CompTIA Security Plus Exam Objectives Decoded: What to Study and How to Succeed

Ever read through the exam topics and think, “Do I really need to know all of this?” The CompTIA Security Plus exam objectives can feel like a scattered to-do list. They’re important, sure, but hard to sort through when you’re short on time and energy.

One minute you’re reviewing network protocols, the next you’re buried in risk frameworks, and none of it feels connected. That’s where most learners hit a wall. This guide clears the noise by showing you what the exam really tests, which sections carry more weight, and how to study in a way that actually works.

Average CompTIA Security+ Salary Overview

Ever read through the exam topics and think, “Do I really need to know all of this?” The CompTIA Security Plus exam objectives can feel like a scattered to-do list. They’re important, sure, but hard to sort through when you’re short on time and energy.

One minute you’re reviewing network protocols, the next you’re buried in risk frameworks, and none of it feels connected. That’s where most learners hit a wall. This guide clears the noise by showing you what the exam really tests, which sections carry more weight, and how to study in a way that actually works.

Understanding CompTIA Security+ Exam Structure

If you're starting your study plan now, focus on SY0-701. The SY0-601 officially retired on July 31, 2024, and all current exams now follow the updated format.

Overview of exam format

The SY0-701 version of the Security+ certification exam is a computer-based test consisting of up to 90 questions in various formats. This newer version reflects updated CompTIA Security Plus exam objectives, placing more focus on governance, risk, and zero trust frameworks. 

Time Allocation and Question Types

Expect to work fast. You’ll have 90 minutes for the full exam. That means about a minute per question. The format is non-adaptive, so you can review and revise your answers at any time during the test.

Performance-based tasks often show up early. Since they involve multiple steps, like analyzing a log or simulating a threat response, it’s smart to answer the easier multiple-choice questions first, then go back.

TAKE NOTE: Unanswered questions count as wrong, so it’s better to make an educated guess than leave anything blank.

Passing Score Requirements

To pass, you need a score of 750 out of 900. That’s around 83%, though CompTIA doesn’t release exact scoring formulas. It’s best to aim higher to account for potential weighting across question types.

If you hit the mark, you’ll get the official certification, which stays valid for three years and can be renewed by earning CEUs or passing a newer version down the line.

Key Domains and Weightings

The CompTIA Security Plus exam objectives are split into five domains. Each one makes up a percentage of the total exam score.

Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities (24%)

This domain teaches you how to identify and respond to common threats. You’ll learn about:

• Malware types and social engineering tactics
• Recon methods like OSINT
• Indicators of compromise and threat-hunting techniques

Recognizing attack patterns under pressure builds real-world judgment, and that’s exactly what this section tests.

Architecture and Design (21%)

This domain focuses on secure systems and cloud models. It includes:

• Zero trust, secure baselines, and redundancy planning
• IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and emerging models like SASE and SD-WAN
• Design controls tied to availability, integrity, and confidentiality

Design questions often test how well you match controls to business goals, and not just definitions.

Implementation (25%)

Here you’ll apply the tools needed to protect systems. Expect questions on:

• Host hardening and secure protocol setup
• Identity policies like MFA and conditional access
• Wireless protections like WPA3 and mobile device controls

Practical experience goes a long way here. And for sure, hands-on labs can make you understand these concepts faster.

Operations and Incident Response (16%)

This section checks your ability to detect and respond to issues. You’ll cover:

• SIEM dashboards and log formats
• Forensic steps like capturing volatile memory
• Containment, eradication, and playbook automation using SOAR

For this part, you’ll earn points for being quick and methodical while under pressure.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (14%)

This final domain covers policies and frameworks that tie your actions to leadership oversight. It includes:

• NIST SP 800-53 and organizational risk models
• Roles like privacy officers and audit strategies
• Legal docs such as SLAs, MOUs, and BPAs

Understanding how these support accountability helps you apply the five pillars of information security in a business context.

Breaking Down CompTIA Security Plus Exam Objectives

The Security+ exam covers a wide range of topics, but they’re all rooted in practical, job-ready skills. 

Identifying and Mitigating Security Threats

You’ll start with attack awareness. This includes:

• Spotting phishing, malware, or insider threats
• Reading indicators of compromise like suspicious traffic or unusual file changes
• Classifying threats by type and source

Being skilled in threat identification and mitigation is crucial because cyber attacks are rampant and evolving. This objective helps you think like an attacker but act like a defender, which is exactly what organizations expect.

Implementing Secure Network Architectures

This section trains you to build networks that hold up under pressure. You’ll work with:

• Network segmentation, VLANs, and DMZs
• Protocols like HTTPS, SSH, and VPNs
• Hybrid cloud layouts and zero trust principles

Security+ now emphasizes hybrid network architectures, with a big emerging theme being the Zero Trust model, which basically says, “Trust no one, verify everything.”

