The Security+ cert is the closest thing IT has to a universal hiring baseline. The U.S. Department of Defense mandates it under Directive 8570 for anyone in an information assurance role. Dozens of federal contractors list it as a minimum requirement, not a nice-to-have. And on the civilian side, it consistently appears in more entry-to-mid-level security job postings than any other vendor-neutral certification. If you're deciding where to spend your study time, that market signal matters.
This guide covers what the Security+ cert actually tests, how hard it is, what it pays, and which prep courses are worth your time. No filler about "the ever-evolving threat landscape."
What the Security+ Cert Covers
CompTIA updates the Security+ every three years. The current version, SY0-701, launched in November 2023 and is valid until late 2026. The exam has six domain areas:
- General Security Concepts (12%) — cryptography fundamentals, authentication types, security controls
- Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%) — threat actors, social engineering, malware categories, vulnerability scanning
- Security Architecture (18%) — cloud, hybrid, and on-prem environments; zero trust; network segmentation
- Security Operations (28%) — incident response, log analysis, endpoint hardening, identity and access management
- Security Program Management and Oversight (20%) — risk management, compliance frameworks, data privacy, third-party risk
The exam is 90 minutes, up to 90 questions (multiple choice plus performance-based questions that simulate real tasks), and the passing score is 750 out of 900. CompTIA recommends two years of IT experience with a security focus before attempting it, though many people pass with less if they study deliberately.
Is the Security+ Cert Worth It for Your Career?
The cert pays. According to CompTIA's own workforce data and third-party salary aggregators, Security+ holders in the US typically earn between $75,000 and $105,000 in entry-level security analyst and SOC analyst roles. Mid-level roles like security engineer or systems security administrator push into the $110,000–$130,000 range. Those numbers vary heavily by location and employer, but the cert reliably gets your resume past automated filters that would otherwise bin it.
More practically: the Security+ cert signals that you understand the vocabulary, frameworks, and threat concepts that security teams use daily. That matters in interviews. A hiring manager asking about the difference between an IDS and an IPS, or how you'd respond to a phishing incident, expects a Security+ holder to answer without hesitation.
What the cert doesn't do: it doesn't make you a penetration tester or a threat hunter. Those roles require hands-on lab work and typically more advanced certs (CEH, OSCP, GPEN). Security+ is the foundation layer. Think of it as the prerequisite that unlocks the next conversation, not the destination.
How Difficult Is the Security+ Cert Exam?
CompTIA reports a pass rate it doesn't publish publicly, but instructor-side data and community forums (Reddit's r/CompTIA has years of exam reports) consistently put first-attempt pass rates somewhere between 65% and 80% for candidates who did structured study. The performance-based questions trip people up most — they require you to drag-and-drop firewall rules, analyze log outputs, or configure a secure network setup under time pressure. Multiple-choice knowledge alone won't carry you.
Realistic study timeline for someone with 1-2 years of IT background: 60–100 hours over 6–10 weeks. Someone coming from a non-IT background should budget 120–150 hours. The material isn't conceptually hard — it's broad. You need to know a little about a lot: PKI, SIEM tools, access control models, cloud shared responsibility, disaster recovery, GDPR basics. The breadth is the challenge, not the depth.
Top Courses to Prepare for the Security+ Cert
These are the courses with the strongest ratings from verified learners on this site, filtered for Security+ relevance. The Coursera options lean theoretical (good for exam vocab), the Udemy options lean hands-on (good for performance-based questions). You probably want one from each column.
Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs (Coursera)
Part of Google's Cybersecurity Certificate, this course focuses on translating security knowledge into real job tasks — writing incident reports, communicating risk to stakeholders, using SIEM tools. The final prep before job applications, and directly relevant to the Security+ Operations domain (28% of the exam). Rated 9.7/10 by learners.
IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts (Coursera)
Google's dedicated security theory course covers encryption, authentication, network security, and threat defense in plain terms. Aligns closely with the Security+ General Security Concepts and Threats domains. Strong for building the vocabulary you'll need before doing practice exams. Rated 9.7/10.
CompTIA SecAI+ Fundamentals: AI Cybersecurity Basics (Udemy)
Covers the intersection of AI tools and security operations — relevant to SY0-701's updated content on AI-assisted threats and defenses. Useful if you're prepping for the current exam version rather than older study guides that predate these additions. Rated 9.6/10.
A Practical Guide to Cybersecurity Operations Foundations (Udemy)
Hands-on operations focus — exactly what you need for the performance-based questions. Covers SOC workflows, log analysis, and incident triage in a lab environment. Rated 9.6/10 and consistently recommended for candidates who've done the reading but struggle with applied questions.
