How to Master Security Plus 701 Objectives: Your Ultimate Exam Prep Guide

Preparing for the Security+ exam can feel like a lot to manage, especially when it’s unclear which topics will actually appear. You’ve probably asked yourself if you're studying the right material or wasting time on outdated content.

The Security Plus 701 objectives aren’t just a rebrand of the old exam. They reflect how the cybersecurity field is changing, with more focus on real-world application and less on trivia. Understanding what’s included (and what’s been removed) gives you a real advantage, but only if you know how to work through the changes.

This guide walks you through the new structure, highlights what’s worth your time, and helps you create a study approach that’s focused, manageable, and based on what the exam really tests.

Understanding the Security+ SY0-701 Exam Structure

Getting how the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam works makes your study time worthwhile and helps keep your nerves in check. It’s one thing to know the material, but being able to use it when the pressure’s on? That’s the real test. 

Exam Code and Format

SY0-701 is the current Security+ exam, launched on November 7, 2023. It includes multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs) that test your ability to apply core security concepts.

Here’s what to expect. You’ll get a maximum of 90 questions and have 90 minutes to finish them. Some exams present fewer than 90, but it’s best to prep as if you’ll get the full set. To pass, you need to get a score of 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 to pass (about 83%). CompTIA uses scaled scoring, so questions carry different weights based on difficulty.

Exam Domains and Weightings

The exam is broken into five domains:

• General Security Concepts (12%). Basic principles like access controls and cryptographic fundamentals
• Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%). Includes malware, phishing, and social engineering tactics, plus how to defend against them
• Security Architecture (18%). Covers secure system design and network segmentation
• Security Operations (28%). Daily tasks like monitoring, log review, and incident response
• Security Program Management and Oversight (20%). Focuses on governance, policies, and compliance

Focus your study time accordingly, but don’t brush off the smaller sections. Every point still counts toward your final score.

Key Domains in the Security+ SY0-701 Exam

Now let’s take a closer look at the five domains. This will help you stay sharp and know exactly which Security Plus 701 objectives to study.

General Security Concepts

This domain builds your foundation in cybersecurity. It introduces core ideas that tie everything else together and shows how those ideas shape policies, tools, and decision-making.

Key areas include:

• The CIA triad: confidentiality, integrity, and availability
• Risk management concepts and their role in business operations
• Security policies, governance models, and compliance obligations
• Common types of security controls, such as preventive, detective, corrective
• Cryptographic basics, including hashing, encryption, digital signatures
• Authentication, like multifactor, single sign-on, federated identity
• Access control models, such as discretionary, mandatory, role-based
• Legal and regulatory issues that impact security operations

You’ll see this domain pop up in several exam scenarios. It covers the terms and reasoning behind security decisions, so treat it as your foundation and not just background reading.

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations

This domain focuses on spotting threats and knowing how to respond. It’s less about memorizing threats and more about recognizing patterns.

Key areas include:

• Malware types: viruses, worms, ransomware, trojans
• Social engineering: phishing, vishing, pretexting, impersonation
• Network-based attacks: denial-of-service, spoofing, replay attacks
• System vulnerabilities: weak configs, unpatched software, open ports
• Detection: vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, baselines
• Mitigation: endpoint protection, firewalls, IDS/IPS, least privilege
• Secure coding: input validation, error handling, security reviews
• Incident recognition: indicators of compromise, lateral movement

Many questions ask what went wrong and what you’d do next, so focus on real-world application more than theory.

Security Architecture

This domain focuses on designing systems that can stand up to real threats, whether locally, remotely, or in the cloud.

Key areas include:

• Defense-in-depth strategies and layered security
• Network segmentation and isolation principles
• Secure baseline configurations and hardening methods
• Secure protocols: HTTPS, SSH, IPsec, DNSSEC
• Cloud and virtualization security: containers, hypervisors, shared responsibility
• IAM strategies: multifactor authentication, least privilege, role assignments
• Endpoint security: mobile, laptops, servers, and IoT
• Architecture evaluation: aligning security with business priorities

Many questions will blend these elements into practical scenarios. You’re expected to evaluate trade-offs, select the best option, and justify the setup.

Security Operations

This domain kicks in once the system is up and running. It covers how to monitor activity, respond to incidents, and manage changes that affect security.

