CompTIA Security+ Topics: 4 Effective Study Tips for Exam

The vendor-neutral and internationally recognized CompTIA Security+ certificate verifies a professional’s aptitude for performing basic security tasks in the IT security industry. Typically, security experts are advised to obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification as their first security certification. It is an important certification that cultivates the fundamental knowledge required for various cybersecurity positions.

This certification is beneficial for systems administrators, network administrators, security administrators, junior IT auditors and penetration testers, security specialists, security consultants, and security engineers. To achieve this certification, applicants must learn specific Security+ topics and acquire certain competencies. We will address your queries regarding these topics in this post.

Let’s begin with our free CompTIA Security+ practice test, which will help you pass your exam on your first attempt with flying colors.

Skills Covered

The first security certification that IT professionals should obtain is CompTIA Security+. It provides the necessary core knowledge for any cybersecurity job and serves as a crucial step towards intermediate-level cybersecurity roles. Successful candidates will need to possess the following skills:

• Evaluating the security status of a corporate setting, suggesting and executing suitable security measures.
• Supervising and safeguarding mixed environments, encompassing cloud, mobile, and Internet of Things (IoT).
• Operating while being mindful of relevant regulations and policies, including governance, risk, and compliance principles.
• Detecting, examining, and addressing security events and incidents.

The CompTIA Security+ exam emphasizes today’s best practices for risk management and risk mitigation, with a stronger emphasis on the practical and hands-on ability to recognize and resolve security risks, attacks, and vulnerabilities.

Read more >> Security+ performance-based questions

Topics Included

Exam objectives, which are publicly available documents detailing the scope of the real CompTIA certification test, provide a basic summary of certification test subjects. Exam goals contain domain weighting, test objectives, and examples of topics and concepts to help students understand the content presented on the exam.

The following domains and topics are covered in the CompTIA Security+ exam:

• General Security Concepts (12%): Introduces cybersecurity terminology and concepts at the outset to establish a solid basis for the security controls discussed throughout the exam.
• Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%): Centers around the response to prevalent threats, cyberattacks, vulnerabilities, and security incidents, as well as the utilization of suitable mitigation techniques to monitor and safeguard hybrid environments.
• Security Architecture (18%): Encompasses the security ramifications of various architecture models, principles for securing enterprise infrastructure, and strategies for safeguarding data.
• Security Operations (28%): Incorporates the application and enhancement of security and vulnerability management techniques, along with addressing the security implications associated with appropriate hardware, software, and data management.
• Security Program Management and Oversight (20%): Represents the reporting and communication skills necessary for job roles in Security+ that pertain to governance, risk management, compliance, assessment, and security awareness.

CompTIA is continually examining and upgrading the substance of its certification examinations to ensure that they remain current and that the security of the questions is maintained. While a particular exam is ongoing, certification test domains may be updated, which may include revisions to current domains as well as the addition of new topics and concepts.

These Security+ domains have become the benchmark for all cybersecurity positions. Organizations want Security+ certified staff these days because they assist them to prevent costly security threats.

Exam Format

There are no more than 90 questions on the CompTIA Security+ test, and candidates have up to 90 minutes to complete it. After passing the test, you’ll be invited to complete an optional exit survey about your study habits and why you chose to get certified. There will be roughly 12 multiple-choice questions in total.

The CompTIA Security+ exam consists of multiple-choice questions and performance-based duties. Single-response and multiple-response questions are the two forms of multiple-choice questions. Performance-based tasks assess your ability to solve issues in a controlled setting.

Read more >> How hard is Sec+?

Study Tips

#Tip 1: Become Familiar With Each Domain

Make a list of the domains to evaluate, as well as the individual objects inside each domain. List a few bullets for firewalls, IDSs, routers, and other network security devices, for example. Then assemble the study resources that are most appropriate for your requirements. Concentrate on a weak point initially if you have one.

It’s usually preferable to start with the most difficult concepts. Once you’ve mastered them, the tone and speed for the remainder of the domains you’ll need to learn will be set. Before going on to the next domain, make sure you’ve mastered the first. Many topics will overlap as you progress through the domains, which can help you learn faster.

#Tip 2: Schedule Time for Each Domain Appropriately

In general, you’ll make a study schedule that takes into account your job and personal obligations. In addition, during your downtime or in combination with times when you may be applying some of the material you are learning or attending a technical lecture, you should strive to organize study time for each domain effectively.

Individual experience can help you save time in the classroom, but you should take into account factors such as the exam’s duration and the logic of the questions. Relying only on past performance is a bad strategy that nearly always leads to failure. 

#Tip 3: Make Use of Practice Tests

Many candidates may not be familiar with test-taking tactics or how to take a timed exam because this is an entry-level exam. Taking a few practice examinations can help you figure out how much time you’ll need for each question and your overall knowledge level. A smart initial step is to take practice examinations focused on single-domain courses. Take full-length practice examinations once you’ve mastered each domain area to guarantee you’re ready for the real exam.

Do not be discouraged by the outcomes of the practice exam tests. It’s fairly normal for things to go wrong during the first round of questions unless you’re a seasoned test taker, especially if you haven’t finished your reading and prep course. 

Take your time studying and making use of all available resources to clear up any questions. You should observe consistent scores on mock examinations towards the end of your study schedule.

#Tip 4: Know Your Exam

The CompTIA website has all you need to know about the Security+ test. It will also include connections to a wealth of valuable resources, including official training providers, test subjects, sample problems, and study materials.

It also includes important information such as a summary of the certification and test, including requirements, the number and kind of questions you will be asked, the amount of time allocated for the exam, and the passing score. 

These details will assist you in successfully planning your time for each course and setting your goals. It also prevents you from cramming too much information – which is never a smart method to learn.

Read more >> How to Take CompTIA Security+ Exam Online?

Summary

In a competitive job market, having a Security+ certification can help prospective candidates stand out. When all other variables are equal, it might be all that’s necessary to land that first position in the security industry.

According to CompTIA, 32% of its employed credential holders earn pay raises, promotions, or other perks as a result of completing their certification. High school graduates who hold a CompTIA certification make 22% more money than their non-certified peers.

For entry-level and early-to-mid-career IT security workers, it has been demonstrated to be a winner, even though it may not be the most impressive credential for senior IT security roles.

So why wait? Make a study plan utilizing the Security+ topics and techniques we covered previously.