How long does it take to get a Security+ Certification?

There are so many paths to consider for budding security experts that the mind can sometimes boggle. Even after making the big division between technical and non-technical, you still have a huge range of categories and sub-categories.

Oftentimes, a newbie to the IT security industry will want to build a strong foundation, touching on as many different security aspects as possible without necessarily being an expert in any of them.

With this in mind, the first security certification a candidate will often seek to obtain is CompTIA Security+. It establishes the fundamental skills necessary for any cybersecurity position and serves as a launching pad for cybersecurity employment at the intermediate level.

The exam vendor, CompTIA, says that candidates for Security+ must possess the practical problem-solving abilities necessary to evaluate the security posture of a business environment; suggest and implement appropriate security solutions. In reality, anybody can take the exam and often do in order to get some exposure and recognized credentials.

Security+ combines best practices in hands-on troubleshooting iCloud, mobile, and IoT hybrid environments should be kept on and secured. Operate with knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, including governance, risk, and compliance concepts. Recognize, assess, and address security events and incidents.

So how long does it take to get a Security+ Certification? Well, many domains are covered in the exam syllabus, so it can be hard to state an exact number, to be honest. If you are already familiar with the information covered on the exam, 30 to 45 days is a reasonable time limit. It could be better to give 60 days if the person has yet to gain prior IT knowledge.

Most candidates come straight from passing the Network+ exam, which has an entire domain allocated for security, giving them a head start. If you pass the Network+, you can leverage that knowledge to shave off a week or two of study.

Difficulty Level of the Exam

Is it hard to get a Security+ Certification?

The CompTIA Security+ is one of the most widely accepted and approved IT security certifications in the industry. The exam covers the core ideas in cybersecurity and gives you practice in handling security-related tasks.

Although CompTIA doesn’t publish pass and fail percentages, you can estimate around half fail on their first attempt, which is pretty much the industry average for IT exams. There can be many reasons for this, including lack of preparation, going blank due to nerves, and some silly reasons, such as your face not being on the webcam as you take a drink of water if you are taking the exam online.

Consequently, while it is difficult, passing the Security+ exam and earning a certification in IT security is possible. The exam requires thorough preparation, structured study time, focused practice, and the appropriate tools and materials. After providing everything, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Written exams are standard in the IT sector, and the CompTIA Security+ test is no different in that regard. There have been discussions on which CompTIA exam is the easiest to pass and which is the hardest.

Some suffer for many months before passing, while others boast online that they passed with minimal or even no study. I’m not so sure about these claims, but for the average person, you can expect around eight weeks of hard work.

People’s experiences with exams, prior knowledge, and methods of preparation can all vary, leading to a wide range of answers. Generally, it is only possible to gauge how difficult a test is because a candidate must constantly decide whether or not to take it. In other words, your prior understanding of IT security and your preparation method will influence how challenging the exam will be for you. You’ll understand what I’m talking about once you start planning.

Exam Format

Multiple Choice

The stock question type for every IT exam is multiple choice, but it’s a bit more than that. The exam can ask you:

• Single answer
• Multiple correct answers
• True or false
• Look at the diagram and answer questions
• Fill-in-the-blank

Performance Based

PBQs for short, are interactive questions whereby you may have to type commands or make configuration changes. You may also be presented with a network and have to click on various devices to check their settings, such as the image below, which is copyright CompTIA.

You must be prepared for these types of questions by reading the syllabus fully and spending time configuring equipment if you can get access or network emulators such as Cisco Packet Tracer.

Is a Security+ Certification Worth it?

If you want to add security credentials to your resume, pursue a cyber security career, or need to understand network security for your job, earning the CompTIA Security+ certification is very worthwhile.

All of this undoubtedly sounds simple, but you might wonder what makes the Security+ certification worth the effort compared to others. Let’s examine some features that make the CompTIA Security+ certification a good starting point:

1. The US DoD approves Security+ Certificate to Meet 8570 Requirements: A guideline known as 8570 from the US Department of Defense describes how personnel working for or for the department should be taught and certified if they are performing information assurance or cyber security activities. The Department of Defense acknowledges the legitimacy and importance of the CompTIA Security+ certification and mandates it for specific positions since this directive has accepted the Security+ as a baseline qualification for most of that work. The CompTIA Security+ certification undoubtedly has benefits, including being acknowledged and respected by the federal government and its suppliers and contractors.

