CompTIA Security+ vs CompTIA CySA+: Which Comes After Security+?

Anyone researching Security+ vs CySA+ eventually runs into the same question: what does Security+ actually demand? CompTIA's current Security+ exam is SY0-701, launched on November 7, 2023. It is a single-exam certification priced at $425, capped at maximum of 90 questions, timed at 90 minutes, and scored on a 100–900 scale with 750 required to pass.

How Security+ and CySA+ differ

Security+ is broad. It touches access control, cryptography, risk, governance, operations, cloud, wireless, and threat scenarios in one exam across five domains. CySA+ goes deeper into threat analysis and security operations — it is positioned as an intermediate-level credential that assumes Security+ or equivalent knowledge.

If your next role is a first or second security position, Security+ usually answers the immediate hiring question faster. CySA+ becomes more relevant when you are targeting analyst roles that require deeper defensive operations expertise.

Job market context

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $124,910 for information security analysts based on May 2024 data and projects 28.5% growth from 2024 to 2034. Security+ helps candidates enter this market. CySA+ helps candidates advance within it. The two credentials are often stacked sequentially rather than treated as alternatives.

What should you do with this information next?

Our CompTIA Security+ study guide covers all five SY0-701 domains. Available at securitypluscertprep.com/guide.

SimpuTech's Security+ AI tutor can build a personalized study plan. Try it at SimpuTech.com.