How to Get CompTIA Security+ Certification: A Step‑by‑Step Roadmap

You tell yourself you’ll start studying after work, but the laptop stays closed. Between projects, deadlines, and sheer exhaustion, exam preparation keeps slipping to “tomorrow.” Many IT professionals hit this same wall: motivated to move into cybersecurity, yet unsure how to start or how to stay consistent once they do.

Learning how to get a Security Plus certification isn’t just about passing a single test. It’s about creating a clear, manageable system that works with your schedule. In the sections ahead, you’ll see how small, steady steps can lead to momentum and eventual success.

Security+ Overview and Why It Helps

CompTIA Security+ is one of the most widely recognized entry-level credentials in cybersecurity. It signals to employers that you have the foundational skills to identify risks, respond to security incidents, and support secure network operations.

Demand for security talent continues to grow. Employment for information security analysts is projected to increase by 29% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average. This makes Security+ a practical investment if you’re looking for long-term stability and advancement in the field.

Security+ measures practical knowledge and skills across five core domains:

• Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
• Architecture and Design
• Implementation
• Operations and Incident Response
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance

The CompTIA Security+ exam includes a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions designed to simulate real tasks. You’ll have 90 minutes to answer up to 90 questions. Scores are scaled, with 750 as the passing mark, so success depends on overall performance, not a simple percentage.

How to Get a Security Plus Certification in 5 Clear Steps

Here’s a simple roadmap that takes you from preparation to renewal, with actions you can start today.

1. Confirm Readiness

There are no strict Security+ prerequisites, but CompTIA recommends having Network+ and about two years of IT administration experience with a security focus. If you already have help desk experience or solid networking fundamentals, you’re ready to begin. Identify and fill any skill gaps with targeted study before moving forward.

2. Build a Focused Study Plan

Use CompTIA’s domain weightings to guide how you study. Spend extra time on Security Operations and Threats, since they carry the most exam weight.

A strong study plan should include:

• Practice tests to improve speed and accuracy
• Study materials mapped directly to the official Security+ objectives
• Regular review sessions to reinforce weak areas

These habits help keep your preparation efficient and on track for the Security+ exam.

3. Buy Your Voucher

The Security+ exam costs about $425. You can purchase the voucher directly from CompTIA or through authorized resellers. If you qualify for student, employer, or bundle discounts, apply them at checkout to reduce the cost.

4. Schedule the Exam

Once you’re ready, create a Pearson VUE account and choose how you’ll take the exam: either in person at a test center or through Person VUE’s online testing system, OnVUE.

Before exam day, don’t forget to:

• Complete the required ID verification
• Run a system test if you’re testing online
• Prepare a quiet, compliant space that meets OnVUE requirements

5. Pass, Claim Your Badge, and Plan Renewal

When you pass, your score will appear in your CompTIA account. To keep your Security+ active, earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within three years. CEUs can be earned through training courses, higher-level certifications, webinars, or approved work experience.

Security+ Prerequisites and Who Should Take It

Security+ is a strong fit for early-career IT professionals, motivated career changers, and support staff looking to move into security roles. There are no formal prerequisites.

However, CompTIA recommends that candidates have Network+ certification on top of two years of security-focused IT administration experience. That background can shorten study time and make it easier to handle performance-based questions that assume real-world troubleshooting skills.

Readiness Checklist

Use this quick list to gauge your current skill level before diving into study mode:

• Networking basics: Understand how data moves across a network, including subnetting concepts, virtual local area network (VLAN) segmentation, and common ports and protocols. You should be comfortable with core services like dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) and domain name system (DNS), and know how misconfigurations can introduce security risks.
• System hardening: Be familiar with reducing attack surfaces through least-privilege access, regular patching, and secure baseline configurations. This includes knowing why default settings are risky and how to lock systems down without breaking functionality.
• Identity and access: Know how users and systems authenticate, including common authentication methods and the role of multi-factor authentication. You should understand how roles and groups are used to manage access and why improper permissions are a leading cause of security incidents.
• Threat awareness: Recognize common attack types such as phishing and malware, and understand how vulnerability scanning helps identify weaknesses before attackers do. You don’t need deep forensics skills, but you should know what these threats look like in real environments.
• Operations: Have a basic grasp of security operations, including the main steps of incident response, the importance of logging, and how tools for security information and event management (SIEM) centralize and correlate security events for monitoring and investigation.

