Home > Articles > CompTIA > Security+

Exam Profile: CompTIA's New Security+ SY0-401 Exam

This article describes the new CompTIA Security+ SY0-401 exam, including the objectives, preparation hints, and study resources.
Like this article? We recommend

The CompTIA Security+ certification is an entry-level certification focused on IT security. A security professional with the Security+ certification is expected to have at least two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security. However, this two-year requirement is not as strict as it with some other security certifications, and it is not enforced. In other words, as long as you can pass the exam, you earn the certification.

Security+ has gained a lot of recognition in the past few years and is a required certification by many organizations. For example, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) published DoD directive 8570, requiring many administrators to have at least a Security+ certification. This includes active duty personnel, civilians, and contractors. Many IT contracts specifically state that hired contractors must have at least the Security+ certification to work on the contract, so having this on your resume often opens many more doors of opportunity.

Security+ started with the SY0-101 version, was revised in 2008 to the SY0-201 version, and revised in 2011 to the SY0-301 version. It has been revised again as SY0-401, and the SY0-401 version became available in May 2014. However, the current SY0-301 version will be available until Dec. 31, 2014.

A common question I’ve been asked is “Does it matter which exam I take?” The short answer is no. You earn the same certification with both exams, and the certification must be renewed within three years or it will expire. At this moment, there is much more training material out on the SY0-301 exam, so if you want to earn the Security+ certification go for the current SY0-301 exam. Publishers and training companies are working behind the scenes to get updated materials out for the SY0-401 exam (such as the CompTIA Security+ SY0-401 Authorized Cert Guide), and as we get closer to December 2014, there will be a lot more material available.

Certifications Must Be Renewed

Anyone that took and passed the Security+ certification on or before December 31, 2010, is certified for life. However, anyone certified after December 31, 2010, is only certified for three years from the date they first became certified. This renewal also applies for anyone with the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications, but not any other CompTIA certifications. This policy is in line with other certifications such as (ISC)2’s SSCP and CISSP, and Cisco’s CCNA. It became a requirement after the A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications became accredited under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024. You can read more on the certification renewal policy here.

There are two basic requirements to renew the Security+ certification:

  • Earn at least 50 continuing education units (CEUs)
  • Pay an annual fee of $49 (for a total of $147)

There are multiple ways you can earn CEUs. For example, you can take non-degree courses or training sessions relevant to Security and earn 1 CEU for each hour of training up to a maximum of 40 CEUs. If you took a 40-hour SSCP training course, you’d earn 40 CEUs. Similarly, you can earn as many as 20 CEUs for creating and presenting IT Security related material. You’ll earn 2 CEUs for each hour spent on creating the material, and 1 CEU for each hour you spend presenting the material. Different activities have different submission requirements. For example, when attending a class, you need to be able to provide a description of the training, the content covered, dates, hours, and proof of completion.

You can also earn a full 50 CEUs if you complete a qualified higher level certification. There are many higher level certifications that fall into this category, A few are: SANS GSE, SCP SCNP, ISACA CISA, (ISC)2 SSCP or CISSP, Microsoft MCSA or MCSE, and Cisco CCNA Security. While Microsoft’s MCITP certifications aren’t currently listed, some of them probably will be at some point in the future.

You can view a full listing of all qualifying activities to earn CEUs, and all approved higher level certifications here.

It’s expected that you’ll earn the 50 CEUs over the course of a three-year period. For example, you may earn 10 credits the first year and 20 credits in years 2 and 3, for a total of 50 credits. However, you have to earn the 50 CEUs at some point within the three year cycle, and submit the CEUs to CompTIA or your certification will expire. When you submit the CEUs for evaluation, you’ll be required to pay the annual fee, and you can pay for all three years at once. If you don’t submit CEUs in years 1 and 2, and want to submit 50 CEUs in year 3, you’ll still be required to pay a total of $147. After you submit the CEUs, they’ll be evaluated to ensure they meet the requirements and you’ll be certified for another three years.

SY0-401 Exam Details:

  • Number of questions: 90
  • Some questions may be beta questions put in for research purposes and they aren’t graded. However, you’ll never know which ones are beta questions and which ones are graded, so you must answer each question as though it’s a valid question.

  • Type of Questions: Multiple choice and performance-based
  • Passing score: 750 on a scale of 100 to 900
  • If you show up and don’t answer a single question, you’ll get a score of 100. If you ace the exam, you’ll get a score of 900.

  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam price: $293 in the US.
  • You can check this link for prices elsewhere in the world. You can buy a voucher for the exam directly from the CompTIA marketplace, or from a testing center when you register.

  • How to register: Pearson Vue
  • You can take the exam at any Pearson Vue test center. If you know of one near you, you can call them directly to register, or you can register online. This Pearson Vue site will help you locate a Pearson Vue testing center close to you.

  • Time to get results: You’ll know as soon as you complete the exam if you passed or not.

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020