Cybersecurity remains one of the fastest-growing areas in IT, and CompTIA Security+ is still one of the most recognised entry-level certifications in the field. It is often the first serious credential people choose when they want to move into security, validate their core knowledge, or build confidence before progressing to more specialised roles.
If you are comparing study paths, it is worth exploring the CompTIA Security+ training course alongside the broader Cybersecurity training hub and the full Training Courses Now course catalogue.
What is CompTIA Security+ certification?
CompTIA Security+ (currently SY0-701) is a vendor-neutral cybersecurity certification designed to validate the practical security skills that employers expect at the early-career level. It covers the foundations of protecting systems, networks, identities, applications, and data in modern environments.
At a high level, it focuses on:
- Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities
- Security architecture and design
- Implementation of controls
- Operations and incident response
- Governance, risk, and compliance
Security+ is widely seen as the certification that helps learners move from general IT awareness into practical cybersecurity thinking. It is especially useful for people aiming at support, analyst, junior admin, and compliance-aware technical roles.
Exam details at a glance
- Version: SY0-701
- Questions: up to 90, including multiple-choice and performance-based items
- Exam duration: 90 minutes
- Passing score: 750 out of 900
- Recommended background: around two years of IT experience with some security exposure, or knowledge equivalent to Network+
- Best preparation style: structured study plus hands-on practice
Why is Security+ so popular?
1) It is one of the most recognised entry points into cybersecurity
Security+ has become the default starting point for many people entering the field because it is broad enough to build foundational confidence, but still practical enough to feel relevant to real jobs.
2) It is vendor-neutral
That matters because it makes the certification more portable. Unlike product-specific credentials, Security+ teaches core concepts that apply across many technologies, employers, and environments.
3) It creates a pathway into more advanced certifications
Security+ is often the stepping stone into the next layer of cybersecurity training, especially paths such as CompTIA CySA+ for analyst roles and other intermediate security or compliance-focused certifications.
Is CompTIA Security+ worth it today?
Yes — especially if you want to start or strengthen a cybersecurity career.
Security+ is still one of the most practical certifications for early-career professionals because it proves you understand the security fundamentals employers care about right now: protecting systems, handling incidents, thinking about risk, and applying secure operations in real environments.
It is especially useful if you want to move into junior security roles, validate your skill level, or prepare for higher-value study later. If you want a structured path into exam-aligned learning, start with the CompTIA Security+ course page.
Pros of Security+ certification
Beginner-friendly but still respected
It is accessible enough for early-career learners, but not so basic that employers dismiss it. That balance is a big part of its value.
Globally recognised
Security+ is one of the most widely recognised cybersecurity certifications for junior to intermediate-level professionals, which makes it a strong addition to a CV or LinkedIn profile.
Strong foundation for future growth
It creates an excellent base for more specialised learning later, especially in areas such as analyst work, incident response, vulnerability management, and broader cyber operations.
Useful for real job pathways
Security+ supports realistic movement into roles such as SOC support, junior security analyst, security administrator, and technically focused service desk or infrastructure positions with a security lens.
Cons of Security+ certification
It is not the cheapest entry-level certification
Compared with some foundational certifications, Security+ does require a bigger financial commitment. The exam voucher and study materials can add up, especially if you choose instructor-led training.
It is broad rather than deeply specialised
That is useful at the start, but if your goal is a niche area like cloud security, analyst work, or penetration testing, you will eventually need more targeted credentials.
Performance-based questions can be challenging
Security+ is not just about memorisation. The scenario-driven questions and performance-based items mean you need to understand how concepts apply, not just what they mean.
Cost in Australia
- Exam voucher: typically one of the more significant costs for entry-level learners
- Training course: structured instructor-led learning can cost more, but often improves exam readiness
- Best approach: weigh the total investment against your career goals, not just the exam price alone
If you want structured live training instead of only self-study, you can explore options through Training Courses Now or go directly to the Security+ training course.
Salary potential
Security+ alone will not determine your salary, but it can absolutely improve your ability to compete for roles that pay better than general IT support positions. The biggest impact usually comes when certification is backed by practical experience, projects, or a clear specialisation path.
Roles Security+ can help support include:
- Entry-level security analyst roles
- Security-focused system or network administration roles
- SOC support or junior operations roles
- Compliance-aware technical roles where broad security knowledge matters
Key topics covered in Security+
- General security concepts – CIA triad, AAA, Zero Trust, and control types
- Threats and vulnerabilities – malware, phishing, attackers, weaknesses, and risk exposure
- Security architecture – cloud, hybrid environments, segmentation, and security design thinking
- Operations and incident response – logs, SIEM concepts, response processes, and core blue-team thinking
- Governance, risk, and compliance – policies, frameworks, audit awareness, and security management practices
A simple way to think about Security+ is this: it teaches you how modern security works across systems, users, processes, and incidents — not just how to memorise definitions.
Where to begin
- Check your starting point
You do not need formal prerequisites, but you will usually do better if you already have general IT awareness, networking basics, or support experience.
- Choose a preparation path
If you prefer structure and accountability, start with the CompTIA Security+ training course. If you want broader context first, browse the Cybersecurity training options.
- Use practice and labs
The best Security+ preparation always includes practice questions and hands-on exercises, especially because performance-based questions test application, not just memory.
- Plan your next step early
If you already know you want to move toward analyst work, compare the next path with CySA+ so your learning stays aligned with your long-term role target.
Is Security+ enough to get a job?
It is a strong credibility signal, but not a complete job guarantee. Employers usually want to see more than a certificate alone. They care about practical thinking, communication, troubleshooting ability, and whether you can actually apply security concepts in a real environment.
That is why the strongest candidates usually pair Security+ with labs, home projects, internships, help desk exposure, or other proof of applied learning.
FAQs
Is Security+ hard?
It can feel challenging because of the broad domain coverage and performance-based questions, but it is very achievable with structured preparation and hands-on practice.
Is it stressful?
It can be, especially if you are underprepared. The best way to reduce stress is to practise under realistic conditions and get comfortable with scenario-style questions before exam day.
What should I study after Security+?
A common next step is CySA+ if you want to move toward analyst, detection, and response work. Other learners may choose more specialised cloud, compliance, or penetration testing pathways depending on their goals.
Where can I explore more cybersecurity training?
Start with the Training Courses Now homepage, then browse the full course catalogue or go straight to the Cybersecurity section.
The future of cybersecurity jobs in Australia
The long-term trend is still positive. As organisations invest more in cloud security, identity protection, compliance, incident response, and security operations, the demand for people with strong foundational cyber skills should continue. Security+ remains a strong way to build that foundation — especially when you keep growing beyond it.