Managing Access Control and Identity

Security+ covers core Identity and Access Management (IAM) skills:

• Authentication methods (MFA, biometrics, smart cards)
• Access models like RBAC and ABAC
• Policies for least privilege and account auditing

Many breaches happen because of compromised credentials or poorly managed access. The good news is that applying strong access controls helps a lot. According to Microsoft’s research, an account is 99.9% less likely to be compromised if MFA is enabled. 

Conducting Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Scans

Risk and vulnerability management focuses on:

• Identifying assets, threats, and exposure
• Scanning for weak spots like open ports or missing patches
• Interpreting scan results and planning remediation

Understanding when to scan versus when to test also supports broader risk management frameworks that guide compliance.

Applying Cryptographic Techniques

You’ll study how to protect data with tools like:

• Symmetric (AES) and asymmetric (RSA, ECC) encryption
• TLS for data in transit, full-disk for data at rest
• Hashing (SHA-256) and PKI for signatures and trust

With 95% of network traffic now encrypted, this section helps you apply crypto where it counts without getting lost in the math.

Responding to Security Incidents

This objective teaches you how to handle real-time attacks. It includes:

• The incident response cycle: prepare, identify, contain, eradicate, recover, review
• Roles in an IR team and basics of digital forensics
• Preserving evidence and following the chain of custody

Fast response cuts costs. In fact, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 hit an all-time high of $4.45 million.

SY0-601 vs SY0-701: What's Changing?

CompTIA updates its exams to reflect how the security field evolves, and that’s exactly what the move from SY0-601 to SY0-701 is about. So what has changed?

Key Differences Between Versions

SY0-701 keeps five domains but reorganizes and simplifies the structure. It removes “Implementation” as a domain title and blends it into “Architecture” and “Operations.” Objectives drop from 37 to 28.

The biggest shifts include:

• Governance increasing to 20%
• Less focus on legacy protocols
• More emphasis on supply chain risks, automation, and zero trust

The changes make the Security Plus 701 exam objectives tighter, more relevant, and easier to align with job roles.

New Topics and Emerging Technologies

Version 701 introduces newer trends that now show up in job descriptions. You’ll see:

• Secure-by-design concepts and SBOM awareness
• SASE, software-defined perimeters, and quantum-safe crypto
• Broader IoT coverage, including firmware checks and device constraints

These topics highlight the shift toward prevention and modern infrastructure.

Transition Timeline and Exam Availability

Here’s how the transition played out:

• Nov 7, 2023: SY0-701 launched
• Nov 2023–Jul 2024: Both SY0-601 and SY0-701 were available
• Jul 31, 2024: SY0-601 officially retired in English
• Post-July 2024: SY0-701 became the only English exam offered

Other language versions may follow slightly different timelines.

As of now, all test takers are sitting for SY0-701. If you studied for SY0-601 and missed the window, don’t toss your notes. Much of the content still applies, but take time to review what’s changed so your prep stays current.

These updates reflect the shift in real-world security roles and help keep Security+ aligned with the skills covered in other top cybersecurity certifications.

Practical Skills and Real-World Applications

Aside from answering the questions right, passing the Security+ exam means building real skills. The Security+ certification exam objectives were designed to reflect what security teams do every day, and the exam checks if you can do those tasks under pressure.

Hands-on labs and simulations

Reading isn’t enough. Security+ includes performance-based questions that ask you to analyze logs, configure firewalls, or use CLI tools like netstat.

If you join our Live Online Bootcamp, you’ll build hands-on experience through real-world labs, expert guidance, and live Q&A. Practice key Security+ skills like cryptography, threat detection, and access control with feedback that helps you level up faster.

Aligning Objectives With Industry Best Practices

The CompTIA Security Plus exam objectives reflect what real security teams do. They're mapped to frameworks like NIST SP 800-61 and ISO 27001 and shaped by input from Microsoft, Deloitte, and other major players.

These are the same practices described in security and risk management fundamentals, which many employers expect entry-level analysts to understand. That’s what makes the certification both job-relevant and credible.

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Security+ helps turn knowledge into action. Try this: if you're studying SQL injection, test it in a safe lab. If you're learning encryption, use a tool to try it. Apply what you learn in real tasks, even small ones, like updating a policy or scanning a device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ready to Study Smarter, Not Just Harder?

Once the CompTIA Security Plus exam objectives start making sense, the real challenge is staying on track without burning out. If you're preparing for the Security+ exam, our 5-day intensive bootcamp is exactly what you need.

It’s straight to the point, and designed to help you focus on the parts you actually need to work on. You’ll get practical examples, question walkthroughs, and expert guidance when you need it.

If you're just starting out or want to learn more about what the Security+ certification can do for your career, our certification guide gives you a clear look at what the cert covers, why it’s in demand, and how to get started the right way.

You don’t have to figure this out alone or jump between random resources. At Destination Certification, we keep it simple. We equip you with the tools and guidance so you can step into exam day knowing you’re ready.