CompTIA Security+ Test Breakdown: What's Actually on the SY0-701 Exam

The CompTIA Security+ certification has become a respected credential, with over 700,000 industry professionals worldwide holding it. This comptia security+ test breakdown will help you prepare for one of the most valued entry-level security certifications in IT. Security+ stands out as the first security certification IT professionals should earn, becoming a vital foundation for your cybersecurity career.

Six major domains make up the security+ exam objectives, each focusing on key security concepts and practices. You'll face up to 90 questions during the 90-minute SY0-701 certification exam. The passing score requirement is 750 out of 900 - a challenging target that you can reach with good preparation.

The comptia security+ exam covers several critical areas. These include threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities; identity and access management; technologies and tools; risk management; architecture and design; and cryptography and PKI. Data breach costs hit a record $4.45 million in 2023, which explains why 13% of cybersecurity positions now require certification for applications.

This certification can boost your career prospects substantially. U.S.-based Security+ certified professionals earn around $71,689 on average, and 82,494 jobs currently seek candidates with this qualification. Let's take a closer look at each exam domain, explore recent changes from the previous version, and share proven study strategies. We'll also discuss quality practice tests from Crucial Exams that mirror the actual testing experience.

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Exam Format and Scoring

The SY0-701 exam gives you a balanced picture of your security knowledge through a well-laid-out format. Taking effect from November 7, 2023, this certification exam uses CompTIA's standard testing approach with specific parameters you need to know before taking the test.

Maximum 90 Questions in 90 Minutes

Your time management skills play a vital role in the CompTIA Security+ exam. The test gives you 90 minutes to answer up to 90 questions, about a minute for each question. This tight timing means you need smart pacing. Some versions might have fewer questions, but you should prepare for all 90.

You'll see a timer on your screen to track your progress. The system shows a review screen before final submission so you can check flagged or skipped questions. The strict timing makes it smart to practice full-length tests. This builds your speed and stamina.

Question Types: Multiple Choice, PBQs, Drag-and-Drop

The SY0-701 exam uses several formats to test both theory and real-life skills:

• Multiple-Choice Questions: These make up most of the exam and can have one or more right answers. They test how well you understand security concepts.
• Performance-Based Questions (PBQs): You'll find these at the start of the exam. They put you in simulated environments to solve security problems. PBQs test how you use knowledge rather than just remember it.
• Drag-and-Drop Activities: These show how well you can match concepts or put steps in the right order.

Professor Messer, a top CompTIA training expert, points out that PBQs need more time than regular multiple-choice questions. Smart time management across different question types leads to success.

Passing Score: 750 out of 900

Security+ uses a scaled scoring system instead of percentages. You need at least 750 points on a scale of 100 to 900 to pass. This score shows your skill level across all exam topics rather than just right answers.

CompTIA uses psychometric analysis to keep scores fair across different versions. Harder questions add more to your final score than easier ones in this weighted system.

You can take the SY0-701 exam in English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, or Thai. Your certification stays valid for three years, and this version should be around until 2026.

The exam covers five key domains with different weights for each area. This setup helps CompTIA get a full picture of your security knowledge across various fields.

Domain 1: General Security Concepts (12%)

Domain 1 of the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam makes up 12% of the test. It covers basic security principles that are the foundations of real-life cybersecurity. This part tests your grasp of core security concepts that shape industry policies and tools.

Security Controls: Preventive, Detective, Corrective

Organizations use security controls as tactical tools to protect their information systems. These controls work together to protect key security principles like confidentiality, integrity, availability, and non-repudiation.

The CompTIA Security+ test checks your knowledge of different control types based on how they're implemented:

• Physical Controls: Protect actual assets through locks, surveillance cameras, and alarms
• Technical/Logical Controls: Guard digital resources with firewalls, encryption, and antivirus software
• Administrative/Managerial Controls: Oversee through policies and risk management practices
• Operational Controls: The team implements these, like security awareness training

The exam puts special focus on how these controls work:

• Preventive Controls work as your first line of defense. They stop security incidents before they happen. Firewalls, access control systems, and encryption are good examples. These active measures block unauthorized access and shrink the attack surface.
• Detective Controls spot and warn organizations after security incidents occur. They can't prevent breaches, but tools like intrusion detection systems, audit logs, and security information and event management (SIEM) systems help teams respond faster.
• Corrective Controls kick in after incidents happen and help get systems back to normal. Data backups, incident response plans, and fixing vulnerabilities are examples of these reactive measures.

