What is CySA+ Certification?

Exam Overview

CySA+  certification stands for Cybersecurity Analyst and it is intermediate level cybersecurity certificate maintained and offered by CompTIA. And it is a certification that applies behavioral analytics to network systems and devices to prevent, detect and respond to cybersecurity threats. In addition, it is one of the vendor-neutral certificates in the industry.

Cybersecurity professionals who want to engage in continuous analysis of organizational threats and vulnerabilities can earn this exam to prove their capabilities for their employers.

CySA+ Certification Requirements

The certificate will validate security professional’s ability to proactively defend and continuously improve the security posture of an organization. Furthermore, it verifies candidates’ knowledge and skills required to leverage intelligence and threat detection mechanisms. Organizations most often struggle to effectively respond to and recover from incidents that may have crippling effect on its very existence. Therefore, successful candidates will be responsible to identify and address organizational vulnerabilities and suggest preventative countermeasures.

The CySA+ exam consists of  the following five domains. And it will cost you $381 at the time of writing this blog post:

• Threat and vulnerability management (22%)
• Software and Systems Security (18%)
• Security Operations and Monitoring (25%)
• Incident Response (22%)
• Compliance and Assessment (13%)

These domains and their corresponding objectives provide aspirants with foundational knowledge and practical skills required to pass the exam and excel in their professional career.

Candidates can read the official exam outline for further information from the website of the provider.

The CySA+ exam is administered at Pearson VUE authorized test centers or via remote online proctoring mechanisms. It is multiple choice exam and maintains performance-based evaluation. Moreover, it administers scenario based questions. Candidates should complete a maximum of 85 questions within 165 minutes time. It is scale based and exam takers must score at least 750 points from a maximum of 900 points. The certificate is valid for three years and certified cybersecurity analysts should collect at least 60 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) in three years.