The Most Overlooked Security+ Topics That Show Up on the Exam Anyway

Worried about missing something significant while studying for the CompTIA Security+ exam? Many candidates focus on high-profile concepts but overlook equally important topics that appear on the exam. The Security+ SY0-701 exam includes up to 90 questions with a 90-minute time limit. You need a score of at least 750 out of 900 points to pass, about 83%.

Most study guides cover major CompTIA Security+ exam objectives. However, they don't always highlight all the material that shows up on test day. The actual exam content often extends beyond the obvious topics. We'll explore eight frequently overlooked Security+ topics that regularly appear in questions. These topics could make the difference between passing and failing. Practice tests from resources like Crucial Exams help identify these knowledge gaps before your actual exam.

The latest SY0-701 version, launched on November 7, 2023, needs a wide-ranging grasp of security concepts. Let's dive into these often-missed topics to boost your confidence with better preparation.

Why Overlooked Topics Matter on the Security+ Exam

Performance-based questions (PBQs) are the hidden challenge that catches many Security+ candidates off guard. These questions are nothing like multiple-choice. You'll need to solve problems in simulated environments or virtual machines. The real challenge lies in applying security concepts rather than just memorizing them.

How performance-based questions expose knowledge gaps

PBQs show up right at the start of your exam. Each one takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. These questions carry much more weight in your final score than multiple-choice questions. Missing just one PBQ can tank your chances of passing.

PBQs are great at showing where your practical knowledge falls short. You might know all the security theory, but things get tricky when you need to:

• Configure firewall settings in a simulated environment
• Troubleshoot security breaches in a network scenario
• Set up access control lists on virtual systems
• Implement encryption protocols in specific contexts

The CompTIA Security+ exam has three main PBQ formats:

1. Scenario-based questions - You analyze hypothetical security situations like malware outbreaks
2. Simulation questions - You work with virtual security tools such as firewalls or VPNs
3. Drag-and-drop questions - You organize security components or place network elements in correct zones

Each format tests different parts of your practical knowledge and spots weaknesses that multiple-choice questions just can't find. The good news? You might get partial credit for virtual PBQs, just like simulation PBQs.

Managing your time becomes super important with these questions. If you get stuck, mark the question for review and move on. Just remember - you can't come back to virtual PBQs later.

Why domain weightings don't tell the full story

The exam's domain weightings only tell part of the story. The Security Operations domain's 28% weight doesn't show which topics will be PBQs versus multiple-choice questions.

CompTIA updates test content to keep the certification fresh. Topics can become more important between exam updates without changing the official domain weightings.

Many people make the mistake of studying based on domain percentages alone. PBQs often pull from multiple domains at once. You'll need to know how different security areas work together. One PBQ might test both encryption protocols and incident response procedures.

People also think the exam objectives cover everything. Questions sometimes pop up about topics barely mentioned in the objectives. One test-taker saw questions about "consequences of non-compliance" even though study guides barely covered it.

Your best bet? Give equal attention to all exam objectives whatever their domain weighting. Practice lots of performance-based questions that test your practical security skills.

1. Secure Baseline Configurations in Hybrid Environments

Security+ exam performance-based questions often test your knowledge of secure baseline configurations. These configurations establish standardized security requirements throughout your organization. They serve as reference points to deploy systems securely.

Baseline drift in cloud vs on-prem systems

Systems tend to move away from their pre-determined secure state over time - this is baseline drift. Traditional security programs review systems before production but don't track these changes immediately. This creates security gaps as systems grow and change.

On-premises systems experience baseline drift through small changes that add up. Administrators adjust settings, software installations change services, and security patches modify configurations. These small changes can weaken your security over time.

Cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, and GCP face different baseline drift issues. A single administrator can change server configurations, virtual networks, and security groups at once. This combined control means one person could affect the security of the entire environment much faster than traditional systems.

Organizations with both cloud and on-premises systems face an even bigger challenge to keep security consistent. Here's what they should do:

1. Monitor baseline drift on all platforms continuously
2. Create one security baseline that works for private and public clouds
3. Match configurations with trusted frameworks like CIS Benchmarks, NIST, or ISO 27001
4. Write down standards everyone must follow

Microsoft's Security Compliance Toolkit (SCT) provides security baselines for Windows operating systems. These pre-configured settings help secure systems properly. The Security+ exam tests how well you understand these baseline tools and their use in different environments.

