Overview

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam replaced SY0-601 in November 2023 with a reorganised five-domain structure and expanded coverage of governance, risk, and compliance. This 48-page summary mirrors the current objectives exactly, with the acronym and port tables most candidates wish they had memorised earlier.

Who This Guide Is For

• CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 candidates preparing for their first cybersecurity certification
• IT professionals renewing Security+ certification (3-year renewal cycle)
• Cybersecurity students bridging course material to exam objectives
• Help desk and sysadmin staff moving into security roles
• Indian IT graduates targeting cybersecurity roles at TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, and product companies that require Security+ as a baseline credential

Sample Content Preview

Excerpt from the Cryptography domain (page 22 in the full guide):

Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Encryption

                      Symmetric             Asymmetric
  Keys:               Single shared key     Public + private pair
  Speed:              Fast                  Slow (~100x slower)
  Key distribution:   Hard — secure chan.   Easy — public key is public
  Typical algorithms: AES, ChaCha20, 3DES   RSA, ECC, ECDSA, Diffie-Hellman
  Typical use:        Bulk data encryption  Key exchange, digital sig.
  Key length (safe):  AES-256               RSA-2048 or ECC-256+

  Exam tip: Asymmetric is often used to securely exchange a symmetric
            key, after which symmetric encryption handles the actual
            payload. This pattern is the basis of TLS.

How to Use This Guide

Final-mile review (2 weeks before exam)

• Days 1–5: one domain per day — read, highlight unfamiliar terms, drill appendix A (acronyms)
• Days 6–10: domain-by-domain practice questions using Professor Messer, Jason Dion, or CompTIA CertMaster — return to this guide whenever you miss a question
• Days 11–13: two full-length practice exams; spend the evening drilling weak domains
• Day 14: read only the acronym table and port chart; early bedtime

Exam-morning strategy

• Skim the acronym table (appendix A) — most candidates miss 2–3 acronym-based questions
• Review the port chart once (appendix B)
• Re-read the incident response flowchart — it anchors multiple domain-4 questions

Exam Details

• CompTIA Security+ SY0-701
• 90 questions — mix of multiple-choice and performance-based (PBQs)
• 90-minute time limit
• Passing score: 750 on a scale of 100–900
• Delivery: Pearson VUE testing centre or OnVUE online proctored
• Cost (India): approximately ₹35,000 for the standalone voucher (verify current price at comptia.org)
• Launched: November 7, 2023 (SY0-601 retired July 31, 2024)
• Certification validity: 3 years; renew via CEUs, higher CompTIA cert, or re-exam

All domain weights and content pointers in this guide map to the official SY0-701 Exam Objectives document (v7.0) published by CompTIA.

Important Notes & Disclaimer

• Not affiliated. This product is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
• Trademarks. "CompTIA" and "Security+" are registered trademarks of the Computing Technology Industry Association. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
• Study aid only. This guide is a study aid and does not guarantee passing the exam. You must take the official exam through Pearson VUE.
• Verify objectives. Exam objectives and domain weightings change when CompTIA updates or retires an exam. Always verify the current SY0-701 Exam Objectives PDF on CompTIA's official website before your test date.
• No professional advice. Content is for educational use only and does not constitute professional security advice for a specific organisation or environment.