You might see these other control types on the exam:

• Deterrent Controls: Make potential attackers think twice
• Compensating Controls: Step in when main controls aren't possible
• Directive Controls: Guide behavior through policies and training

Change Management and Cryptographic Solutions

Change management helps keep systems secure during updates. The SY0-701 exam tests how organizations handle changes to avoid unexpected outages and security risks.

A good change management process follows these steps:

1. Document formal change requests
2. Analyze risks and assess impact
3. Get approval from the change control board
4. Test in sandbox environments
5. Schedule implementation
6. Check after implementation
7. Document what changed

This step-by-step approach creates accountability and keeps systems secure during changes. You might face questions about change approvals or how to undo failed changes.
For cryptographic solutions, the SY0-701 covers these key areas:

• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) creates a framework for secure digital certificates and encryption. It uses public/private key pairs for secure web connections (HTTPS) and digital signatures.
• Encryption keeps data private at many levels - from entire disks to databases. The exam covers both symmetric encryption (one key) and asymmetric encryption (public/private key pairs).
• Hashing and Salting check if data has changed using one-way math functions. Hashing turns data into fixed-length strings, while salting adds random data before hashing to stop dictionary attacks.
• Digital Signatures mix hashing and encryption to prove messages are real and unchanged, which helps with non-repudiation.
• Blockchain Technology uses cryptography to create secure transaction records that can't be changed.

Success on the exam means knowing how these technologies work together and where they fit best. The CompTIA Security+ test breakdown shows cryptography appears in several domains, showing how important it is in modern security.

Domain 2: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks (22%)

Domain 2 makes up 22% of the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certification test, making it the second-largest section. This part of the exam covers modern threats to organizations, how attackers exploit weaknesses, and ways to protect valuable assets.

Common Threat Actors and Motivations

Knowing who might target your systems is vital to plan security properly. The CompTIA Security+ test breakdown points out several types of attackers:

• Nation-state actors work with government money and usually target other countries' infrastructure. They gather secret information, spy on others, or disrupt critical systems using lots of resources and advanced methods.
• Cybercriminals want to make money through ransomware, phishing, and stealing data. They're behind most attacks, and ransomware alone makes up 20% of all malware incidents.
• Hacktivists use their technical skills to push political or social causes. They often go after government agencies or big companies to reveal secrets.
• Thrill-seekers break into systems just for fun or to test what they can do. Some don't have advanced skills but use ready-made tools ("script kiddies") to exploit weaknesses.
• Insider threats come from people inside organizations. Sometimes it's just human error, but often it's unhappy employees looking for revenge or money.
• Cyberterrorists carry out attacks based on political or ideological reasons that lead to violence. They sometimes work as proxies for nation-states.

Cybercrime costs keep going up fast. Experts think global losses will hit $12 trillion each year by 2025. Small businesses are becoming easy targets. FBI data shows they lost $6.9 billion to cyberattacks in 2021, 64% more than the year before.

Indicators of Malicious Activity

Security professionals need to spot signs of attacks quickly. Here are the main warning signs:

• Network-based indicators: Strange outbound traffic patterns might mean someone's stealing data, especially when connecting to suspicious locations. Weird DNS requests could show communication with malicious control servers.
• Authentication irregularities: Someone trying to break in might cause many failed logins, especially with fake accounts. Locked accounts and impossible login locations point to stolen credentials.
• System anomalies: Changes in registry or system files usually mean malware has gotten in. Odd process behavior, sudden resource spikes, or missing logs might show attackers covering their tracks.
• Data behaviors: Big jumps in database reads often happen before data theft. Unusually large HTML responses might mean data is being stolen.

Mitigation Techniques for Enterprise Security

The Security+ exam tests you on practical ways to stop threats:

• Network segmentation splits networks into separate parts to stop attackers from moving around. This keeps threats contained and reduces how much damage a breach can do.
• Access controls give users just the permissions they need for their work. Regular reviews help keep security boundaries strong.
• Application allowlisting controls which programs can run, blocking unauthorized or malicious code.
• Patch management fixes known security holes with updates, preferably automatically. Bad actors often attack systems right after patches come out.
• Multifactor authentication makes access much safer by asking for at least two ways to verify identity.
• Continuous monitoring helps catch suspicious behavior early using tools like SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection.

Security awareness training helps with human weaknesses, since people play a role in over 80% of cyber attacks. Staff learn to spot phishing and other tricks through this training.

Practice tests give you real scenarios to test what you know about threat actors, attack signs, and protection strategies, all key parts of what's on the CompTIA Security+ exam.

Domain 3: Security Architecture (18%)

The Security Architecture domain represents 18% of the SY0-701 exam. Your security posture depends heavily on different infrastructure designs. This domain has evolved substantially from the SY0-601 exam with a radical alteration from implementation to architecture. Modern IT environments now place greater emphasis on secure design principles.

Architecture Models: On-Prem, Cloud, Hybrid

The CompTIA security+ test breakdown expresses how architectural models create unique security challenges and advantages. You should know the security implications of multiple deployment scenarios:

• On-premises infrastructure lets you retain control over hardware, software, and security implementations. Organizations with strict compliance requirements, low-latency workloads, or legacy applications that can't easily migrate find this model beneficial. The model requires higher capital expenditure and offers limited scalability compared to cloud options.
• Cloud-native infrastructure operates on a usage-based cost model that scales rapidly. Public cloud services from providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud host resources over the internet on a pay-per-use basis. Security responsibility becomes shared, providers protect the underlying infrastructure while you stay accountable for data protection and access management.

Hybrid cloud architecture creates a flexible IT infrastructure by combining on-premises, private cloud, and public cloud services. Organizations can:

• Keep sensitive workloads on private infrastructure
• Scale dynamically using public cloud resources
• Maintain regulatory compliance while leveraging cloud benefits

Your exam preparation should focus on infrastructure as code (IaC), virtualization, containerization, and serverless computing, all covered in the security+ exam objectives. The test measures your knowledge of security implications across deployment models and your recommendations based on business requirements.

Data Protection Strategies and Resilience Planning

Data protection serves as a vital component of security architecture. It covers classification, securing methods, and governance. The CompTIA security+ test breakdown shows you need to understand:

1. Data classification - Categorizing information based on sensitivity levels from public to highly confidential
2. Data states - Protecting information whether at rest, in transit, or in use through appropriate controls
3. Encryption techniques - Implementing cryptographic solutions to protect confidentiality and integrity across environments
4. Data sovereignty - Addressing legal and compliance requirements for data storage locations

Resilience planning ensures operations continue despite adverse events. It includes high availability configurations, site considerations, and disaster recovery strategies. The exam tests your knowledge of:

• Business continuity - Keeping critical systems running during disruptions
• Redundancy - Implementing failover systems to prevent single points of failure
• Backup strategies - Creating and testing data recovery mechanisms
• Power considerations - Planning for uninterrupted power supply and backup generators

"Defense-in-depth" stands as a key concept, implementing layered security controls protects systems even if one layer fails. You might face scenarios that require you to assess architecture trade-offs between security, cost, and performance.

Neither on-premises nor cloud environments provide inherently better security, proper implementation of security controls appropriate for each architecture makes the difference.

Domain 4: Security Operations (28%)

Security Operations makes up 28% of the SY0-701 exam score. This makes it the largest and most vital focus area you need to master. The domain looks at how to keep systems secure once they're up and running.

Vulnerability Management and Patch Cycles

A systematic approach to security weaknesses breaks down into five key phases:

1. Identification - Finding vulnerabilities in endpoints and applications
2. Analysis - Looking at how severe the weaknesses are
3. Remediation - Fixing issues through patches or configuration changes
4. Validation - Making sure the fixes worked
5. Reporting - Writing up what was done

This ongoing cycle turns random patching into a solid security routine. Your exam prep should focus on rating vulnerabilities with tools like the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). Security teams use this to tackle the worst problems first and manage their resources better.

People often mix up patch management and vulnerability management. These two work together but do different things. Patch management updates systems and apps. Vulnerability management looks for and fixes security holes. You need both working together for good security.

The validation step after fixes is vital. Teams need to check if the fixes worked and didn't create new issues. This usually means scanning systems again to make sure the vulnerabilities are gone.

Security Monitoring Tools: SIEM, IDS/IPS

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems act as your security hub. They watch and respond to security events. A SIEM pulls data from all over your network, links related events, and sends alerts based on set rules.