Configuration management tools: Ansible, Chef, and SCCM

Several tools help maintain secure baselines in mixed environments:

• Ansible needs only SSH connections and Python libraries to work - most Linux systems already have these. This makes Ansible quick to set up compared to other tools. It uses YAML modules called "playbooks" that don't require Ruby programming knowledge.
• Chef uses a client-server setup with a controlling workstation and client machine agents. Its Ruby-based Domain Specific Language (DSL) offers more options but takes longer to learn. Chef stores configurations in JSON files called "recipes" and works great with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and OpenStack.
• Microsoft SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) works best for Windows systems and comes with some Microsoft 365 packages. It connects well with other Microsoft products but can't manage different platforms like Ansible and Chef can.

The Security+ exam might ask you to pick the right tool for specific needs:

• Quick setup with minimal preparation (Ansible)
• Custom settings using Ruby DSL (Chef)
• Windows-focused management (SCCM)

2. Role-Based vs Attribute-Based Access Control (RBAC vs ABAC)

Access control models are key topics in the CompTIA Security+ exam that many candidates don't study well enough. Questions often test how well you can tell the difference between Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). You'll need to know how to put the right security measures in place for different situations.

RBAC limitations in dynamic environments

RBAC gives permissions based on predefined roles in an organization. The system looks simple to set up at first, but it shows big problems as environments get more complex:

Role explosion happens when organizations need to create more and more specialized roles to handle different access needs. What starts as a simple system can quickly grow into hundreds or thousands of roles. This makes the system very hard to manage. Gartner points out that this growth creates administrative headaches that take away RBAC's original simplicity.

Context blindness is another big problem with RBAC. The traditional RBAC system can't handle:

• Time-based restrictions (working hours vs. after hours)
• Location awareness (office access vs. remote access)
• Device security posture
• Network conditions

This system doesn't adapt well to changing situations, which creates security gaps in today's dynamic environments. Companies that use only RBAC face a tough choice: give too much access and risk security, or give too little access and hurt productivity.

RBAC also doesn't deal very well with temporary access needs and detailed control requirements. Take a banking app where permissions change based on transaction amounts or customer relationships – RBAC by itself can't handle these detailed scenarios that often show up in Security+ exam questions.

ABAC use cases in Zero Trust architectures

Zero Trust architectures work perfectly with ABAC implementation because they don't automatically trust anyone based on network location. Instead of just asking "what role does this user have?", ABAC looks at multiple factors:

• User attributes (department, clearance level)
• Resource attributes (classification, owner)
• Environmental attributes (time, location, device health)
• Action attributes (read, write, execute)

This multi-factor check makes ABAC perfect for Zero Trust systems where you need constant verification. The Department of Defense sees this connection and includes ABAC requirements in their Identity, Credentials, Access Management (ICAM) strategy and Zero Trust Implementation plans.

Gartner thought that "by 2020, 70% of enterprises would use attribute-based access control as their main way to protect critical assets." But adoption has been slower, with "today less than 5%" implementation. Security professionals need to understand both models because of this gap between prediction and reality.

ABAC shines when you need detailed permissions based on context. A healthcare professional's access to patient records might change based on:

• Their relationship to the patient
• Current department location
• Time of day
• Emergency status

Most organizations use a mix of both approaches. They combine RBAC's simplicity with ABAC's flexibility. One expert puts it this way: "RBAC establishes the broad capability: who can be an editor, viewer, or admin. ABAC adds the precision: which environments, which resources, and under what conditions those permissions can actually be used".

The Security+ exam focuses on matching the right model to specific security requirements rather than just defining each approach. Keep this in mind when you answer questions about access control.

3. Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) in Architecture Domain

Supply chain vulnerabilities have become a major focus in the Security+ exam, often surprising test-takers. Scenario-based questions will test your knowledge about risks in hardware procurement, software development, and third-party relationships.

