The current Security+ certification is not a generic "cyber" badge. CompTIA frames SY0-701 around five weighted domains, hands-on performance-based work, and a fixed exam window of 90 minutes. The voucher price is $425, the exam can include maximum of 90 questions, and the passing score is 750 on a scale of 100-900.
Vulnerability scanning vs penetration testing
Vulnerability scanning is an automated process that identifies known weaknesses in systems, software, and configurations. It does not exploit vulnerabilities — it reports them. Penetration testing is an authorized, goal-directed attempt to exploit vulnerabilities to assess actual exploitability and impact. Scanning tells you what might be vulnerable; pen testing tells you what is actually exploitable by a skilled attacker.
When each is appropriate
Vulnerability scanning is ongoing and automated — it should run continuously or on a regular schedule as part of a vulnerability management program. Penetration testing is periodic and manual — it is typically commissioned annually or after significant infrastructure changes. Both are covered in Security Operations (28% of SY0-701).