SIEM's main parts include:

• Log management - Collecting and analyzing data from servers, networks, and apps
• Event correlation - Linking seemingly random activities
• Real-time monitoring - Watching security events as they happen
• Automated response - Taking preset actions when threats show up

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) work alongside SIEMs. The big difference? An IDS watches and warns about suspicious activity in "listen-only" mode. An IPS actively blocks threats as they happen.

These systems come as network-based (NIDS/NIPS) or host-based (HIDS/HIPS) versions. Network versions watch all traffic on the protected network. Host versions guard specific endpoints.

IAM Implementation and Automation Concepts

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the life-blood of modern security operations. The SY0-701 exam focuses on four key IAM parts:

• User provisioning - Setting up and managing user accounts
• Single Sign-On (SSO) - One login for many apps
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) - Using multiple ways to verify users
• Privileged access management - Controlling admin accounts

IAM setup starts with security planning and assessment. Teams then pick the right tools, find data sources, and set up ongoing monitoring. The main goal stays simple: give users what they need while limiting what they can do to reduce risk.

Security operations now rely heavily on automation. The exam tests how you know where automation helps security processes work faster and stay consistent. Good automation needs careful planning to balance speed with security.

Domain 5: Security Program Management and Oversight (20%)

Security Program Management and Oversight makes up 20% of the SY0-701 exam. The focus changes from technical implementations to managing security initiatives strategically. This domain tests how well you understand the way organizations set up, maintain, and enhance their security through governance, third-party relationships, and employee awareness programs.

Governance and Risk Management Frameworks

A solid security governance lays the groundwork for any winning security program. It has guidelines, policies, standards, and procedures that arrange security practices with business goals. Cybersecurity governance blends complete strategies into organizational operations to stop cyber threats from causing disruptions.

Key components of security governance include:

• Accountability frameworks that spell out security responsibilities
• Decision-making hierarchies that set up authority chains for security matters
• Risk identification processes tied to business goals
• Plans to reduce identified vulnerabilities

The exam covers common governance frameworks like NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and ISO/IEC 27001. These frameworks help organizations explain cybersecurity terms in risk management language that executives can grasp.

Risk management on the exam centers on finding, reviewing, and reducing potential threats systematically. Organizations typically keep a risk register to track risks, their owners, and thresholds. They must balance what risks they can handle with what they're willing to take, then develop the right response, transfer, accept, avoid, or reduce, based on business priorities.

Third-Party Risk and Compliance Audits

Third-party risk management (TPRM) finds and reduces risks from outside vendor relationships. Since 63% of data breaches link to third parties, this topic gets lots of attention on the exam.

The test looks at your knowledge of vendor assessment methods, including:

1. Vendor selection processes that review risk exposure
2. Security questionnaires that confirm vendor security practices
3. Contractual agreements like Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
4. Ongoing monitoring of vendor security postures

Security audits prove controls work and check compliance across the security ecosystem. Compliance audits ensure organizations follow specific rules like HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, or GDPR. Risk assessment audits review how security threats might affect the business.

Most organizations use a tiered schedule for security checks:

• Complete audits of critical systems yearly
• Reviews of high-risk areas every quarter
• Automated vulnerability scans monthly

Security Awareness and Training Programs

Security awareness training tackles the human side of cybersecurity. This part of the exam tests how well you can set up training programs that turn employees from security risks into assets.

People send about 3.4 billion phishing emails daily. Teaching staff to spot and report malicious messages is vital. Winning security awareness programs include:

• Phishing simulations to test how employees handle suspicious emails
• Anomalous behavior recognition to spot unusual activities
• Clear user guidance on security policies and best practices
• Incident reporting procedures for suspected security issues

Training should reach everyone, full-time employees, contractors, and third parties who can access organizational data. Good programs mix technical content with hands-on practice, using both classroom sessions and real-life simulations to get staff ready for actual security threats.

Domain 5 tests your strategic thinking about security from a leader's view, even if you don't manage a team yet. You'll need to understand both the technical parts of security programs and the management principles that guide how they work.

SY0-701 vs SY0-601: Key Changes in Exam Objectives

CompTIA made major changes in its update from SY0-601 to SY0-701. These changes show the security industry's evolving priorities. The new version brings changes to content focus and test structure that will shape your preparation strategy.

Reduction from 37 to 28 Objectives

The SY0-701 exam provides a more efficient experience than its predecessor. The exam size dropped by 36%, going from 1034 total objectives to about 662. This reduction makes the certification more focused and easier to manage.