If you’re new to IT, plan around eight to 10 weeks of study. Those already managing systems or networks can usually complete prep in four to six weeks.

Study Plan You Can Follow in 6 to 10 Weeks

A plan tied to domain weights keeps you on track. Keep practice tests frequent so you learn pacing, then drill weak areas.

Weeks 1 to 2: Concepts and Architecture

• Start with the basics to build a solid foundation.
• Cover general security concepts and architecture principles.
• Study the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) triad, risk management, and cryptography fundamentals.
• Explore patterns like zero trust and try short labs on account hardening and secure configuration

Weeks 3 to 4: Threats and Mitigations

• Focus on identifying and countering attacks.
• Review social engineering, phishing, and common network threats.
• Practice reading vulnerability scan results.
• Build a short playbook for quick response steps such as phishing triage, password resets, and endpoint isolation.

Weeks 5 to 6: Security Operations

• Learn how to maintain and monitor systems.
• Study incident response, change management, and SIEM alerts.
• Run timed drills on performance-based questions involving logs or network segmentation.
• Use structured Security+ sample questions to sharpen pacing.

Weeks 7 to 8: Program Management and Practice Tests

• Combine everything you’ve learned and test yourself.
• Review policies, governance, and vendor risk management.
• Take two full practice exams and target passing-level scores before scheduling.
• Use a flag-and-return strategy for difficult items to manage time effectively.

Weeks 9 to 10: Optional Refinement

If your scores still lag in certain domains, add two focused weeks. Go through each objective again and repeat timed drills until you feel ready for the CompTIA Security Plus exam.

Practice Rules That Help on Test Day

A few habits make a big difference as you approach exam day:

• Use 10- to 15-minute sessions for performance-based question drills to improve your speed.
• Track every missed question by domain and objective.
• Stop adding new study materials two weeks before the test to stay focused.

This structure helps you stay consistent with your exam prep and manage time well, especially when you’re unsure how to get the Security Plus certification successfully.

What Is On the SY0-701 Exam?

The best way to direct study time is to tie it to real objectives published by CompTIA. Here, we break down the tasks in each domain and the weight each one carries.

Domains and Examples

Here’s how the exam is structured:

• General Security Concepts (12%) – Core principles such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA), along with basic risk concepts, introductory cryptography, and common access control models used to protect systems and data.
• Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%) – Common attack methods like social engineering and malware, identifying system and network weaknesses, applying secure network design, performing scans, and selecting appropriate remediation techniques.
• Security Architecture (18%) – Designing secure environments using network segmentation, identity and authentication services, cloud deployment models, and zero trust principles.
• Security Operations (28%) – Day-to-day security activities including incident response, logging and monitoring, change management, digital forensics, and planning for disaster recovery and business continuity.
• Program Management and Oversight (20%) – Organizational security practices such as policy development, governance, vendor and supply chain risk management, security awareness programs, and legal or regulatory considerations.

Question Types and Timing

The exam includes multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Expect up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, with a passing score of 750 from a scale of 100 to 900.

To help you manage your time wisely, observe the following tips:

• Start with quick wins or the questions you can answer in under 45 seconds.
• Flag tougher questions and come back to them later.
• Keep a steady rhythm so you don’t run out of time.

Scoring Explained: What 750 Really Means

The Security+ exam uses scaled scoring between 100 and 900, so a 750 is not a fixed percentage. Instead, your score reflects both question difficulty and overall performance. Two test-takers can miss different questions and still pass with the same score. Treat 750 as the benchmark, not something to reverse-engineer into a percent.

