CompTIA Security+ Certification

The Security+ certification from CompTIA serves as a validation that a professional understands the ins and outs of cybersecurity operations, especially at the middle level. This qualification path will allow one to boost a cybersecurity career by highlighting the mastery of performing core security functions. These include risk assessment, monitoring hybrid environments, and detecting and responding to security threats. Usually, students pursuing this certificate must demonstrate their competence in handling security operations by acing the SY0-501 exam.

About SY0-501 Exam

The CompTIA SY0-501 exam is directly linked to the Security+ certification and acknowledges a learner’s ability to configure and install systems to secure apps and network devices. Also, it proves that the examinee is adept at analyzing threats and responding with the most accurate mitigation strategies. Note that SY0-501 exam retires on July 31, 2021, and the candidates will be taking the new exam, SY0-601 as a replacement for the current test version.

Revealing the CompTIA SY0-501 Exam Facts

To begin with, the CompTIA SY0-501 exam has 90 questions in performance-based and multiple-choice formats. The applicants will be asked to answer all of them in the time duration of 90 minutes. When it comes to scoring, candidates will be ranked on a scale of 100-900. And only those individuals who score 750 points and above will get the Security+ certificate. Scheduling this test will cost $370 and you can choose to sit for the assessment online or in the testing center. In conclusion, English is not the only language available for this exam. You can also select Japanese, Simplified Chinese, or Portuguese.

Discussing the CompTIA SY0-501 Exam Course Outline

In the next paragraphs, you will learn more about what the CompTIA SY0-501 exam content outline is all about:

Module 1: Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities (21%)

The topic of threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities focuses on the indicators of compromise and the existing malware types, and the similarities and differences between different types of security attacks. Also, it covers the concepts of scanning vulnerability and the possible effects of different vulnerabilities, the features and types of the threat actors, and the concepts associated with penetration testing.

Module 2: Technologies and Tools (22%)

This domain will highlight what learners need to know about the installation and configuration of network components for software and hardware solutions, the knowledge of tools involved in evaluating the security posture of the company, and the steps for troubleshooting issues arising from security operations. What’s more, it involves the interpretation or analysis of the results of security technologies, the secure deployment of mobile devices, and steps for implementing security protocols.

Module 3: Architecture and Design (15%)

This section is meant to cover use cases for best practices and frameworks, check one’s skills in implementing concepts to ensure the security of network architecture, as well as knowledge of the design principles for secure systems. Besides, this domain also covers the deployment concepts for secure staging, the effect of embedded systems on security operations, the concepts of secure app development and deployment, and a ton of cloud as well as virtualization concepts. Finally, it will outline the importance of automation and resiliency strategies in risk mitigation and the role of physical security controls.

Module 4: Identity and Access Management (16%)

This domain can be further broken down into 4 major subtopics. These include the concepts of identity and access management, the installation and configuration of services for identity and access, the implementation of controls in identity and access management, and the basic practices involved in account management.

Module 5: Risk Management (14%)

This chapter of SY0-501 exam syllabus verifies one’s mastery of the procedures, policies, and plans relating to organizational security, the concepts used to analyze the business impact, the processes and concepts used to manage risks, and the steps to follow when responding to incidents. Also, it will validate an understanding of forensic concepts, the concepts that exist in the disaster recovery and continuity of operation, control types, and the performance of data security and privacy practices.

Module 6: Cryptography and PKI (12%)

To conclude, the topic of cryptography and PKI will cover different concepts in cryptography, algorithms of cryptography, wireless security settings, and the public key infrastructure.

Career Opportunities

The CompTIA Security+ certificate can help you obtain any of the following roles:

• Security Consultant

  IT security consultants take pride in assessing software, networks, and computer systems to identify vulnerabilities and design fitting security solutions depending on the company’s demands. These individuals act as the victims and attackers in a bid to exploit network systems, identify the potential weaknesses, and secure them. These professionals are responsible for performing a series of technical tasks most notably malware analysis and penetration testing as well as evaluating the critical technology components where the information could be at the highest risk. On that note, they will be compensated with an average of $87k per year, according to PayScale.

• Systems Administrator

  Typically, a systems administrator’s job description is built around the installation, upgrading, and monitoring of hardware and software. Also, they may participate in tasks involving data recovery and backup. Systems administrators strive to maintain the essential elements such as security tools, email, web servers, LAN, WAN, business applications, and operating systems. And according to PayScale, these individuals earn an average pay of $63k per year depending on the position they hold in the organization.

• Penetration Tester

  A penetration tester “thinks like the attacker” in an attempt to detect system vulnerabilities. These individuals exploit a wide range of strategies that malicious attackers employ when breaching an intact security system. This implies your role will involve performing tests on target computer systems, applications, and networks, creating new methods to identify system weaknesses, and conducting physical assessments of networks and servers. Consequently, you will earn an average annual income of $86k, according to the latest information from PayScale.com.

Career Path

CompTIA certifications referring to security filed starts from Security+. Though, professionals always have an opportunity to advance their skills and get higher on their career ladder. So, after getting the Security+ certificate, you may opt for the following options:

• CompTIA CySA+
• CompTIA PenTest+
• CompTIA CASP+