What is security+ certification?

Overview

Security+ certification is an entry-level cybersecurity certificate maintained and offered by CompTIA. The certificate focuses on core cybersecurity skills and knowledge required by security and network administrators. The certificate covers fundamental security concepts comprehensively. 

It equips candidates with all the basic knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. Further, it verifies the candidates’ capabilities on assessing security posture of an enterprise’s environment and implementing appropriate security measures.

Security+ Certification Requirements

Most organizations usually demand at least Security+ designation for information security positions. It is one of the most common and sought-after cybersecurity certificates in the industry. Because, it is vendor-agnostic certificate and tests unbiased understanding of information security.

Professionals with this designation will have involvements in all system and network administration related security in organizations. Moreover, credential holders will be able to comfortably specialize in one or more of the vendor-specific certificates afterwards.

Candidates will understand basic and common security traits likewise attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities. The exam further covers security architectures design and implementation, GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance), incident response procedures and related areas.

The exam comprises the following five domains and will cost you around $381 at the time of writing this item.

• Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities (24%)
• Architecture and Design (21%)
• Implementation (25%)
• Operations and Incident Response (16%)
• Governance, Risk and Compliance (14%)

Candidates can read the official exam outline for further information on the exam.

Security+ certification exam is performance-based which literally means that it combines standard multiple choice questions with interactive question formats. In other words, you may find multiple choice, fill in the blank, drag and drop, and image based questions in the exam.

You will have 90 minutes to finish the exam. Depending on your performance, you may be asked up to 90 questions. Candidates must minimally gain a passing mark of 750 out of 900 points.

Security+ certification exam is administered at Pearson VUE authorized test centers or via remote online proctoring. The certificate is valid for three years and Security+ certified are expected to collect at least 60 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) in three years.