Building and Configuring Your Cybersecurity Attack Lab (Udemy)
Setting up your own attack lab (VMs, network tools, vulnerability targets) is the single best thing you can do to reinforce Security+ concepts before exam day. This course walks through it step by step. Rated 9.6/10. The hands-on experience also pays off in technical interviews.
AI-Driven SOC: Fundamentals of Security Operations (Udemy)
SOC fundamentals with a modern slant — covers how AI tools are reshaping alert triage and threat detection. Relevant to both the SY0-701 exam content and to the job you'll actually be doing after you pass. Rated 9.6/10.
Security+ Cert vs. Other Entry-Level Options
Three certifications compete for the same audience as Security+: CompTIA Network+, the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), and the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. Here's how they differ:
- Network+: Pure networking (TCP/IP, routing, switching). Not a security cert, but Security+ assumes you understand networking basics. Many people do Network+ first, then Security+. If you already have networking experience, skip it.
- ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity): Free to take, aimed at career changers with no IT background. Lighter content, less employer recognition. Good as a first step; doesn't replace Security+ for DoD-adjacent jobs.
- Google Cybersecurity Certificate (Coursera): Not a standalone certification employers require, but the coursework maps well to Security+ domains and includes hands-on labs. Use it as prep, not as a replacement.
If your goal is federal, defense contractor, or government-adjacent work, the Security+ cert is the only one of these that satisfies DoD 8570/8140 requirements. For private sector entry-level roles, any of these can get you interviews — Security+ just opens the most doors.
What to Expect on Exam Day
The Security+ cert exam is delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers and online (with a remote proctor). Online delivery has stricter requirements: clean desk, no second monitor, camera and microphone required. Some candidates find test center easier to focus in; others prefer home. Both are equally valid for the cert.
You get your score immediately after the exam. Pass and you'll receive a digital badge and certificate within a few days. The cert is valid for three years, after which you need to either retake the current exam or earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through approved activities.
Exam vouchers cost $404 USD at full price. CompTIA periodically runs promotions (10-20% off), and some employers reimburse the cost on pass. CertMaster Learn bundles (CompTIA's official learning platform) run $499–$599 and include a voucher. If your employer won't cover it, the Udemy and Coursera prep courses above cost a fraction of that and cover the same material.
FAQ
How long does it take to get the Security+ cert?
For someone with 1-2 years of IT experience, most candidates pass within 8-12 weeks of structured study (60-100 hours total). Without an IT background, budget 3-4 months. The exam itself is 90 minutes. Once you pass, CompTIA issues the digital credential within a few business days.
Is the Security+ cert worth it in 2025-2026?
Yes, particularly for anyone targeting federal or DoD-adjacent roles, where it's a mandatory baseline. In the private sector, it's still the most widely recognized entry-level security cert. The ROI is solid: exam cost is ~$400, and Security+ holders typically earn $20,000–$40,000 more annually than non-certified IT generalists in comparable roles.
What score do you need to pass the Security+ cert?
750 out of 900. The exam uses a scaled scoring model, so the raw number of correct answers doesn't map 1:1 to the score. CompTIA doesn't publish the exact conversion formula, but most practice test providers consider 80% correct a reliable indicator of exam readiness.
Can I pass Security+ without prior IT experience?
Some people do, but it's harder than CompTIA's marketing suggests. The performance-based questions assume you can read network diagrams, interpret log entries, and configure basic security tools. Without hands-on exposure, you'll need to compensate with lab practice (virtual machines, tools like Wireshark, Nmap). A home lab or a lab-heavy course helps significantly.
Do I need Network+ before Security+?
CompTIA recommends it but doesn't require it. If you can explain how TCP/IP works, what a firewall does, and how DNS resolution happens, you have enough networking knowledge for Security+. If those terms are unfamiliar, either do Network+ first or spend a week on networking fundamentals before diving into Security+ prep.
How often does the Security+ cert exam change?
CompTIA releases a new version approximately every three years. The current version (SY0-701) launched November 2023. When a new version releases, the previous version is retired about six months later. Make sure your study materials are written for the current exam version — SY0-601 materials are outdated and will leave gaps in your prep for SY0-701.
Bottom Line
The Security+ cert is the most practical first move for anyone entering cybersecurity. It's not the most prestigious cert you'll ever earn — that bar belongs to things like CISSP or OSCP — but it's the one that gets you hired, clears DoD compliance requirements, and establishes that you understand the field's core vocabulary. The exam is passable in 2-3 months of focused study, the credential is globally recognized, and the salary bump justifies the cost of the voucher many times over in the first year.
Start with a structured course to build the conceptual foundation (the Coursera options above work well for this), then shift to performance-based practice with hands-on labs in the final 2-3 weeks before your exam date. Practice exams from Professor Messer or Jason Dion are widely recommended by Security+ candidates for final prep — pair them with the courses above for the best coverage of both the knowledge and applied question types.