There is no doubt when we say, security is one of the fastest-growing specializations in IT and arguably the most important. Further, this has lead to a huge demand in the market. Since the number of cybersecurity violations, hacks and cyberattacks increases, hence the number of cybersecurity jobs. The importance of IT security is more eminent than ever. We bet you can’t find any employers who aren’t desperate to hire individuals who have knowledge and experience in IT security.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) English language exam is retiring on July 31, 2021. A new exam Security+ (SY0-601) is now available.
As all this binds together, CompTIA Security+ certification becomes the cherry on the top for all the individuals who wish to have a validation. Not only is it proof that you have the basic knowledge necessary to protect networks and sensitive data but also a great way to head start your career. CompTIA Security+ is a valuable certification to start your journey. So, in this article, we’re going to cover every aspect of the exam. That’s right, we won’t leave out any details!
All about CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) exam is the prime security certification IT professionals must earn. It builds the core knowledge needed for any cybersecurity role. Further, it offers a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity careers. Not to mention, once qualified candidates will be able to do the following tasks.
- First thing first, the candidate will be able to detect several types of compromise and experience penetration testing and vulnerability scanning concepts
- Secondly, he/she will be able to install, configure, and deploy network components while evaluating and troubleshooting problems to support associations security
- Subsequently, implementing secure network architecture notions and systems scheme
- Further, the candidate will also be able to install and configure identity and access services, as well as administration controls
- Moreover, they’ll be able to implement and examine risk management best practices and the business impact
- Lastly, the candidate can also easily install and configure wireless security settings and execute public key infrastructure
Besides this, the CompTIA Security+ exam is designed in such a way that it focuses on today’s best applications for risk management and risk mitigation. Consequently, stressing more on the practical and hands-on ability to both recognise and address security threats, attacks and vulnerabilities.
Hard-core Reasons to choose CompTIA
While choosing anything that can accelerate our career engine, one must be very careful. With that being said, CompTIA will be a very good one to start. We understand your worry, therefore, we will never suggest anything that is not good for our fellow readers. You hitting your career with a home run is what we desire in the end. So, now we’re going to list the benefits of opting CompTIA Security+.
- Starting off with a CompTIA Security+ for your career is definitely a very good first step. This particular certification is not a high-level certification, nor does it establishes itself as the easiest one.
- Next thing you must know, CompTIA has been around for quite a while. Some of the numbers that we’ve found a show they‘ve issued over 2 million certifications. That‘s a whopping big number. They‘ve also been around for over 20 years. So, it‘s not like these guys are a newcomer to the IT world, thereby higher chance of a great job.
- As stated earlier, CompTIA is widely recognized and holds a strong position in the IT industry. In the crowded field of IT, the name CompTIA stands out, giving you an edge over your competitors.
Well, now that you get our point, let’s understand all the basic exam details in the next section.
Basic Exam Details: CompTIA Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certification is not tied to any specific company and covers important IT security concepts such as network security, data protection, and dealing with threats. Having this certification shows that you can respond to security issues, recognize and reduce risks, and prevent security troubles.
In addition, the CompTIA Security+ certification is intended at an IT security professional who has:
- A minimum of two years’ practice in IT administration with a focus on security
- Day-to-day technical knowledge security experience
- Broad understanding of security concerns and implementation
The CompTIA Securtiy+ SY0-501 is a 90-minute exam. This exam consists of no more than 90 questions. And, you need to score 750 or more on the scale of 100-900 to qualify the same. Subsequently, the exam is available in only 4 languages, i.e. English, Japanese, Portuguese and Simplified Chinese. So, make sure to proficient in at least one of the above languages.
However, the candidate can deal with several types of CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) exam questions. These are as follows-
- Firstly, Multiple Choice Questions
- Secondly, Single and Multiple Responses
- Subsequently, Drag and Drops
- Lastly, Performance-based
The cost of the exam is $370, but it might differ based on where you are. Before you register for the exam, ensure you know the exact price in your region. Remember, the CompTIA Project+ certification remains valid for a period of three years.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) Exam Course Outline
Although the Security+ exam is considered intermediate in CompTIA’s range of security certifications, it’s not something to take lightly. It requires a certain level of knowledge. Even if you have years of experience in IT, some of the topics on the exam might be new to you.
