Security+ 601 vs. 701: Key Differences Explained

If you're preparing for Security+ certification, you've probably noticed there are two versions floating around: SY0-601 and SY0-701. This isn't just a simple version update—it's causing real confusion for security professionals trying to plan their certification path.

Here's what's happening: CompTIA retired the 601 exam in July 2024, but you'll still find study materials, practice tests, and training courses for both versions. Your organization might even have outdated training materials sitting around. Meanwhile, job postings still reference both versions, and you're left wondering which one actually matters for your career.

We'll break down exactly what changed between these two exams, help you understand which version aligns with your current situation, and give you a clear path forward. Whether you're starting fresh or caught in the middle of your 601 preparation, you'll know exactly what to do next.

Quick Overview: What Changed Between 601 and 701

CompTIA launched Security+ 701 in November 2023 and officially retired 601 in July 2024. If you're wondering why they made this change so quickly, it's because the cybersecurity landscape shifted dramatically in just a few years.

Your organization is likely dealing with threats that barely existed when 601 was created. We're talking about sophisticated supply chain attacks, AI-powered security tools, and cloud architectures that make traditional perimeter security obsolete. The 601 exam simply couldn't keep up with what you're actually facing at work.

The 701 exam isn't just an updated version—it's a complete realignment with modern security challenges. CompTIA added entirely new domains and restructured existing ones to reflect how security professionals actually work today. They removed outdated content that was taking up valuable exam space and replaced it with skills you'll use immediately in your role.

The biggest shift? Moving from theoretical security concepts to practical, hands-on security implementation. If your job involves cloud security, zero trust architecture, or automated threat response, you'll find 701 speaks directly to your daily responsibilities in ways that 601 simply couldn't.

Security+ Exam Objectives Breakdown: What's New in 701

The domain structure tells the whole story. While 601 had five domains, 701 streamlined this to four—but don't think that means less content. CompTIA consolidated related topics and added substantial new material that reflects what you're actually dealing with in modern security roles.

• Domain 1: General Security Concepts now includes zero trust architecture and supply chain security—topics that were barely mentioned in 601. If your organization is implementing zero trust or dealing with third-party vendor risks, you'll find 701 covers exactly what you need to know.
• Domain 2: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations expanded significantly to include AI-powered attacks and automated threat response. The 601 version focused heavily on signature-based detection, but 701 acknowledges that modern threats require behavioral analysis and machine learning approaches.
• Domain 3: Security Architecture is where you'll see the biggest changes. Cloud security design patterns, secure software development practices, and infrastructure as code security weren't adequately covered in 601. Now they make up substantial portions of this domain because that's where most security implementations happen today.
• Domain 4: Security Operations emphasizes automation and orchestration tools. While 601 talked about manual incident response processes, 701 assumes you're working with SOAR platforms and automated playbooks—because that's how effective security teams operate now.

The removed content? Outdated cryptographic algorithms and legacy network protocols that you're unlikely to encounter in modern environments.

Summary Table

Security+ Exam Updates That Matter to You

The domain changes are just the surface level. What really matters is how these updates translate to skills you can actually use in your security role. Let's dive into the specific areas where 701 diverges from 601 and why these changes directly impact your day-to-day work.

Cloud Security

Your organization has likely moved critical systems to the cloud since 601 was released, but that exam barely touched on cloud-specific security controls. The 601 version might mention cloud computing in passing, but 701 dedicates substantial coverage to securing cloud workloads, understanding shared responsibility models, and implementing cloud-native security tools. If you're responsible for AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud environments, 601's generic security principles won't prepare you for the specific challenges you face with cloud misconfigurations and identity management across multiple platforms.

Zero Trust Architecture

While 601 focused on perimeter-based security models, 701 acknowledges that your network perimeter has essentially dissolved. Zero trust isn't just a buzzword in 701—it's a fundamental approach that influences how you design access controls, segment networks, and verify users. If your organization is implementing "never trust, always verify" principles, the 601 content will leave you unprepared for designing and managing these systems.

Supply Chain Security

The 601 exam couldn't anticipate attacks like SolarWinds or Kaseya, but 701 addresses the reality that your organization's security depends heavily on third-party vendors and software supply chains. You'll learn to assess vendor risk, implement software bill of materials (SBOM) practices, and secure development pipelines—skills that are now essential for any security professional.

Automation and Orchestration

Manual security processes that 601 emphasized are becoming obsolete in most organizations. The 701 exam covers SOAR platforms, automated incident response, and security orchestration because that's how modern security teams handle the volume of alerts and threats they face. If you're still manually investigating every security alert, you're already behind where the industry expects you to be.

Updated Compliance Frameworks

The compliance landscape shifted significantly between these exam versions. While 601 focused heavily on older frameworks like SOX and HIPAA implementation details, 701 emphasizes newer regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and emerging AI governance requirements. If your organization operates globally or handles consumer data, you'll find 701's coverage of privacy regulations and data protection requirements much more relevant to your current compliance obligations than 601's dated approach to regulatory requirements.

Security+ 601 vs. 701: Difficulty and Exam Experience Differences

You'll find that 701 doesn't just test different content—it tests your knowledge in a fundamentally different way. The exam experience itself has evolved to better reflect how you actually solve security problems in your role.

Performance-based questions got a major upgrade in 701. While 601 had some simulation-style questions, 701's performance-based questions are more realistic and complex. Instead of configuring a basic firewall rule, you might need to analyze a cloud security posture, design a zero trust network segment, or troubleshoot an automated security workflow. These questions take longer to complete but they actually test skills you'll use at work.

Question complexity increased noticeably in 701. The 601 exam often tested memorization of security concepts and definitions. The 701 version assumes you know the basics and focuses on application and analysis. You'll see more scenario-based questions that require you to evaluate multiple security controls and choose the most appropriate solution for a given business context.