Simple Strategy for a Scaled Exam

Because the exam is scaled, efficiency matters. Focus on high-impact areas to maximize your score:

• Prioritize higher-weight domains first.
• Don’t overspend time on performance-based questions.
• Take at least two full, timed practice exams to dial in pacing.

For official scoring details and updates, CompTIA remains the best source. Understanding how scaling works helps you prepare smarter and spend study time when it counts.

After You Pass: Certification Status and Digital Badge

Once you pass the Security+ exam, your results will appear in your CompTIA account shortly after testing. Your verified certificate and digital badge will be available for download and can be shared on professional profiles or added to your resume.

Your score report can help plan what’s next, whether that’s applying for Security Operations Center Analyst roles or pursuing the next certification in your cybersecurity career. All official actions, including renewals and updates, are managed directly through your CompTIA profile.

Next Steps That Build Momentum

Keep the progress going after earning your Security+ certification:

• Update your LinkedIn and resume with your new credential.
• Ask your manager for security-related projects where you can apply your new skills.
• Set a renewal reminder about 30 months out so CEUs don’t pile up near expiration.

These quick actions help you stay visible, build experience, and maintain your standing.

Maintain Your Security+ With 50 CEUs in 3 Years

Your Security+ certificate stays active for three years after you pass the exam. To renew it, you’ll need to earn 50 CEUs.

Common CEU Sources

Here are some of the most accepted ways to renew:

• Higher certifications: Completing an approved advanced credential automatically renews Security+.
• Training and education: Participate in instructor-led or online training aligned with Security+ exam objectives.
• Industry activities: Earn CEUs by attending webinars or conferences, or by contributing to IT community events.

All documentation is uploaded and managed through your CompTIA account.

Fees and Timing Tips

Renewal takes planning. Spreading your CEU activities across the three-year cycle helps reduce both time pressure and cost. Here are some simple ways to achieve this:

• Review CEU requirements and renewal fees early to budget accordingly.
• Track activities in a spreadsheet or calendar.
• Submit documentation as you go to avoid last-minute delays near expiration.

Renewing on time keeps your certification active and ensures your credential remains recognized by employers.

Security+ vs. Related Certifications

The Security+ certification is vendor-neutral and covers broad security concepts. It demonstrates that you can communicate effectively across security and IT teams.

As your career develops, the following credentials can expand your skill set:

• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CySA+) focuses on detection, analysis, and monitoring. This credential is ideal if your target role is in network defense (blue-team career).
• CompTIA PenTest+ emphasizes assessment and ethical hacking within defined rules of engagement. This option aligns well with roles in network assessment (red-team career).

The CompTIA Security+ certification remains the most common starting point because it blends operations, architecture, and governance into a single exam.

Simple Path Examples

Use these sample progressions as a quick reference:

• Help desk or network admin to SOC: Security+ → CySA+
• IT generalist to assessment roles: Security+ → PenTest+
• Career changer to cybersecurity: Security+ after refreshing basic networking skills

Following these steps gives you a structured roadmap on how to get a Security Plus certification and grow into more advanced security roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to learn more about how to get a Security Plus certification, these common questions break down eligibility, difficulty, timelines, and potential salary impact.

Build Your Security+ Momentum Today

Learning how to get a Security Plus certification is only the beginning. What matters next is turning that knowledge into exam readiness and real career results. A structured study plan and focused practice are what separate those who pass on the first try from those who have to regroup and start over.

At Destination Certification, simplify the process with flexible prep options designed to fit how you learn best. Choose a self-paced Security+ Masterclass or an immersive, five-day BootCamp, and build confidence with full-length practice exams, realistic simulations for performance-based questions, and clear renewal guidance so you’re prepared long after test day.

Both learning pathways align fully with SY0-701 objectives and emphasize exam strategy as much as technical knowledge. You’ll also get practical tools, from study guides and sample questions to cost and renewal explainers, to help you plan and execute your prep efficiently.

If earning Security+ is your next step, let us guide you towards success. Get expert structure, proven study tools, and practical insights that turn effort into results. Your Security+ goal starts here. Let’s make it happen.