2. It does not require any experience to take the examination: As your career in cyber security develops, you’ll undoubtedly notice that many of the significant certifications have prerequisites, such as a minimum number of years of experience that can be verified or the completion of a recognized training program before you are even permitted to take the certification exam. Some exams even call for you to be “sponsored” by someone who has already achieved certification. There are no prerequisites for Security+ or the majority of other CompTIA certifications, which is a huge advantage. You are welcome to show up tomorrow and take the test. However, it is beneficial for those starting in the cyber security or computer networking field to knock out a certification, especially when work experience is hard to come by and degrees take a while to complete. Of course, this places the onus on you as the test taker to ensure you are fully prepared. A significant advantage of the certification is that you may add Security+ to your resume in 60 days or less if you planned and studied.

What Percentage do you need to pass Security +?

A score of at least 750 is required to pass the test, rated from 100 to 900. Any grade of less than 750 is regarded as failing. Your results will be displayed on the screen and sent to you through email after the exam is complete. If you succeeded, kudos to you!

Don’t lose hope if you don’t pass the test. The areas you should concentrate on will be highlighted in your report. If this is your first test failure, you may retake it whenever it is most convenient. However, you must wait 14 days from the date of your first exam if you need to retake it for the third time.

How Long is security+ Good for?

After passing your certification exam, your CompTIA Security+ certification is valid for three years. You may easily extend your three-year CompTIA Security+ certification by continuing your education program.

Even if your employer does not require you to renew your certification, it is still essential to be prepared for possible career advancement chances in the future. Certification provides the necessary evidence of your knowledge when the experience you are accumulating over the years may be challenging to define. There are three ways to renew your certification:

1. Training: You can renew your CompTIA Security+ certification without taking an exam by enrolling in the online CertMaster CE Security+ training course that CompTIA offers. With CertMaster CE, some users can renew their CompTIA Security+ certification in six hours or fewer.
2. Recertification exams: If you pass the most recent CompTIA Security+ exam, qualify for higher IT-industry certifications, a higher CompTIA certification, or take and pass a recertification exam, you can renew your CompTIA Security+ certification.
3. Activities: You can earn continuing education units (CEUs), which you must accrue to renew your certification, by finishing qualified, numerous activities. To renew CompTIA Security+, you need 50 CEUs. You can use these units to renew your certificates. 

What is the Most Accessible Security Certification to Get?

So many different certifications are available that address a wide range of topics. As a result, deciding which first step is best for you can be complicated or even daunting.

Here are the six credentials that are perfect for IT workers looking to enter the in-demand industry of information security. Remember that this list is also excellent for ordinary professionals who want to learn more about how to safeguard their systems and data:

1. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals (recently retired)
2. CompTIA Security+
3. ISACA CSX Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate
4. CompTIA PenTest+
5. (ISC)2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
6. White Hat Hacking

Jobs opportunities after getting Security+ Certification

The industry standard for confirming the fundamental abilities required to carry out core security tasks and pursue a career in IT security is CompTIA Security+. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has approved CompTIA Security+ as meeting the requirements of directive 8140/8570.01-M and conforming to ISO 17024 standards.

The new CompTIA Security+ certification covers the junior IT auditor/penetration tester job description in addition to the following:

• Systems administrator
• Network administrator
• Security administrator

An impressive initial impression comes from certification. According to an IDC survey, ninety-six percent of HR managers utilize IT certifications as screening or hiring criteria during recruitment.

What is CompTIA Security+ Salary?

Before obtaining a cybersecurity certification, people should carefully examine what kind of average pay it would bring in. The truth is that CompTIA Security+ cannot guarantee a specific income.

Be wary of sources guaranteeing that obtaining a certification will increase your earnings. A certification by itself has no direct bearing on the payment of an IT professional. Instead, it has to do with the IT professional’s employment role, thanks to the certification(s) and other aspects like location, company, industry, and more.

CompTIA Security+ can assist you in obtaining a few cybersecurity careers, each with an associated average/median annual income, such as:

• Cybersecurity manager: $101,800 average advertised income. Penetration tester: $101,200 average advertised salary.
• Systems administrator: $80,600 median salary.
• Network administrator: $80,600 median salary
• Cybersecurity expert: the average advertised income is $99,652
• Just with CompTIA Security+, you could be considered for one of these positions also:
• Engineer in cybersecurity: average advertised pay of $105,300
• Security consultant: $87,800 average advertised income Cybersecurity analyst: $99,700 median salary

Summary

The CompTIA Security+ has stood the test of time, and I highly recommend you add it to your portfolio. I do suggest you study for the CompTIA Network+ first even if you don’t plan to take the exam.