews Security+ as well.
Costs of each route are compared in our Security+ cost guide.
Is Security+ worth it?
At $439 with no annual fee it’s one of the cheaper certifications to hold for three years (see the Certification Cost Index). Its value depends on the jobs you target: it’s an entry-level credential, and senior roles usually ask for experience and more advanced certifications.
A reasonable rule: if job postings you’re targeting list Security+ or DoD 8140 compliance, get it. If they list a cloud provider’s security certification or the CISSP, check whether Security+ still adds anything for you.
What comes after Security+
| Next step | Focus | Exam (US) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CySA+ | Security analyst, detection and response | $439 | Renewing it also renews Security+ |
| CISSP | Broad security, management | $749 | Needs five years of experience |
| CCSP | Cloud security | $599 | Needs five years of IT experience, or an active CISSP |
| CISM | Security management | $575 / $760 | Needs five years of security management experience |
Sources: CySA+, CISSP, CCSP, CISM.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CompTIA Security+ certification?
An entry-level, vendor-neutral cybersecurity certification from CompTIA. The current exam is SY0-701.
How long is the Security+ exam?
90 minutes, with up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
What score do you need to pass Security+?
750 on a scale of 100 to 900.
Does Security+ expire?
Yes. It’s valid for three years and can be renewed with continuing education, CertMaster CE, or a higher CompTIA certification.
When does SY0-701 retire?
The English version retires on June 11, 2027. CompTIA hadn’t published the successor exam on its Security+ page when we checked.
Do I need Network+ before Security+?
No. CompTIA recommends it, along with two years of relevant experience, but neither is required.
How we checked these facts. Every fact comes from CompTIA’s pages and its official exam objectives, linked where it appears, checked on September 22, 2026. Certificate Quest is not affiliated with CompTIA and earns nothing from links on this page.