One of the easiest and verified ways to double up the market worth and have better industry penetration is to go for professional certification by passing the linked exam. For example, those who are involved in cybersecurity and need a push can consider the CompTIA SY0-501 exam. Passing this test will make the successful candidate let the world believe that the inherited skills are best-of-the-breed and are surely dependable.

Certification Overview

The path paved by CompTIA SY0-501 leads one to a globally recognized, job-based, and vendor-neutral certification, CompTIA Security+. This certificate focuses on the baseline expertise of the cybersecurity domain and allows its holders to pursue the IT security career with the least possible hurdles.

Presently, this is one of those rare cybersecurity accreditations that focus on real-world knowledge and give enough exposure to the key concepts. Therefore, those individuals who complete this track triumphantly are no less than an asset for the industry as they are real-world problem-solvers and are able to detect potential cybersecurity threats in the infancy stage and craft viable remedial solutions.

SY0-501 Prerequisites and Targeted Audience Profile

Before you converge your focus on the CompTIA SY0-501 exam and its associated certification, make sure that you meet the basic requirement. The vendor suggests one acquire the Network+ certification before applying for the test.

It is also crucial that CompTIA SY0-501 aspirants have worked in cybersecurity in IT administrator roles for a minimum of two years. By asking this from the candidate’s side, the vendor guarantees that they will have a smooth exam journey and can easily grasp what the exam is trying to convey.

Finally, if your dream job roles are a DevOps developer, IT auditor, security engineer, or security analyst then putting efforts into the CompTIA SY0-501 exam can be proved as a smart move.

Key Exam Characteristics

CompTIA SY0-501 was launched in 2017 and as per the vendor’s exam policy, this version is due to go off the floor in July 2021. The latest version SY0-601 is already around the corner. Both these tests are the same in format and covered domains. The differences exist in the sub-domains. Some topics have been added and removed as per the changing face of the cybersecurity industry.

Let’s know about the CompTIA SY0-501 exam traits. First, it is 90-minute long and features 90 MCQ and performance-based questions. One has to score 750 or above, out of 900, to come up with flying colors in this assessment. The score will remain valid for 3 years. Candidates willing to enjoy the benefits of the certification beyond that time can go for the latest exam version or upgraded certification.

Pearson VUE is the authorized body for conducting the exam global locations. Thus, it can be taken via online and offline mode. In both the options, the test is proctored and can be taken in English, Japanese, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese languages. Candidates have to pay $370 as an exam fee, which comes in the form of an exam voucher. The voucher is valid for a certain period and can be availed as per the aspirants’ will.

Using a structured pattern, SY0-501 throws light on concepts like identifying the common attacks and vulnerabilities of the cybersecurity world, security concepts implementation, end-to-end security implementation, operations and incident response, and governance, risk & compliances.

Reliable Self-study Resources

Self-study is an important part of the exam preparation path. If the applicant takes some of the tried and tested self-study resources then weaving success will become an achievable job. Amazon houses such result-driven self-study resources. We have hand-picked the best for you:

• Identity Attack Vectors by Morey J. Haber and Darran Rolls

  Every CompTIA SY0-501 exam aspirant can buy this book with full confidence because the authors have done a commendable job in explaining the best incident management practices. After paying due attention, readers will be able to understand identity governance and create protective solutions against identity theft and account compromises.

• CompTIA Security+ Study Guide by Darril Gibson

  This is a very comprehensively designed study guide for SY0-501 exam. The author has supplemented the book with blogs. However, all the exam objectives are covered well in this guide too while the real-world examples make the learning a bit more impactful. Referring to it will surely make the preparation journey easier to accomplish.

• Mike Meyers' CompTIA Security+ Certification Passport by Dawn Dunkerley

  It is a star performer on Amazon because of its amazing and updated content. As it comes directly from the IT security experts, this material is highly beneficial. For each domain, there is an in-depth explanation given. The bulleted summary at the end of each chapter helps candidates to grasp the subject zest easily. There are some viable test-taking tips as well. Overall, reading this guide is a great way to prepare to ace the CompTIA SY0-501 exam.

• Practical Cybersecurity Architecture by Ed Moyle and Diana Kelley

  A huge part of the exam focuses on building and deploying robust designs for cybersecurity architects, and this book is dedicated to this learning domain. It explains some of the most notable practical scenarios to architect multi-level or multi-tier security structures, effective implementation solutions, and workable risk assessment methodologies well. It tries its best to make the reader aware of the methods used to apply architectural concepts.

• Securing Systems by Brook S. E. Schoenfield

  This book is here to make the reader equipped enough to assess the computer system’s existing information security posture. All the expertise needed for the security system implementation of complex, enterprise-grade, and hybrid cloud architecture is covered in this material. It is one of the most wonderful resources and is efficient enough to polish the candidate’s understanding of the exam domains.

Ending Notes

CompTIA SY0-501 is more than an exam. It is a success-weaving means that cybersecurity aspirants can use to make big in the demanding industry and thrive in it easily. As it imparts the verified and updated subject matter expertise, the industry takes no time to welcome the certification holders. However, it is necessary to take the help of verified and updated books. They are perfect self-study resources. Amazon has a whole bunch of them.