CompTIA Security+ certification: History of the exam

CompTIA recently released the latest version of its Security+ exam, SY0-701, marking another milestone in the certification's evolution. This update reflects significant changes in cybersecurity, focusing on current job roles and emerging threats in our constantly changing technical landscape. This refresh demonstrates CompTIA's commitment to keeping the certification relevant for today's security professionals while streamlining the content for a maturing industry. 

The new version refines the exam domains while maintaining the certification's core purpose — validating the skills of early-career cybersecurity professionals.  

CompTIA's Patrick Lane explained the changes to the most recent Security+ exam during an Infosec Security+ webinar.

"701 has the same number of exam domains but fewer objectives due to a more focused job role in a maturing industry," explained Patrick Lane, director of product management at CompTIA, in a recent Security+ webinar. This refinement comes from years of industry feedback and observation of how security roles have evolved. 

Why Security+ matters 

Back in 2002, CompTIA recognized a significant gap in the certification landscape. Information security professionals needed a stepping stone between entry-level certifications and more advanced credentials. Currently, newcomers to the field struggle to prove their competency without years of experience, while employers lack a reliable way to verify candidate cybersecurity knowledge. 

Security+ filled this void, becoming a foundational certification for cybersecurity careers. The certification tests the knowledge you typically gain from two years of hands-on cybersecurity work, making it an excellent validator of real-world skills. It opens doors to roles like security administrator, network engineer, systems administrator and security analyst. 

Your career potential with a Security+ certification extends across various industries and organization sizes. Your Security+ salary potential varies by role, location and experience level. For a complete picture of the earning potential in the field, check out our free cybersecurity salary guide. 

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Two decades of evolution 

The Security+ exam has grown alongside the cybersecurity field, adapting to match new threats and technologies. Each iteration brings fresh content while maintaining the certification's core value. 

2008 update: CompTIA Security+ SY0-201 

The first Security+ exam version, SY0-101, was used until 2008. In that year, CompTIA released SY0-201, establishing a stronger focus on system security, network infrastructure, organizational security, access control methods, audits and cryptography fundamentals. These changes reflected the growing importance of secure networks and data protection in an increasingly connected world. 

2011 update: CompTIA Security+ SY0-301 

The 2011 update to SY0-301 brought significant changes, adding cloud computing and threat mitigation concepts. This version also marked a crucial shift in testing methodology. CompTIA introduced performance-based questions in January 2013, testing hands-on skills and simulated environments. These practical scenarios helped employers better evaluate candidates' ability to handle real-world security challenges. 

2014 update: CompTIA Security+ SY0-401 

By 2014, the SY0-401 version emphasized access control and identity management. This change anticipated the growing importance of identity-based security measures in an era of remote work and mobile devices. The exam began testing candidates' understanding of authentication methods, access control models and identity management principles. 

2017 update: CompTIA Security+ SY0-501 

The SY0-501 release in 2017 represented a 25% content change from its predecessor, increasing focus on risk management and cyberattack prevention. This update responded to the rise of ransomware, sophisticated phishing attacks and other emerging threats. The modification reflected the growing variety and complexity of cyberattacks, making it essential for security professionals to understand and neutralize these threats effectively. 

2020 update: CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 

In 2020, SY0-601 expanded coverage of cloud security, mobile devices and IoT. These additions reflected the changing nature of enterprise networks in the security challenges of managing diverse technology ecosystems. Here are the five Security+ domains in SY0-601: 

• Architecture and Design (21%) focused on applying security controls to create safe operational environments. 

• Implementation (25%) tested competence and securing system designs across hardware, firmware, operating systems and peripherals. 

• Operations and Incident Response (16%) evaluated expertise in responding to cybersecurity incidents and creating business continuity strategies. 

• Attacks, Threats and Vulnerabilities (24%) assessed the candidate's ability to recognize and understand different threat sources and potential vulnerabilities. 

• Governance, Risk and Compliance (14%) ensured familiarity with programs that align security strategy with business operations. 

The last day to take the Security+ 601 exam was July 31, 2024. So, let's look at the current version of Security+. 

2024 Update: What's new in SY0-701 

The latest version refines the certification's focus based on industry changes. "We found that security administrators now really know what they're required to do and what they're not required to do," Patrick Lane notes.  

Tommy Gober says the same, "The cybersecurity industry is becoming more defined and focused. Security administrators now have a clearer picture of their roles and what they don't." The exam removed content better suited for other certifications, like penetration testing skills now covered in PenTest+. 

Infosec instructor Tommy Gober shares tips for passing the updated Security+ exam in this episode of Cyber Work Hacks.

Here is what the current SY0-701 Security+ domains look like: 

• General Security Concepts (12%): This new domain ensures candidates understand fundamental principles like confidentiality, integrity and availability. 

• Threats, Vulnerabilities and Mitigations (22%): This domain subject matter hasn't changed much, but it now emphasizes practical threat detection and incident response skills over theoretical knowledge. 

• Security Architecture (18%): This domain covers network security components, secure network design, identity and access management and cloud/virtualization security. The domain streamlines architectural concepts to focus on what security administrators implement and maintain. 

• Security Operations (28%): This domain encompasses day-to-day security tests, including monitoring, detection, incident response and digital forensics. This expanded domain now includes implementation tests previously scattered across other domains, creating a more cohesive approach to operational security. 

• Security Program Management and Oversite (20%): The former "Governance, Risk and Compliance" was renamed to reflect the shift in how organizations approach security governance. 

The new version also aligns more closely with NICE framework job roles, making it easier for employers to match certifications with specific positions. Want to explore these changes in detail? Watch our Security+ SY0-701 webinar or download our comprehensive Security+ SY0-701 ebook. 

Maintaining your certification 

Your CompTIA Security+ expiration date is exactly three years after the date you passed the exam.  

"Look at the pace of technology changing," says Tommy Gober, Security+ instructor. "Things are constantly evolving, and the amount of time that CompTIA and instructors invest in the instructional material leading up to an exam creates a kind of lock-in effect. Technology continues to evolve, and we can't change all of it all the time." 

You can maintain your certification through several paths. Taking the current exam version is one option, though many professionals opt to earn a higher-level CompTIA certification instead. The third path involves collecting 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through professional development activities. 

These CEUs can come from various sources: professional training sessions, college courses, teaching and mentoring others, creating educational content, publishing articles or videos and contributing to certification development. This flexibility lets you choose activities that align with your career goals while keeping your skills current. 

Read our Security+ CEU article for more information. 

Looking forward 

The Security+ certification continues to adapt alongside the cybersecurity field. While threats evolve and technology advances, this credential maintains its role as a crucial validation of cybersecurity skills. The Security+ domains provide a comprehensive framework for understanding modern security challenges. 

The certification's evolution over the past two decades reflects the dynamic nature of cybersecurity itself. From its origins as a bridge between entry-level and advanced certification to its current role as a globally recognized credential, Security+ sets the standard for validating essential cybersecurity skills.