What Is CompTIA Security+ and Why Do Employers Require It?
If you’ve been researching IT or cybersecurity careers, you’ve almost certainly seen “CompTIA Security+” listed in job postings. It comes up again and again — across industries, across Florida, and across the country. So: what is CompTIA Security+, who actually needs it, and why do so many employers specifically require it rather than merely prefer it?
This guide answers all of it clearly — including the exam details most articles get wrong.
What Is CompTIA Security+?
CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral cybersecurity certification issued by CompTIA — the Computing Technology Industry Association. It validates that the holder has the skills and knowledge to perform core security functions and pursue a career in IT security.
It’s the baseline, or foundation-level, cybersecurity credential. That means it’s the minimum qualification many employers look for when hiring for security-related IT roles — the gate you pass through before advanced certifications like CySA+ or CISSP come into play. “Vendor-neutral” matters too: it isn’t tied to one company’s products, so the skills travel with you across healthcare, finance, government, and enterprise IT.
Security+ exam at a glance
| Exam code | SY0-701 (current version at publication) |
| Questions | Up to 90 |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 out of 900 |
| Question types | Multiple choice + performance-based questions (PBQs) |
| Recommended experience | Network+ and ~2 years of IT admin with a security focus (recommended, not required) |
| Valid for | 3 years, renewable through CompTIA’s Continuing Education program |
CompTIA refreshes its exams every few years, and each refresh changes the domains and objectives. SY0-701 is current as of this writing — always confirm the active version on CompTIA’s official Security+ page before you buy study materials, so you’re not preparing for a retired exam.
What the Security+ Exam Actually Covers
The SY0-701 exam is organized into five domains. The weightings matter more than most people realize — they tell you exactly where to spend your study time:
| Domain | What it tests | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1. General Security Concepts | Core principles, control types, cryptography basics, change management | 12% |
| 2. Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations | Threat actors, attack types, vulnerabilities, and how to mitigate them | 22% |
| 3. Security Architecture | Secure network, cloud, and enterprise design; data protection; resilience | 18% |
| 4. Security Operations | Monitoring, detection, investigation, incident response, identity management | 28% |
| 5. Security Program Management & Oversight | Governance, risk, compliance, policies, and third-party risk | 20% |
Security Operations alone is 28% of the exam — more than double General Security Concepts. If you study every domain equally, you’re underweighting the largest one. That single insight changes how most people should prepare.
Why Do Employers Require Security+?
There are three reasons Security+ shows up as a hard requirement rather than a nice-to-have.
1. DoD 8570 / 8140 compliance
The U.S. Department of Defense requires personnel in information assurance roles to hold an approved baseline certification, and Security+ is on that approved list. That means every federal agency, military branch, and defense contractor handling government systems needs Security+-certified staff in security roles. It’s not a hiring preference — it’s a compliance obligation.
MacDill Air Force Base hosts both CENTCOM and SOCOM, and a dense community of defense contractors operates around them — all requiring DoD 8570/8140 compliance. For Tampa Bay job seekers, Security+ is often the single fastest path into that entire employer segment. See our guide to high-paying IT jobs in Tampa Bay for what that market pays.
2. Industry-wide standardization
Outside government, Security+ became the de facto standard because its scope is broad enough to serve as a baseline across industries. Healthcare organizations under HIPAA, financial firms managing PCI-DSS compliance, and enterprise IT teams all recognize it as a meaningful, independently verified credential. When a hiring manager sees Security+, they don’t have to guess what you know.
3. It’s a resume filter before a human ever reads it
This is the practical reason people underestimate. When a posting lists Security+ as required, applicant tracking systems frequently screen on it directly. Without the credential, a strong candidate can be filtered out before any human sees the resume. The certification isn’t just proof of skill — it’s the thing that gets you read.
What Jobs Does Security+ Qualify You For?
With Security+ alone, Florida job seekers can realistically target:
| Role | Florida salary range |
|---|---|
| IT Security Specialist | $58,000 – $74,000 |
| Security Analyst (entry level) | $55,000 – $72,000 |
| Systems Administrator (with security duties) | $55,000 – $70,000 |
| SOC Analyst (Tier 1–2) | $52,000 – $68,000 |
| Cybersecurity Technician | $50,000 – $65,000 |
Demand behind those numbers is real: the BLS projects 29% growth for information security analysts from 2024 to 2034 — nearly ten times the average across all occupations. Many of these roles also open paths to higher pay once you add experience and an advanced credential.
Do You Need A+ Before Security+?
CompTIA recommends Network+ and about two years of IT administration experience with a security focus before attempting Security+. But there is no mandatory prerequisite exam — you can register for Security+ today if you want to.
In practice, here’s the honest guidance:
- Already have IT experience? Many students go directly to Security+ without A+ first.
- Complete beginner? A+ (and often Network+) builds the foundation Security+ assumes you already have — especially networking concepts, which run through the whole exam.
