Exam SY0-701
CompTIA Security+
Launch your cybersecurity career with the industry-leading certification.
- Questions
- Up to 90 questions
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Passing score
- 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
- Exam price (US)
- $439 USD
General Security Concepts
A security engineer is tasked with protecting sensitive payment card data housed in the company’s on-premises SQL customer-relationship management (CRM) database. Management wants only the “credit_card_number” field encrypted so that the remaining columns can still be searched and indexed without a noticeable performance hit. Which encryption method should the engineer recommend?
Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations
During a post-incident investigation, analysts confirm that an intruder used an out-of-band SSH tunnel from a development jump-box to exfiltrate circuit-board CAD files to an overseas server controlled by a company’s direct market competitor. No systems were damaged, no ransom notes were left, and operations continued uninterrupted. Which primary adversary motivation BEST fits this activity?
Security Architecture
Which network isolation technique eliminates any physical or wireless pathway to other networks, ensuring there is zero connectivity even through routers or firewalls?
Security+ exam domains
12%
General Security Concepts
Security controls, zero trust, change management, cryptography, and PKI
22%
Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations
Attack types, indicators, mitigation techniques
18%
Security Architecture
Enterprise security, cloud, virtualization, and secure design
28%
Security Operations
Monitoring, incident response, automation, and forensics
20%
Security Program Management and Oversight
Governance, risk management, compliance, and policies
About Security+
CompTIA Security+ is the most widely adopted certification for cybersecurity professionals. It validates baseline skills for core security functions and pursuing an IT security career.
How we help you pass
1,200+ practice questions
Every Security+ domain, with a detailed explanation for each answer.
Timed mock exams
Full-length exam simulations with a score breakdown by domain, so you know where to focus.
400+ flashcards
Key terms and acronyms with spaced repetition, so they stick.
Aurora AI tutor
Ask about any Security+ question or concept and get a plain-English explanation.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CompTIA Security+ SY0-701?
- SY0-701 is the current version of CompTIA Security+, released in November 2023. Its successor, SY0-801, is expected in November 2026, and the English SY0-701 exam remains available until June 11, 2027. It focuses on current cybersecurity trends including cloud security, zero trust architecture, and security operations.
- How long is Security+ valid?
- CompTIA Security+ is valid for 3 years. You can renew through continuing education (CEUs), higher certification, or retaking the exam.
- What jobs can I get with Security+?
- Security+ opens doors to roles like Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Security Administrator, IT Auditor, Penetration Tester, and Security Consultant. It is approved for DoD 8140 cyberspace work roles (DoD 8140 replaced the older 8570 program).
- Is Security+ hard to pass?
- CompTIA does not publish official pass rates, and many candidates find the exam challenging. With proper preparation using practice questions and understanding core concepts, most dedicated students pass on their first attempt.
- Should I get Network+ before Security+?
- While not required, having Network+ knowledge helps. Security+ assumes basic networking understanding. If you're new to IT, consider studying networking fundamentals first.
Practice Security+ PBQs
Performance-based questions (PBQs) are the hands-on simulations on the real exam. Practice them in our PBQ labs.
More Security+ resources
Ready to pass Security+?
Practice by domain, take timed mock exams and see exactly where to focus next.
Get started