The most striking change is that 70% of the SY0-601 exam objectives are missing from the SY0-701 exam! These basic concepts have been combined or moved to other CompTIA certifications. Students switching between versions will find that 50% of SY0-701 topics match the previous version, which helps preserve their study efforts.

This streamlining doesn't make the exam easier - just more targeted. The SY0-701 adds over 330 new topics that line up with current security practices.

Increased Focus on Zero Trust and Automation

Zero trust architecture gets substantial coverage in the updated exam. This security model requires authentication for all connections and access requests because nothing is automatically trusted. The SY0-701 exam tests your knowledge of key zero trust elements including:

• Adaptive identity verification
• Policy enforcement points
• Security zones
• Continuous validation

Automation has become more prominent in the new objectives. The exam now includes security orchestration, automated incident response, and security automation platforms. This change recognizes that modern security teams need automated processes to handle growing alert volumes.

Governance Domain Weight Increased to 20%

The Security Program Management and Oversight domain (previously Governance, Risk, and Compliance) grew from 14% to 20% of the exam. This increase shows governance structures' growing role in security programs.

The governance updates also include:

1. Greater emphasis on third-party risk management
2. Additional coverage of newer regulatory compliance frameworks
3. More focus on security governance structures and roles

Study Resources and Crucial Exams Practice Test

Quality study materials that match current exam objectives are essential to prepare for the SY0-701 exam. Students can choose from several options based on their learning style and schedule.

Crucial Exams SY0-701 Practice Test Overview

Crucial Exams has a complete practice test package for the Security+ SY0-701 exam with 1,400 questions that match the current exam blueprint. The extensive question bank helps you find knowledge gaps by covering all five domains. The platform gives you two ways to study: Study Mode lets you review questions with explanations at your pace, while custom timed practice tests simulate the actual exam experience. The platform has 9 performance-based questions (PBQs) that work like hands-on exercises similar to the actual exam. You'll also get 374 flashcards in 4 decks to help you learn key concepts.

Bootcamps vs Self-Study: What Works Best

Students who can motivate themselves and stay organized do well with self-study, especially those on tight budgets or with prior knowledge. They can mix YouTube tutorials, Udemy courses, textbooks, and community forums. Bootcamps take a different approach with live classes, expert mentors, hands-on labs, and job placement help. A typical CompTIA Security+ bootcamp runs 40 hours and covers all five domains through live instruction. The cost difference is notable - bootcamps range from $1,200-$3,075 while self-study costs $600-$800 total. Your choice should depend on how you learn best, your available time, and budget.

Using CompTIA CertMaster and Labs Effectively

CompTIA's official CertMaster Practice tool checks what you know through adaptive questions and shows where you need to focus. You get timed practice tests with performance-based questions for all five domains. Browser-based practice labs give you hands-on experience with real equipment. You can set up devices, run security tools, and work through guided exercises without installing extra software. SY0-701 labs come with modules about security concepts, threat mitigation, architecture models, and security operations.

Conclusion

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certification is the foundation you need to start your cybersecurity career. This piece breaks down each exam domain and what to expect during those 90 minutes.

Your foundation starts with General Security Concepts that cover control types and cryptographic solutions. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks help you learn about malicious activities and countermeasures. Security Architecture tests how well you can design safe environments for on-premises, cloud, and hybrid models. Security Operations makes up 28% of the exam and covers daily security practices like vulnerability management and monitoring. Security Program Management shows how well you understand governance frameworks and risk assessment.

The update from SY0-601 to SY0-701 brought major changes. The exam now has 28 objectives instead of 37 and includes new content about zero trust architecture and automation. The governance domain has grown from 14% to 20%, which shows how vital it has become in security programs.

You'll need a score of 750 out of 900 to pass by correctly answering multiple-choice questions and performance-based scenarios. Managing your time is key since you get about a minute per question.

The way you prepare will shape your success. Some people do better in structured bootcamps, while others excel through self-study. Practice tests are a great way to get ready for the exam. Crucial Exams provides 1,400 practice questions that match current exam objectives and help spot knowledge gaps before the big day.

Note that Security+ is more than just another certification, it proves your skills in a field where certified experts earn good money and stay in demand. As cyber threats become more complex, this certification shows your steadfast dedication to protecting vital information systems.

The path might look tough, but with the right study materials and a solid grasp of the test format, you can join over 700,000 Security+ certified professionals worldwide.