CompTIA Security+

CompTIA

The baseline cybersecurity certification across the 8140 matrix. It appears as an Intermediate qualification option for more IT and Cybersecurity work roles than any other credential.

We have a course for this

Built from this exam's published objectives. The first module is free.

CompTIA Security+

Intermediate · 8 hrs

Baseline certification levels

This certification satisfies these DoD baseline levels — the IAT / IAM / IASAE / CSSP requirement many contracts still state. It's a separate question from the 8140 work roles above, and there is no official mapping between the two.

IAT Level II IAM Level I

What this qualifies you for

Listed specifically for 15 work roles — up to Intermediate proficiency. Because options cascade downward, a cert listed at Advanced also satisfies Intermediate and Basic for that role.

411Technical Support SpecialistProvides technical support to customers who need assistance utilizing client level hardware and software in accordance with established or approved organizational process components. (i.e., Master Incident Management Plan, when applicable).Intermediate 421Database AdministratorAdministers databases and/or data management systems that allow for the storage, query, and utilization of data.Intermediate 431Knowledge ManagerResponsible for the management and administration of processes and tools that enable the organization to identify, document, and access intellectual capital and information content.Intermediate 441Network Operations (NETOPS) SpecialistPlans, implements, and operates network services/systems, to include hardware and virtual environments.Intermediate 451System Administrator (SYSADMIN)Installs, configures, troubleshoots, and maintains hardware, software, and administers system accounts.Intermediate 511Cyber Defense AnalystUses data collected from a variety of cyber defense tools (e.g., IDS alerts, firewalls, network traffic logs.) to analyze events that occur within their environments for the purposes of mitigating threats.Intermediate 521Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support SpecialistTests, implements, deploys, maintains, and administers the infrastructure hardware and software.Intermediate 531Cyber Defense Incident ResponderInvestigates, analyzes, and responds to cyber incidents within the network environment or enclave.Intermediate 541Vulnerability Assessment AnalystPerforms assessments of systems and networks within the NE or enclave and identifies where those systems/networks deviate from acceptable configurations, enclave policy, or local policy. Measures effectiveness of defense-in-depth architecture against known vulnerabilities.Intermediate 612Security Control AssessorConducts independent comprehensive assessments of the management, operational, and technical security controls and control enhancements employed within or inherited by an information technology (IT) system to determine the overall effectiveness of the controls (as defined in NIST 800-37).Intermediate 622Secure Software AssessorAnalyzes the security of new or existing computer applications, software, or specialized utility programs and provides actionable results.Intermediate 641Systems Requirements PlannerConsults with customers to evaluate functional requirements and translate functional requirements into technical solutions.Intermediate 661Research & Development (R&D) SpecialistConducts software and systems engineering and software systems research in order to develop new capabilities, ensuring cybersecurity is fully integrated. Conducts comprehensive technology research to evaluate potential vulnerabilities in cyberspace systems.Intermediate 671System Testing and Evaluation (T&E) SpecialistPlans, prepares, and executes tests of systems to evaluate results against specifications and requirements as well as analyze/report test results.Intermediate 722Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM)Responsible for the cybersecurity of a program, organization, system, or enclave.Intermediate

Also listed for 14 Cyberspace Enablers roles — but so is every other certification

The Enablers matrix isn’t role-differentiated: the same certification options are listed for all 14 roles at every proficiency level. We verified that across all 14. So this is true, and it carries no information about this credential specifically — which is why it isn’t in the count above.

211 Forensics Analyst 221 Cyber Crime Investigator 711 Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer 712 Cyber Instructor 731 Cyber Legal Advisor 732 Privacy Compliance Manager 751 Cyber Workforce Developer and Manager 752 Cyber Policy and Strategy Planner 801 Program Manager 802 IT Project Manager 803 Product Support Manager 804 IT Investment/Portfolio Manager 805 IT Program Auditor 901 Executive Cyber Leader

Renewal

3year cycle50CEU per cycle

This is the issuer’s clock. 8140 runs a second one — 20 hours of CPD a year, at every proficiency level, which applies even if you hold no certification at all. How that works

Source: CompTIA Continuing Education — renewal requirements · checked 2026-07-16

Verifying it

CompTIA has no public lookup a third party can use on their own — verification depends on a badge URL you share.

A badge URL the holder shares. Credly proves a badge exists, not who holds it.

Track this credential

Source: CompTIA Continuing Education — renewal requirements · checked 2026-07-16

Exam blueprint

Verified against CompTIA’s published outline.

SY0-701 · V7

Current · until 2027-06-11

Max 90 questions · 90 minutes · passing score 750 (scale 100–900)

General security concepts12%

Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations22%

Security architecture18%

Security operations28%

Security program management and oversight20%

CompTIA lists SY0-701 retirement as June 11, 2027 (English) and August 13, 2027 (Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai). Its successor, Security+ V8 (SY0-801), is announced for on or around November 17, 2026, so the two overlap for about seven months.

Source: CompTIA Security+ certification page · dated 2023-11-07 · checked 2026-09-15

SY0-801 · V8

Announced · live 2026-11-17

Max 90 questions · 90 minutes · passing score 750 (scale 100-900)

General security concepts16%

Threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks24%

Security architecture19%

Security operations27%

Security program management and oversight14%

CompTIA publishes the V8 domain weights and the launch date on its own V8 page. The exam objectives behind them are still listed as a draft on CompTIA's exam objectives under development page, so objective-level detail can still change.

Source: CompTIA Security+ V8 certification page · checked 2026-09-23