CompTIA Security+
CompTIAEntryDoD 8570
Exam fee
$404
≈ 319 GBP · 545 CAD · 372 EUR · rolling-avg FX; verify with your bank before any payment
Exam code
SY0-701
Renewal
3yr
Active holders
265,992
The CompTIA Security+ is a cybersecurity certification from CompTIA with an exam fee of $404 and a 3-year renewal cycle. Approved under DoD 8570. Career intelligence sourced from BLS and CompTIA official data using the DecipherU Methodology™.
Version 1.0 · Published April 2026 · Last verified April 2026
How is it pronounced?
COMP-tee-uh security plus
CompTIA is 'COMP-tee-uh', three syllables.
About the CompTIA Security+
Security+ is the cybersecurity industry's most common first certification. It covers the foundational concepts a junior practitioner is expected to have on day one: threats and attacks, cryptography, identity, network security, and governance. I have watched hiring managers use it as a filter rather than a signal, which means candidates without it get screened out even when they have the skills. The exam is vendor-neutral, DoD 8570 approved for IAT Level II roles, and renewed every three years through continuing education. It is the cheapest cybersecurity cert that actually opens doors.
Who should earn it
Career changers breaking into cybersecurity, IT support staff pivoting to security, and veterans using DoD benefits. The right first cert when you want the broadest employer recognition at the lowest cost.
Exam details
- Provider
- CompTIA
- Exam code
- SY0-701
- Questions
- 90
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Passing score
- 750/900
- Exam fee
- $404 (verify with CompTIA)
- Renewal
- Every 3 years via CPE
- Experience level
- Entry
- DoD 8570/8140
- Approved
Prerequisites
Recommended: two years of IT administration experience with a security focus. Not enforced, but the exam assumes you have touched real networks and endpoints.
Key domains
- General Security Concepts
- Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations
- Security Architecture
- Security Operations
- Security Program Management and Oversight
Federal and DoD relevance
The CompTIA Security+ is approved under DoD Directive 8570.01-M (now 8140), so cybersecurity roles supporting US Department of Defense information systems can use it to satisfy the baseline certification requirement for their IAT, IAM, or CSSP workforce category. That matters for federal contractors, cleared facilities, and agencies where 8140 compliance is a hiring gate.
Salary impact
Security+ holders typically earn 10-15% more than entry-level IT peers without it, per CompTIA 2024 salary data. It is the floor for federal contractor work and unlocks the $75,000-$95,000 range for SOC Analyst and junior GRC roles.
Most relevant roles
Last verified: April 2026?Report an inaccuracy
Certification details are sourced from official certifying body websites. Verify current pricing, exam format, and requirements directly with the certifying organization before making decisions. DecipherU is not affiliated with any certifying body.
The CompTIA Security+ is a cybersecurity certification from CompTIA targeting entry-level professionals. It validates core competencies employers look for when hiring for security-focused roles.
The CompTIA Security+ exam fee is $404 as of April 2026. Pricing is set by CompTIA and subject to change. Always verify current pricing at the official CompTIA website before registering. Some employers and training programs offer exam vouchers that can reduce out-of-pocket cost.
The CompTIA Security+ is designed for those starting their cybersecurity career, including IT professionals transitioning into security roles and recent graduates. It is also approved under the DoD 8570 directive, making it relevant for federal government and defense contractor roles.
The CompTIA Security+ certification is valid for 3 years. Renewal requires earning continuing education units (CEUs) or retaking the exam before expiration. CompTIA manages the renewal process through their member portal. Plan renewal activities well before the expiration date.
The CompTIA Security+ is commonly listed as a preferred or required qualification for SOC Analyst, Security Engineer, Penetration Tester, and related cybersecurity roles. Use the DecipherU career assessment to find which certifications match your target role and experience level.
Sources
- CompTIA official website · Certification pricing, exam format, and renewal requirements
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
Bridge to Applied AI
AWS Certified AI Practitioner
Both are foundation-tier credentials. Security+ establishes cybersecurity baseline literacy; AWS AI Practitioner does the same for cloud AI services. Pairing them is common for early-career practitioners exploring the AI security frontier.
Read the AWS Certified AI Practitioner guide →Related Cybersecurity Resources
Wondering if CompTIA Security+ is right for you?
Take a free behavioral assessment to discover which certifications align with your natural strengths and cybersecurity career goals.
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DecipherU career intelligence is developed by Julian Calvo, Ed.D., M.S., using AI-assisted research, analysis, and content generation: reviewed and validated against the DecipherU Methodology™. Career and compensation data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET OnLine, and industry compensation databases. Assessment frameworks are grounded in published psychometric research, applied learning sciences (University of Miami), organizational learning theory (Barry University), and applied AI (Northeastern University). DecipherU uses artificial intelligence as a research and authoring tool; all methodology, framework design, scoring models, and editorial standards are developed and maintained by the DecipherU team.
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