You definitely want to make sure that you dive down into some of these objectives. Therefore, don’t miss out on the list of domains mentioned above. The CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) exam objectives includes:
Domain 1: Threats, Attacks and Vulnerabilities (21%)
- First of all, analyzing indicators of compromise and determine the type of malware
- Secondly, comparing and contrasting types of attacks
- Subsequently, explaining threat actor types and attributes
- Further, explaining penetration testing concepts
- Also, explaining vulnerability scanning concepts
- Lastly, explaining the impact associated with types of vulnerabilities
Domain 2: Technologies and Tools (22%)
- First of all, installing and configuring network components, both hardware and software-based, for supporting organizational security
- Subsequently, using appropriate software tools to assess the security posture of an organization
- Also, troubleshooting common security issues
- Further, analyzing and interpreting output from security technologies
- Not to mention, deploying mobile devices securely
- Last but not least, implementing secure protocols
Domain 3: Architecture and Design (15%)
- To begin with, explaining use cases and purpose for frameworks, best practices and secure configuration guides
- Subsequently, implementing secure network architecture concepts
- In addition, implementing secure systems design
- Further, explaining the importance of secure staging deployment concepts
- Not to mention, explaining the security implications of embedded systems
- Moreover, securing application development and deployment concepts
- Furthermore, summarizing cloud and virtualization concepts
- Consequently, explaining how resiliency and automation strategies reduce risk
- Lastly, explain the importance of physical security controls
Domain 4: Identity and Access Management (16%)
- First thing first, comparing and contrasting identity and access management concepts
- Secondly, installing and configuring identity and access services
- Thirdly, implementing identity and access management controls
- Fourthly, differentiating common account management practices
Domain 5: Risk Management (14%)
- Starting off, explaining the importance of policies, plans and procedures related to organizational security
- Secondly, summarizing business impact analysis concepts
- Subsequently, explaining risk management processes and concepts
- Further, following incident response procedures
- Also, summarizing basic concepts of forensics
- Moreover, explaining disaster recovery and continuity of operations concepts
- In addition, comparing and contrasting various types of controls
- Lastly, carrying out data security and privacy practices
Domain 6: Cryptography and PKI (12%)
- First of all, comparing and contrasting the basic concepts of cryptography
- Secondly, explaining cryptography algorithms and their basic characteristics
- Thirdly, installing and configuring wireless security settings
- Last, of all, implementing public key infrastructure
Fast-forward 4 to schedule the Exam
When you feel prepared to take your CompTIA certification exam, you can schedule it on the Pearson VUE website. Just follow these three simple steps:
1. Create a Pearson VUE testing account
First thing first, you’ll require a Pearson VUE testing account to register for your certification exam and save your testing information with the testing centre.
2. Find a Pearson VUE test centre
For the next step, visit Pearson VUE’s website and find an authorized Pearson VUE test centre near your location to schedule the exam.
3. Schedule your exam
Now, sign in to your Pearson VUE account to find a testing centre. Here you can easily schedule, reschedule or cancel an exam appointment. When scheduling the exam, you can locate and select a nearby authorized testing centre. However, if you are unable to schedule your test online, Pearson VUE also allows scheduling via phone or via contacting your testing centre directly.
4. Save your exam appointment confirmation
Once you’ve booked your exam, you’ll get an email confirming your registration and providing details you might need to share with the testing center.
Try Lucky Seven
When getting ready for a certification or exam, it’s important to know where to start. That’s why at testpreptraining, we’ve put together a list of learning resources to help you ace the certification exam with great success.
Step 1: E-learning
Using eLearning, you can study wherever and whenever you want. It offers all the exam topics through learning material enriched with videos, flashcards, and hands-on questions. It also includes a practice test to help you prepare.
Step 2: Virtual Labs
With Virtual labs, you can supercharge your certification training with hands-on, browser-based virtual lab environments. Along with this, the candidate will be able to complete basic to advanced responsibilities and quickly grasp the impact of the system changes.
Step 3: Exam Prep with CertMaster Practice
You may not be familiar with CertMaster Practice. This is an adaptive online companion instrument that evaluates your understanding and helps you create CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) study notes. CertMaster Practice for Project+ reinforces strong areas and fill all the knowledge gaps in weak areas. This in turns makes you more prepared as well as confident when you go for the Security+ certification exam. So, make sure to go with this.
Step 4: Study Guides
We all have worked with study guides at least once in our life. And, we all agree they are very a very helpful learning resource while preparation of the exam. So, if you’re among those pupils who favour traditional textbook style learning, then Official CompTIA Content books is the one or you. Not only, are these packed with informative and accessible content but also, incorporates all Security+ exam objectives. The Official CompTIA Security+ Study Guide can assist you to prepare for your CompTIA certification exam with assurance.
Step 5: Instructor-Led Training
In case you’re looking for in-classroom or live online training, then CompTIA administers best-in-class instructor-led training for both individuals and teams. also, you can attain training among CompTIA’s vast network of Authorized Training Partners.
Step 6: Video Training with ITProTV
CompTIA provides video training as well. For each and every candidate they offer high-level certification training in an interactive, pleasant talk-show style arrangement that grips you.
Step 7: Self-Evaluation
Lastly, we’ve reached the final step of preparing for the CompTIA Security+ exam. However, before you begin practicing, ensure that you’ve finished the entire course. It’s important to note that practicing will help you understand your level of skill. Therefore, utilize the top-quality CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) practice exam available to improve your abilities.
Most importantly, self-evaluation will help you understand the areas where you lack. Therefore, we highly suggest practising as much as you can. SO START PRACTICING NOW.
You now have everything you need to learn the material. Therefore, ensure you are equipped for your exam and your career. So, let’s move on to the next section and understand all the job roles you may enjoy after qualifying this particular examination.
Employment Opportunities
While it’s not a necessity for a job in IT security to have a certification. However, in most cases, companies prefer applicants to have the CompTIA Security+ certification or something alike before they even consider hiring them. A lot of employers use the certification as a benchmark to prioritize candidates in accordance. On one hand, a candidate’s education, work expertise, and skills are valuable and important. But, on the other hand, certification serves as evidence of his/her knowledge and abilities.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) cetification covers the specific skill that prepares IT, professionals, to enjoy the following job roles-
- First of all, Systems Administrator
- Secondly, Network Administrator
- Thirdly, Security Administrator
- Also, Security Specialist
- In addition, Security Engineer
- Furthermore, Junior IT Auditor/ Penetration Tester
- Lastly, Security Consultant
To sum up, entering the field of project management might not be easy, but obtaining the CompTIA Security+ certification can be a great way to start.
Make your resume stand out and become a Certified CompTIA Security+ Professional. Try free practice tests here!