- Not sure? ACT’s admissions team gives an honest recommendation based on your background — including telling you when you can skip A+ entirely.
If you’re starting from zero, our companion guide on starting an IT career with no experience walks through that foundation stage in detail.
How to Prepare for the Security+ Exam
Security+ rewards preparation strategy, not just study hours. Five things separate people who pass from people who retake:
- Weight your study time to the domainsSecurity Operations is 28% of the exam and Threats/Vulnerabilities is 22% — together, half the test. Don’t give them the same time as the 12% domain.
- Practice the performance-based questionsPBQs ask you to complete a task in a simulated environment, not recall a fact. They typically appear first and eat time — many candidates flag them, finish the multiple choice, then return.
- Take timed practice exams90 questions in 90 minutes is roughly a minute each. Pacing is its own skill, and you only build it under a clock.
- Learn the acronyms coldSecurity+ is acronym-dense. If you’re decoding terminology mid-question, you’re burning time you don’t have.
- Understand, don’t memorizeMost questions are scenario-based: they describe a situation and ask what you’d do. Memorized definitions won’t answer those — applied understanding will.
How to Get CompTIA Security+ Certified in Florida
At Access Computer Training, the CompTIA Security+ Certification Prep program is 60 clock hours of live, instructor-led training delivered via Microsoft Teams, covering every exam objective with an experienced instructor guiding you through concepts, practice questions, and exam strategy.
Every Security+ program at ACT includes:
- Your exam voucher included in tuition — no separate fee to budget for
- One free retake if you need it
- Live classes with a real instructor — not pre-recorded content — capped at 12 students
- Practice exams and a readiness assessment before your test date
- Career support after certification — resume, interview prep, employer connections
You can check upcoming start dates on the course calendar, or see Security+ in context of the full IT Network & Security pathway.
Funding your Security+ training
Many students pay little or nothing out of pocket. WIOA workforce funding, Vocational Rehabilitation, and VA education benefits are all available for qualifying students — our full breakdown covers how to pay for IT training in Florida, or compare everything on the funding options page.
Ready to Get CompTIA Security+ Certified?
Book a free strategy call and find out when the next Security+ prep cohort starts — and whether you qualify for funded training.
Book Your Free Strategy Call → or call 855-9-LEARNITWhere Security+ Leads Next
Security+ is a starting line, not a finish line. Once you’ve certified and gained some hands-on experience, the natural next steps are CompTIA CySA+ for threat detection and analysis work, or PenTest+ if offensive security appeals to you. ACT’s Cyber Defense & Incident Response pathway bundles that progression into one program.
Still deciding whether the field itself is right for you? Our honest breakdown of whether a cybersecurity career is worth it in 2026 covers the market, the money, and the downsides. Or browse everything on the programs page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Security+ hard to pass?
It’s a challenging exam that rewards preparation. Students who complete a structured prep program — rather than self-studying alone — consistently report higher confidence and pass rates. The combination of live instruction, practice exams, and an instructor who can clarify difficult concepts makes a significant difference, especially on scenario questions and PBQs.
How long does Security+ prep take at ACT?
ACT’s Security+ program runs approximately 8 to 10 weeks of live weekly sessions, totaling 60 clock hours structured to build knowledge systematically toward your exam date.
What’s the difference between Security+ and CySA+?
Security+ is the foundation — broad coverage of security principles. CySA+ is the next step up, focusing specifically on threat detection, behavioral analytics, and incident response. Most professionals earn Security+ first, gain some experience, then advance to CySA+.
Does CompTIA Security+ expire?
Yes — Security+ is valid for three years from the date you pass. You keep it active through CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program by earning continuing-education units or a higher-level certification, so you don’t have to retake the exam.
How much does the Security+ exam cost?
CompTIA voucher prices change periodically, which is why we don’t quote a figure that will age. At ACT, the exam voucher and one free retake are included in your tuition — so there’s no separate exam fee to plan for.
Can I get Security+ without any IT experience?
You can sit the exam with no experience — there’s no prerequisite. Whether you should is a different question. Security+ assumes networking fundamentals, so complete beginners usually pass more comfortably (and interview better) after building that base first with A+ and Network+.
So, What Is CompTIA Security+ Worth to Your Career?
Security+ is the credential that turns “interested in cybersecurity” into a resume that gets read. It’s the DoD baseline, the industry standard, and the filter employers screen on — which is exactly why it appears as required in so many postings. For anyone in Florida eyeing a security role, especially around Tampa Bay’s defense and healthcare employers, it’s the highest-leverage certification you can hold.
The exam is demanding, but it’s passable with a structured plan — and you don’t have to build that plan alone.
Start Your Security+ Certification
Find out which pathway fits your background, when the next cohort starts, and whether funding covers your tuition — in one free call.
Book Your Free Strategy Call → or call 855-9-LEARNIT
