Overview
CompTIA Security+ V7 (exam SY0-701) launched on November 7, 2023. English SY0-701 retires on June 11, 2027. CompTIA has announced Security+ V8 (SY0-801) for around mid-November 2026, so confirm which version you are registered for before you book. Accumentum is a CompTIA Authorized Training Partner. We teach the current SY0-701 blueprint and will update training when V8 launches. Accumentum is a CompTIA Authorized Training Partner and an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. CompTIA sets exam content, fees, and policies.
Accumentum is a CompTIA Authorized Training Partner and an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. CompTIA sets exam content, fees, and policies.
Who it is for
- People moving into cybersecurity from help desk, networking, or systems administration
- Service members and veterans who need a DoD 8140 baseline security credential
- Career changers who want a vendor-neutral first security cert before CISSP or cloud security paths
Exam domains
Weights follow the official SY0-701 outline.
- 01
General Security Concepts
12%Security controls, CIA and AAA, zero trust, change management, and core cryptography including PKI, hashing, and digital signatures.
- 02
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations
22%Threat actors and motivations, attack vectors, common vulnerabilities, malware and network attacks, and mitigation techniques such as segmentation and hardening.
- 03
Security Architecture
18%On-premises, cloud, IoT, and ICS architectures, enterprise infrastructure choices, data protection, and resilience and recovery.
- 04
Security Operations
28%The largest domain. Secure baselines, asset and vulnerability management, monitoring, firewalls and EDR or XDR, identity tools, automation, and incident response.
- 05
Security Program Management and Oversight
20%Governance, risk management, third-party risk, compliance, audits and assessments, and security awareness.
Exam format and cost
- Questions
- Maximum of 90
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Format
- Multiple choice and performance-based
- Passing score
- 750 on a scale of 100 to 900
- Cost
- $439 USD voucher on CompTIA's U.S. store as of October 2026 ($579 with Retake Assurance)
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test center or online with remote proctoring
- Languages
- English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai
Experience and eligibility
CompTIA recommends CompTIA Network+ and about two years in a security or systems administrator role. There is no hard experience gate to sit the exam.
Renewal
Security+ is valid for three years. You can renew with 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and the CompTIA CE renewal fee (about $150 for the three-year period), by passing the latest Security+ exam, by earning a higher CompTIA cert, or through CertMaster CE where CompTIA offers it.
What is changing
Security+ V8 (SY0-801) is expected around mid-November 2026. CompTIA says it keeps the 90-question, 90-minute format and reweights domains with more AI-related risk coverage. English SY0-701 retires June 11, 2027. If you test in late 2026 or 2027, confirm which code your voucher schedules.
Roles this credential fits
- Security analyst or cyber defense analyst
- Systems or network administrator with security duties
- Junior incident responder or vulnerability analyst
- Security control assessor and related DoD 8140 work roles
Security+ questions
Is Security+ worth it?
Security+ is worth it when employers or contracts in your market ask for CompTIA proof, or when the domains match work you already do or want next. Common roles include Security analyst or cyber defense analyst, Systems or network administrator with security duties, and Junior incident responder or vulnerability analyst. Security+ also shows up in DoD 8140 and related baseline conversations, so check the current work-role mapping for your billet. Read the roles and domains on this page, then decide against your timeline and budget.
How hard is Security+?
You get up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. Format: Multiple choice and performance-based. Passing score: 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. Delivery: Pearson VUE test center or online with remote proctoring. CompTIA recommends CompTIA Network+ and about two years in a security or systems administrator role. People who pass usually mix domain study with timed practice, not reading alone.
Does Security+ expire?
Security+ is valid for three years. You can renew with 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and the CompTIA CE renewal fee (about $150 for the three-year period), by passing the latest Security+ exam, by earning a higher CompTIA cert, or through CertMaster CE where CompTIA offers it.
How does Accumentum help with Security+?
We offer Expert-led training mapped to the Security+ domains, PathPay® payment options, PathPass™ practice where the exam is in our catalog, a free ReadyScore™ so you can see where you stand before class, and military funding support where you qualify. We are an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. Our pass rate across Accumentum certification attempts since August 2022 is 98.8% (2,412 certified of about 2,441 attempts).
How much does the Security+ exam cost?
Published pricing for Security+: $439 USD voucher on CompTIA's U.S. store as of October 2026 ($579 with Retake Assurance). Vendors change voucher prices without notice, so confirm on the official store before you buy. PathPay® can spread Accumentum course tuition when you train with us.
What are the Security+ prerequisites?
CompTIA recommends CompTIA Network+ and about two years in a security or systems administrator role. There is no hard experience gate to sit the exam.
What is changing next for Security+?
Security+ V8 (SY0-801) is expected around mid-November 2026. CompTIA says it keeps the 90-question, 90-minute format and reweights domains with more AI-related risk coverage. English SY0-701 retires June 11, 2027. If you test in late 2026 or 2027, confirm which code your voucher schedules. If your timeline is flexible, weigh that schedule against when you need Security+ on a resume or contract.
Official sources
Always confirm fees, dates, and eligibility on the vendor site before you register. Vendors change outlines and prices without notice.