Firmware validation and SBOM awareness

Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) are vital inventory lists that track all components in software applications. A Synopsys 2022 report shows that 97% of codebases have open source software. This makes transparent tracking a must. The report also revealed that 81% of codebases had at least one known open source vulnerability.

Your understanding of firmware validation matters even more since 85% of audited code bases had open-source software that wasn't updated for over 4 years. This fact shows up regularly in Security+ questions about supply chain vulnerabilities.

Security+ candidates should know these key benefits of SBOMs:

• Early vulnerability identification, cuts down exposure time after finding a vulnerability
• Licensing compliance management, makes sure attribution and legal use are proper
• Technical debt visibility, shows which components need updates
• Enhanced patch management, helps respond faster to security threats

SBOMs connect security requirements with real-world implementation. A Department of Defense document states that "SBOMs and SBOM management tools play a part in enforcing the requirement to make software secure by design". The Security+ exam tests how well you understand this link between documentation and security implementation.

Third-party risk assessment frameworks

Third-party risk assessment frameworks help organizations manage external vendor risks systematically. The exam tests this knowledge through scenarios where you'll need to choose the right vendor management strategies.

The Shared Assessments Program's Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) Framework splits risk management into two main areas: Fundamentals and Processes. Organizations use this framework to identify prerequisites and process factors when building a TPRM program. This knowledge directly applies to Security+ performance-based questions.

NIST 800-161 is another framework you'll see on the exam. It breaks down supply chain risk management into four phases: frame, assess, respond, and recover. The framework has 19 control families that cover everything from awareness training to system acquisition.

The exam will test how well you can pick risk management strategies for specific scenarios. To name just one example, you might need to identify what belongs in a third-party risk assessment:

1. Document the policies addressing security, integrity, and quality
2. Identify which internal systems rely on critical information or functions
3. Understand upstream suppliers as part of the supply chain ecosystem
4. Verify suppliers maintain adequate security culture and SCRM program

The exam goes beyond theory and presents scenarios where you'll need to spot the right actions to reduce third-party risks:

• Make purchases only through reputable sellers who control their supply chains
• Purchase through third parties to shield the organization's identity
• Review hardware for anomalies
• Use automated software testing and code reviews

So, a solid grasp of these frameworks and their real-world applications is key to passing the exam. Many challenging Security+ questions focus on how documentation requirements work with actual security implementation.

4. Digital Forensics and Chain of Custody in Incident Response

Many candidates don't prepare well enough for digital forensics, a common topic on the CompTIA Security+ exam. The performance-based questions test how well you know proper evidence handling procedures during incident response situations.

Volatile memory capture and preservation

RAM contains vital evidence that never touches the disk and disappears when power is lost. This data lives only in the computer's high-speed working space where active processes, decrypted data, and live system state exist. The "order of volatility" stands as a vital concept that shows up on the Security+ exam - you need to understand which evidence to capture first:

1. CPU registers and cache
2. RAM content
3. Disk storage
4. System logs
5. Backups and archival media

Memory acquisition needs specialized tools that run at the highest privilege level. Tools like Belkasoft Live RAM Capturer, FTK Imager, and WinPmem create forensically sound memory dumps in .raw or .mem formats. These memory captures can expose hidden processes, network connections, encryption keys, and injected malware code that might not exist anywhere else.

The Security+ exam evaluates your grasp of best practices during acquisition:

• Avoid launching new applications that might overwrite evidence
• Run acquisition tools from external media like USB drives
• Capture full memory when possible

Generating and documenting hash values (both MD5 and SHA256) proves vital after acquiring memory to verify evidence integrity. This verification step shows up on Security+ practice tests as a significant procedure after evidence collection.

Chain of custody documentation in legal contexts

Chain of custody represents chronological documentation that shows the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical and electronic evidence. This documentation builds legal integrity by preventing evidence substitution, tampering, or falsification.

Courts may exclude evidence from trial or give it less weight without proof of an intact chain of custody. The Security+ exam typically asks questions about documenting "who, what, when, and how" for each evidence acquisition.

A well-managed chain of custody should address:

• Who collected the evidence
• Where and when it was collected
• Who secured it
• Who had control or possession
• How it was stored
• When it was retrieved and returned to storage

You might see scenarios on the exam that ask you to identify proper documentation methods. To cite an instance, questions might ask about required information on evidence tags or procedures that preserve digital evidence's admissibility in court proceedings.

