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CompTIA Security+ Exam Guide

A comprehensive 6-week study plan to help you prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam.

Exam Information

90 minutes

Duration

90 questions (max)

Questions

750/900

Passing Score

$392 USD

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

General Security Concepts

General Security Concepts (12%)

10-12 hours

Security controls and frameworks
Fundamental security concepts
Change management processes
Cryptographic solutions

Recommended Resources:

Professor Messer

CompTIA Objectives

Week 2

Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%)

14-16 hours

Threat actors and motivations
Common attack vectors
Vulnerability types and indicators
Mitigation techniques

Recommended Resources:

OWASP

Hands-on Labs

Week 3

Security Architecture

Security Architecture (18%)

12-14 hours

Security implications of architecture models
Secure infrastructure concepts
Data protection strategies
Resilience and recovery

Recommended Resources:

NIST Framework

Documentation

Week 4

Security Operations

Security Operations (28%)

16-18 hours

Security techniques and technologies
Vulnerability management
Security alerting and monitoring
Incident response procedures

Recommended Resources:

CyberDefenders Labs

TryHackMe

Week 5

Security Program Management

Security Program Management and Oversight (20%)

12-14 hours

Security governance elements
Risk management processes
Third-party risk assessment
Security awareness and compliance

Recommended Resources:

CompTIA Materials

NIST

Week 6

Performance-Based Questions & Review

All Domains

15-20 hours

Practice performance-based questions
Review weak areas
Full practice exams
Final preparation

Recommended Resources:

Practice Exams

Labs

Exam Tips & Strategies

PBQs First or Last

Performance-based questions appear at the beginning. Skip them initially if you prefer, then return after finishing multiple choice.

Time is Tight

With 90 minutes for up to 90 questions, pace yourself carefully. Don't spend more than 1-2 minutes on any question.

Hands-On Practice

Use virtual labs to practice with security tools. Understanding practical application helps with performance-based questions.

Know Acronyms

Security+ is heavy on acronyms. Create flashcards for CIA, AAA, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and dozens more.

Key Topics to Master

CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)

Authentication methods (MFA, biometrics)

Encryption types (symmetric, asymmetric)

Network security (firewalls, IDS/IPS)

Malware types and indicators

Social engineering attacks

Vulnerability scanning and assessment

Penetration testing methodologies

Incident response phases

Risk assessment and management

Security frameworks (NIST, ISO)

Cloud security concepts

Identity and access management

PKI and certificate management

Security awareness training

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide

Back to Security+

CompTIA Security+ Exam Guide

A comprehensive 6-week study plan to help you prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam.

Exam Information

90 minutes

Duration

90 questions (max)

Questions

750/900

Passing Score

$392 USD

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

General Security Concepts

General Security Concepts (12%)

10-12 hours

Security controls and frameworks
Fundamental security concepts
Change management processes
Cryptographic solutions

Recommended Resources:

Professor Messer

CompTIA Objectives

Week 2

Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%)

14-16 hours

Threat actors and motivations
Common attack vectors
Vulnerability types and indicators
Mitigation techniques

Recommended Resources:

OWASP

Hands-on Labs

Week 3

Security Architecture

Security Architecture (18%)

12-14 hours

Security implications of architecture models
Secure infrastructure concepts
Data protection strategies
Resilience and recovery

Recommended Resources:

NIST Framework

Documentation

Week 4

Security Operations

Security Operations (28%)

16-18 hours

Security techniques and technologies
Vulnerability management
Security alerting and monitoring
Incident response procedures

Recommended Resources:

CyberDefenders Labs

TryHackMe

Week 5

Security Program Management

Security Program Management and Oversight (20%)

12-14 hours

Security governance elements
Risk management processes
Third-party risk assessment
Security awareness and compliance

Recommended Resources:

CompTIA Materials

NIST

Week 6

Performance-Based Questions & Review

All Domains

15-20 hours

Practice performance-based questions
Review weak areas
Full practice exams
Final preparation

Recommended Resources:

Practice Exams

Labs

Exam Tips & Strategies

PBQs First or Last

Performance-based questions appear at the beginning. Skip them initially if you prefer, then return after finishing multiple choice.

Time is Tight

With 90 minutes for up to 90 questions, pace yourself carefully. Don't spend more than 1-2 minutes on any question.

Hands-On Practice

Use virtual labs to practice with security tools. Understanding practical application helps with performance-based questions.

Know Acronyms

Security+ is heavy on acronyms. Create flashcards for CIA, AAA, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and dozens more.

Key Topics to Master

CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)

Authentication methods (MFA, biometrics)

Encryption types (symmetric, asymmetric)

Network security (firewalls, IDS/IPS)

Malware types and indicators

Social engineering attacks

Vulnerability scanning and assessment

Penetration testing methodologies

Incident response phases

Risk assessment and management

Security frameworks (NIST, ISO)

Cloud security concepts

Identity and access management

PKI and certificate management

Security awareness training

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide