What Is the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)?
The CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is an online credential offered through CompTIA / Various Prep Providers, designed to give career changers and beginners the foundational skills needed to enter Cybersecurity roles — without requiring a degree or prior experience.
It covers both the theoretical foundations and practical, hands-on skills employers actually want. By the end of the program you'll have completed real projects you can add to your portfolio and show in interviews.
Who Is This Review For?
We wrote this for career changers who want an honest, unsponsored take on whether this certificate is worth their time and money. We cover the good and the bad.
Who Should Take This Certificate?
✅ Best For
Anyone targeting a serious cybersecurity career, especially government, defence, finance, or enterprise roles. Essential if you want DoD-level clearance roles.
❌ Not Ideal For
Complete beginners with zero IT background — study Google IT Support or Network+ first. Also not for those who want deep offensive security skills (look at CEH or OSCP).
What You'll Learn — Course Breakdown
Here's exactly what's covered, course by course:
Security controls, cryptographic concepts, authentication, and authorization.
Malware, social engineering, application and network attacks, and mitigation techniques.
Secure network design, cloud security, virtualization, and zero trust architecture.
Incident response, identity management, monitoring, and endpoint security.
Risk management, compliance frameworks, data privacy, and security governance.
Jobs & Salary This Certificate Leads To
Based on job postings and graduate outcomes, here are the most common roles this certificate prepares you for:
| Job Title | Salary Range (US) | Job Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $65k–$85k | Very High |
| SOC Analyst | $60k–$80k | Very High |
| IT Security Specialist | $68k–$90k | High |
| Network Security Engineer | $75k–$100k | High |
Salary figures on this page are editorial benchmarks for U.S. roles, not guarantees. They are cross-checked against public wage data and role titles, and they vary by location, seniority, portfolio strength, and employer type.
Salary Growth Over Time
These are starting salaries. With 2–3 years experience and additional certifications, salaries typically increase 30–60% in these career paths.
Cost & Time Commitment
Through CompTIA / Various Prep Providers, this certificate is available via a monthly subscription at around $49/month. Most students complete it in 3–6 months, making the total cost $150–$295. Financial aid is available for those who qualify and can bring the cost close to zero.
Financial Aid Available
If cost is a barrier, Coursera offers financial aid that can reduce the price significantly. Apply directly through Coursera — approval typically takes 15 days.
Pros & Cons — The Honest Breakdown
Pros
- Single most recognised entry-level security cert globally
- Required by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD 8570)
- Vendor-neutral — applies to any platform or environment
- 3-year certification with Continuing Education to renew
- Dramatically increases interview callbacks and salary
- Strong preparation for CySA+, CISSP, and other advanced certs
Cons
- Exam costs $392 — higher than Google's subscription certs
- Harder than Google career certificates — requires real study
- No hands-on labs included — must find practice resources separately
- Best results come with 6–12 months IT experience first
Our Final Verdict
SkillsToPivot Rating
CompTIA Security+ is the gold standard entry-level cybersecurity certification and one of the most recognised credentials in the entire IT industry. It's required for many government and DoD positions, highly valued by enterprise employers, and proves you have real security knowledge — not just course completion. If you're serious about a cybersecurity career, Security+ is non-negotiable. The investment pays back fast.
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