Security+ questions emphasize practices that protect evidence integrity, such as:

• Using write blockers during acquisition
• Documenting hash values to verify nothing changed
• Creating working copies instead of using source evidence
• Limiting access to authorized personnel

5. Secure Coding Practices and Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

The CompTIA Security+ exam regularly tests secure coding knowledge through multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Many candidates don't give enough attention to these sections. Your success in the exam depends on learning how vulnerabilities creep into code and ways to prevent them during development.

Common coding flaws: buffer overflows, injection attacks

Buffer overflow vulnerabilities happen when programs write excess data into memory buffers. This security flaw can crash applications, corrupt data, or enable attackers to run malicious code. C/C++ applications are particularly vulnerable because they don't have built-in protection against buffer overflows.

Developers create buffer overflows by using unsafe functions like strcpy() or gets() that skip bounds checking. Here's an example of vulnerable code:

• char buf[BUFSIZE];
• gets(buf); // No limit on data read - potential overflow

The exam tests your knowledge about scenarios where:

• Programs manipulate memory without checks
• External data controls application behavior
• Complex code makes behavior prediction difficult

SQL injection attacks occur when malicious users bypass input checks to insert their commands. Developers can stop these attacks by using parameterized queries and stored procedures.

DevSecOps integration in CI/CD pipelines

DevSecOps practices embed security throughout the CI/CD pipeline. Security moves "left" in the development process. This approach costs less than finding problems during late testing or after release. Early vulnerability detection reduces fix costs.

Security testing happens at several points in the CI/CD pipeline:

1. Pre-commit stage: SAST (Static Application Security Testing) scans source code before compilation and gives quick feedback
2. Build phase: SCA (Software Composition Analysis) finds vulnerabilities in third-party libraries
3. Test stage: DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) spots runtime vulnerabilities like insecure APIs
4. Deployment: Container and infrastructure scanning checks security settings

Organizations see real benefits from DevSecOps in their CI/CD pipelines. Reports show fewer critical vulnerabilities and faster fix times after implementation.

6. Mobile Device Management (MDM) and BYOD Security

Mobile security plays a significant role in the CompTIA Security+ exam. Many candidates don't realize its technical complexities. The exam evaluates your theoretical knowledge and how you apply mobile device safeguards in real-life settings.

WPA3, containerization, and remote wipe policies

Containerization creates separate workspaces on mobile devices and isolates corporate data from personal information. System administrators can manage business resources without touching users' private content. Android shows containerization as a Work Profile with distinctive briefcase icons. iOS takes a different approach by using managed apps and data.

Containerization provides these key benefits:

• Separate encryption for corporate data
• Network isolation through per-app VPN
• Identity verification and compliance checks
• Restricted data movement between containers

Remote wipe features protect devices that go missing. A report from Fiberlink Communications shows 81,000 devices were wiped during the first half of 2014. Remote wipe needs both power and network connectivity. Quick reporting of lost devices becomes vital for this reason.

Modern MDM solutions give you flexible wiping options:

• Full device erasure (factory reset)
• Enterprise-only wipe (preserving personal data)
• KeepAlive automatic wiping when devices fail to check in

Companies with BYOD policies should clearly explain these capabilities. Research shows 15% of mobile workers think they have minimal responsibility to protect company data on their devices.

Mobile threat defense (MTD) tools

Mobile Threat Defense goes beyond traditional MDM by detecting and responding to mobile-specific threats. BYOD arrangements create higher risks because devices often lack enterprise-grade security measures.

MTD tools guard against these mobile threats:

• Phishing attacks via email, texts or social media
• Malware and ransomware infections
• Risks from unsecured WiFi networks
• Malicious applications and jailbreaking exploits

MDM controls device configurations while MTD focuses on threat detection and prevention. Good MTD solutions should include immediate monitoring, automated responses, and complete visibility of all mobile assets.

Mobile security requires a balance between organizational control and user privacy. The Security+ exam tests this understanding through scenario-based questions.

7. Cryptographic Key Management and Lifecycle

Many students overlook cryptographic key management on the Security+ exam. The security of encrypted data depends on proper management throughout its lifecycle.

Key rotation, escrow, and revocation

The lifecycle of key management has six vital phases: generation, distribution, storage, rotation, revocation, and destruction. Regular key rotation reduces exposure risks by changing keys based on defined cryptoperiods. Different keys need different rotation schedules:

• Master keys (KEKs): The rotation happens every 1-3 years because they protect other keys
• Data encryption keys (DEKs): The rotation occurs per file/transaction or after encrypting specific data volumes
• Session keys: These last only minutes or hours

You can rotate keys in two main ways:

1. Rotate and retire: Old keys get marked for retirement while new keys handle future encryption
2. Re-encryption migration: All existing data gets re-encrypted with new keys

Key escrow lets authorized users recover their access if they lose encryption keys. Remember to escrow only encryption keys - never digital signature keys. Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) provide secure storage that protects keys from physical tampering.

A compromised key can lead to serious problems. Bad actors might access all information that key protected. That's why you need a documented plan to recover from compromises.

TLS certificate pinning and expiration handling

Certificate pinning makes connections more secure. Clients trust only specific certificates instead of any certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority. This extra check helps stop man-in-the-middle attacks.

Expired certificates create problems with pinning. Apps using pinned certificates might stop working until they get updates with new certificates. Here are some ways to handle this:

• Add multiple certificates to the app's pin list
• Pin the public key instead of the certificate - this lets you renew certificates with the same key pair
• Update applications before certificates expire

Questions in practice tests often ask about picking the right key management strategies and handling certificates properly.

8. Governance Frameworks: NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001

Security+ exam candidates often struggle with governance frameworks, despite their frequent appearance on the test. NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 set significant security requirements that show up regularly in scenario questions.

Mapping exam objectives to ground compliance

NIST SP 800-53 serves as a security control catalog for federal agencies and organizations that handle U.S. government data. The framework has approximately 1,150 controls spread across 20 control families. ISO 27001, on the other hand, provides an internationally recognized standard to establish and maintain an Information Security Management System (ISMS) with 93 controls in 4 categories.

These frameworks connect directly to exam objectives through threat modeling artifacts. Data flow diagrams from threat modeling support ISO 27001's Annex A.8 (Asset Management) requirements. System threat profiles meet NIST SP 800-53's RA-3 and RA-5 requirements.

How these frameworks appear in scenario-based questions

Scenario questions challenge you to determine which framework best addresses specific compliance needs. You might see questions about:

• Benefits of compliance (securing government contracts, implementing risk management)
• Consequences of non-compliance (exposure to cyber-attacks, regulatory penalties)
• Framework mapping (which controls address specific security requirements)

Conclusion

Eight commonly overlooked topics show up regularly on the CompTIA Security+ exam. The test evaluates both theory and practical skills through challenging performance-based questions.

You need to learn about secure baseline configurations in hybrid environments to tackle questions about drift management and configuration tools like Ansible, Chef, and SCCM. You should also know how to separate RBAC and ABAC access control models to answer scenario-based questions about implementing security measures.

Supply chain risk management has become a vital part of the exam, especially when you have firmware validation, SBOM awareness, and third-party risk assessment frameworks. Digital forensics questions often test what you know about volatile memory capture and proper chain of custody procedures.

Many candidates don't realize how often secure coding practices appear throughout the software development lifecycle questions. You need to learn about buffer overflows, injection attacks, and DevSecOps integration into CI/CD pipelines to pass the exam.

Mobile device security is another vital exam topic. Questions about containerization, remote wipe policies, and Mobile Threat Defense tools test what you know about protecting corporate data on personal devices.

Questions about cryptographic key management evaluate what you know about key rotation, escrow, revocation, and TLS certificate handling, topics many candidates don't study well enough. The exam also includes governance frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 in scenarios where you match frameworks to specific compliance needs.

So you really need to practice these overlooked topics. Crucial Exams CompTIA practice tests are a great way to get help with these knowledge gaps through performance-based scenarios that mirror actual exam conditions. Once you become skilled at these eight areas and standard exam objectives, you'll feel more confident about getting your Security+ certification.