Study time expectations vary significantly between versions. Most candidates report needing 20-30% more preparation time for 701, not because there's more content, but because the content requires deeper understanding. You can't just memorize port numbers and acronyms for 701—you need to understand how different security technologies work together in real environments.

Pass rates and candidate feedback suggest that 701 is more challenging, but also more satisfying for experienced professionals. New candidates find the practical focus helpful because it connects directly to job responsibilities, while those with security experience appreciate that the exam tests relevant skills rather than outdated theoretical knowledge.

Which Security+ Version Should You Choose? 

The choice between 601 and 701 isn't always straightforward, especially if you're already deep into your preparation. Your decision depends on timing, career goals, and how much study time you've already invested. Let's break down the specific scenarios so you can make the right choice for your situation.

If You're Starting Fresh

You don't really have a choice here—701 is your only viable option. Since 601 retired in July 2024, pursuing that certification would be like studying for a test that no longer exists. More importantly, employers expect current certifications, and 601 knowledge won't prepare you for the security challenges you'll face in modern roles. Starting with 701 means you're learning skills that directly apply to today's threat landscape and security technologies.

If You Started Studying 601

This is where it gets tricky. If you're more than halfway through your 601 preparation and scheduled to take the exam before it retired, finishing might have made sense. But now that 601 is retired, you need to transition to 701 materials. The good news? About 60-70% of your 601 knowledge still applies. Focus your additional study time on the new domains we covered earlier—cloud security, zero trust, and automation—rather than starting completely over.

Career Timeline Considerations

Employers increasingly expect familiarity with modern security concepts that 701 covers but 601 doesn't. If you're looking to advance into cloud security, DevSecOps, or security architecture roles, 701 knowledge is essential. The 601 certification might check a compliance box for some organizations, but it won't prepare you for technical interviews or actual job responsibilities in these growing fields.

Cost Implications

Switching from 601 to 701 study materials does involve additional costs, but consider the opportunity cost of outdated knowledge. New 701 study guides, practice exams, and training courses represent an investment in relevant skills. If your organization is paying for certification training, make sure they're funding 701 materials—many companies still have 601 training budgets that need updating.

Study Strategy Differences

The transition from 601 to 701 requires a different study approach because the exam format and content depth have evolved significantly. If you're switching between versions or trying to determine the best preparation method, understanding these strategic differences will save you time and improve your chances of passing.

Security+ 601 vs. 701: Study Strategy Differences

The transition from 601 to 701 requires a different study approach because the exam format and content depth have evolved significantly. If you're switching between versions or trying to determine the best preparation method, understanding these strategic differences will save you time and improve your chances of passing.

What Study Materials Work for Which Version

Your 601 study guides and practice exams won't adequately prepare you for 701's cloud security and zero trust questions. Many candidates fail because they relied on outdated materials that didn't cover the new domains. If you're serious about passing 701, invest in current study resources that cover the updated objectives comprehensively.

How to Transition Your 601 Prep to 701

This doesn't mean starting from scratch, but it does require strategic supplementation. Focus your additional study time on the content gaps: cloud security architecture, zero trust implementation, supply chain risk management, and security automation. These were not emphasized in 601 but make up substantial portions of the 701 exam.

If you're struggling to make this transition effectively, intensive training can help bridge the knowledge gap from 601 to 701. At Destination Certification, we offer an intensive 5-day Security+ bootcamp that focuses entirely on 701 objectives. Our program is particularly effective for professionals who have been preparing for 601 because we concentrate on the modern security concepts and practical implementations that 701 emphasizes—exactly what you need to succeed with the current exam format. You'll get a full year of access to course materials, which means you can reference specific implementation details as you encounter them in your actual work environment.

Resources That Cover Both Effectively

These are rare and often confusing because the two exams serve different purposes in today's security landscape. Most comprehensive training programs have updated entirely to 701 because trying to cover both versions dilutes the focus on skills you actually need for modern security roles.

The few resources that attempt to cover both often end up providing surface-level coverage of 701's new domains while spending too much time on 601's outdated content. You're better off choosing training that's laser-focused on 701's practical applications rather than trying to find a compromise solution that doesn't adequately prepare you for either exam.

Practice Exam Considerations

The performance-based questions require hands-on experience that traditional multiple-choice practice tests can't provide. Look for practice materials that include scenario-based simulations and cloud security labs, not just question banks that test memorization. The 701 exam expects you to analyze security configurations, troubleshoot implementation issues, and design solutions within time constraints.

Standard practice questions that ask you to identify the "best" answer from four options won't prepare you for these interactive scenarios. Seek out practice environments that let you actually configure security tools, analyze network diagrams, and work through incident response procedures. The investment in quality practice materials often makes the difference between passing and failing on your first attempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Next Steps in Security+ Certification

The choice between 601 and 701 is clear: if you're pursuing Security+ certification today, 701 is your path forward. The exam's focus on modern security challenges—cloud architecture, zero trust, and automation—directly aligns with what employers expect from security professionals in 2025.

If you've been preparing for 601, don't view the transition as starting over. You have a solid foundation in security fundamentals. Now you need to build on that foundation with the cloud-native and automation skills that 701 emphasizes. The investment in updated training and materials pays off immediately in job interviews and daily work responsibilities.

The security field moves fast, and staying current with certifications like 701 keeps you relevant in a competitive job market. Whether you're just starting your security career or looking to advance into specialized roles, the practical skills tested in 701 will serve you well beyond just passing the exam.

Ready to make the leap to 701? Check out our next intensive Security+ bootcamp, where we focus entirely on helping professionals master the 701 objectives efficiently. With a full year of material access, you'll be prepared not just to pass the exam, but to immediately apply these skills in your security role.