We've decided to post our CompTIA Security+ study guide for free online.
The CompTIA Security+ is the starting block for most careers in IT security and paves the way for a career in technical IT security (think CSAP+, Cyber Operations, Penetration Testing, or Ethical Hacking) or for IT Security Management and compliance such as the CISSP.
The Security+ ensures you understand network security from both a technical and management perspective covering common standards, hacking methods, and device hardening but also compliance and documentation, which is also very important. It's a must-have certification for any US Government work or contracting because it's compliant with DoD 8570 standards.
Please note that this is for a previous version of the exam, so you will need to supplement your study further, but it will give you a great kicking-off point. If you want to take our CompTIA Security+ video and lab training course then the link is in the top menu. It includes CompTIA Security+ practice tests.
What You Will Learn
Working out what to study for your IT Security career can seem like a huge puzzle at times. Thankfully, CompTIA has interviewed thousands of companies and industry leaders and compiled a list of the most important subjects every security engineer should understand to do their job.
Below is our 101 Labs – CompTIA Security+ lab workbook if you want to improve your hands-on security skills for:
- Hacking – how bad players gain access to network data and devices
- Penetration testing – finding holes in software and services to exploit
- Network hardening – locking down devices from the most common attack types
- Firewall configuration – deciding what is allowed in and out of your network
- Scanning for open ports – ports are like keyholes waiting to be opened
- Locking down networks – stopping hacking attacks before they happen
Chapter 1 – Network Security Fundamentals
Chapter 2 – Compliance and Operational Security
Chapter 3 – Threats and Network Vulnerabilities
Chapter 4 – Application, Host and Data Security
Chapter 5 – Access Control and Identity Management
Chapter 6 – What is Cryptography?
CompTIA Security+ Practice Test [SY0-601]
Read the CompTIA Security+ exam page.
Other Resources
If you are serious about passing your CompTIA Security+ exam, then you need to understand the theory and gain considerable hands-on experience.
For the theory and labs, we cover it all in our CompTIA Security+ certification course. Created by our CCIE Jay Ocampo, you learn all the Security+ syllabus topics one by one with real-world examples. Using free software, you then complete the configuration labs on your home PC. Over 450 practice exam questions are included, so you will be more than ready come exam day.
If you want an extra confidence boost, then please use our 101 Labs – CompTIA Security+ book. This book is 100% practical, covering scripting, penetration testing, device hardening, configuration, SQL injection attacks, common hacking tools, and much more. There is a video course to complement the book also if you need that.
Other Exams
You must allow around two months at two hours per day to pass the Security+ exam. Do theory, labs, and practice exams daily, and you should be more than prepared come exam day.
After the Security+, you can take a very similar exam called the SSCP, which has a huge amount of overlap, so minimal study would be involved. After that, consider the Cisco CCNA CyberOps Associate certification. This very closely matches both the Security+ and SSCP certifications meaning that with very little extra effort, you can pass another two IT security certifications.
From there, you can move into Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, Linux Security, CyberSecurity Analysis, wireless security, or several other career avenues.
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