Is Security+ enough to get a security job?

It opens doors for entry-level roles, particularly where DoD 8140 matters, but employers also look for hands-on skill. Add lab projects and consider a role-specific credential.

Will my SY0-701 certification still be valid after SY0-801 launches?

Yes. A certification earned on a version remains valid for its renewal period. Check CompTIA's continuing education rules for how to renew.

CompTIA Security+ Study Guide: SY0-701 and the New SY0-801

Introduction

CompTIA Security+ is the most common starting point for a technical security career and is widely requested in government and corporate job postings. CompTIA is moving from version SY0-701 to SY0-801, so the version you choose matters. The facts below come from CompTIA's official pages as of October 2026.

Prerequisites

CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years of experience as a security or systems administrator, but this is not required

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Know the versions and dates

SY0-701 launched on November 7, 2023. Its English version retires on June 11, 2027, and other languages on August 13, 2027. SY0-801 is scheduled to launch on or around November 17, 2026, in English only, with a retirement expected about three years after launch. Both versions share the same format, so everything you learn about security transfers.

Version    Launch           Retirement
SY0-701    Nov 7, 2023      English: June 11, 2027
SY0-801    ~Nov 17, 2026    Estimated 3 years after launch

Step 2: Learn the format

Both versions allow a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, a mix of multiple choice and performance-based questions that put you in a simulated task, with a passing score of 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. CompTIA's pages did not show the exam fee, and the price varies by country, so check CompTIA's store. Renewal and continuing education rules are also on CompTIA's separate pages.

Step 3: Compare the domain weights

SY0-801 shifts weight toward foundational concepts and threats and adds coverage of AI-related security risk, while program management gets less weight. Use the weights to budget your time.

Domain (SY0-701)                                  Weight
General Security Concepts                         12%
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations         22%
Security Architecture                             18%
Security Operations                               28%
Security Program Management and Oversight         20%

Domain (SY0-801)                                  Weight
General Security Concepts                         16%
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks             24%
Security Architecture                             19%
Security Operations                               27%
Security Program Management and Oversight         14%

Step 4: Decide which version to take

If you are already well into SY0-701 material and can sit the exam comfortably before the retirement date, taking it is fine, and the certification you earn is valid the same way. If you are starting from zero after mid-November 2026, study for SY0-801 so you do not memorize an outgoing blueprint. Always buy materials that match the exam code printed on them.

Step 5: Study the core topics

Cover cryptography basics, authentication and access control, common attacks and malware, network and cloud security architecture, hardening, vulnerability management, logging and monitoring, incident response, and governance, risk, and compliance. The earlier cybersecurity lessons on this site cover many of these topics in depth. Learn the difference between similar terms, because the exam tests precise vocabulary.

Step 6: Prepare for performance-based questions and exam day

Performance-based questions appear first in the exam. They may ask you to configure a firewall rule set, match controls to scenarios, or analyze a log. Flag them and do them last if they cost you time, because they are worth no more than multiple choice. Practice in a home lab, take timed practice tests, and read each question twice for words like best, first, and most secure.

FAQs

Is Security+ enough to get a security job?: It opens doors for entry-level roles, particularly where DoD 8140 matters, but employers also look for hands-on skill. Add lab projects and consider a role-specific credential.
Will my SY0-701 certification still be valid after SY0-801 launches?: Yes. A certification earned on a version remains valid for its renewal period. Check CompTIA's continuing education rules for how to renew.

Summary

Security+ is a 90-question, 90-minute exam with a 750 pass mark. SY0-701 retires in English on June 11, 2027, and SY0-801 launches around November 17, 2026. Study the version you will actually sit, and practice performance-based questions.