Key areas include:

• Security event monitoring and log analysis
• SIEM tools: aggregation, correlation, and alerting
• Incident response: planning, escalation, reporting, and lessons learned
• Threat intelligence: sources, feeds, and applications
• Vulnerability management: scanning, patching, remediation
• Change management and configuration baselines
• Digital forensics basics: evidence handling, timeline analysis
• Continuity planning: backups, disaster recovery, recovery objectives

This is one of the highest-rated domains on the exam, and for good reason. You’ll need to link security tools and tactics to real business impact and how quickly teams can respond.

Security Program Management and Oversight

This domain takes a big-picture view of security. You’ll need to understand how programs are planned, tracked, and improved, and how those efforts support business goals.

Key areas include:

• Governance frameworks: NIST CSF, ISO/IEC 27001
• Regulatory compliance: HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, SOX
• Risk assessment: qualitative and quantitative models
• Security awareness and training programs
• Vendor and third-party risk management
• Supply chain security practices
• Metrics, reporting, and audit processes
• Continuous improvement and strategic alignment

You’ll get questions on justifying budgets, reporting security posture, and checking third-party compliance. It tests your ability to think like a security leader, even if you’re not managing a team yet.

What's New in the SY0-701 Version?

SY0-701 brings the Security+ exam in line with today’s security environment. It cuts outdated material, focuses on real-world skills, and tightens the scope. Here’s what’s changed.

Major Changes from Previous Versions

SY0-701 cuts about 36% of the objectives from SY0-601, letting you focus on what’s important. The domains got a shake-up too. “Governance, Risk, and Compliance” became “Program Management and Oversight” and now weighs in at 20%. “Security Operations” jumps to 28%, matching what teams deal with day to day.

And take note: the exam retirement date for SY0-601 was July 31, 2024. That makes SY0-701 the only active version moving forward.

New Focus Areas and Technologies

The test brings in the tech shaping today’s threats. Expect questions and scenarios on topics like:

• AI and machine learning
• Quantum computing
• Blockchain and cryptographic impact
• Zero trust architecture
• Hybrid environments (on-prem + cloud)
• IoT and OT security concerns
• Security automation with scripts or SIEM tools

These topics don’t go deep into technical detail, but you’re expected to recognize them and know how they impact security decisions. 

Removed or De-emphasized Topics

Less relevant material was dropped to keep the test focused. Don’t skip these topics, but don’t waste time memorizing trivia:

• Legacy attack types (e.g. bluejacking, bluesnarfing)
• Obsolete hardware or physical security tools
• Highly specific social engineering variants
• Low-level networking concepts moved to advanced certifications

TIP: Focus on understanding the categories and controls. If the exact term isn’t tested, the concept likely is.

How to Prepare for the Security+ SY0-701 Exam

To pass SY0-701, you need a focused, consistent study plan. Here’s how to break it down and focus on what counts.

1. Start with the source. CompTIA’s official objectives give you the full scope of the exam, so use them as your checklist. But if you’re unsure how to pace your prep, a solid study plan guide can help you organize your schedule and build momentum across all domains.
2. Use both a book or guide and a video series. Switching formats helps you absorb the material better, and hearing different explanations can make key points stick.
3. Work on firewall rules, VPNs, and permissions. After each topic, take short quizzes. Midway through, switch to full-length timed exams. Review every miss and focus on weak spots.
4. Build a smart study plan. Start by skimming the objectives and marking what you know vs. what’s new. Build a schedule with daily or weekly study blocks, mixing reading, video, and hands-on work. Break big topics into chunks, take notes, and quiz yourself after each session.

If you’re pressed for time but want to be fully prepared for Security+ in just a week, our 5-day Security+ Bootcamp is the one you need. It covers all SY0-701 domains through practical videos, mind maps, quizzes, flashcards, and expert support. You’ll also get a full year of access to the materials, making it easy to keep reviewing and stay sharp right up to exam day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Lock In Your Security+ Strategy Now

Knowing the CompTIA Security Plus 701 objectives is one thing, but being able to apply them under pressure is another. The exam expects more than just theory, and that’s where focused training makes the difference.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards your Security+ journey, let Destination Certification be your guide. We offer a 5-day intensive bootcamp that covers everything you need to know about the Security Plus 701 exam. You’ll also get a full year of access to course materials after the bootcamp, if you need to review or brush up your knowledge before you take the exam.

Choose Destination Certification and get the structure, support, and strategy that help you stay on track and reach your goal.