Taking and passing the CompTIA SY0-601 exam is necessary for obtaining the CompTIA Security+ certification. It validates the candidates’ skills in installing and configuring secure applications and systems as well as devices and networks.

Candidates for CompTIA SY0-601 Exam

The professionals who enroll in the CompTIA SY0-601 exam are mostly those interested in building a successful career in security since this test helps them to consolidate their knowledge of the most important functions in the security field. Therefore, the target audience for SY0-601 is formed of individuals who work as security or systems administrators, network and cloud engineers, or help desk managers. Also, if you work as a security engineer, IT project manager or auditor, or in a position of DevOps or software developer, then you will find this test very helpful for your career. The candidates will have the opportunity to validate their practical ability to perform security tasks and learn the latest techniques and tools they can use to find solutions to complex issues.

CompTIA SY0-601 Exam Details

Exam SY0-601 includes a maximum of 90 questions. The candidates should be prepared for a quite difficult assessment as they will need to answer performance-based and multiple-choice inquiries. The exam’s length is of 90 minutes. And to earn the CompTIA Security+ certification, the test-takers should obtain a minimum score of 750 points out of 900. The CompTIA SY0-601 exam is available in different languages. The applicants can choose to take it in English or Japanese.

While the vendor doesn’t have any mandatory eligibility conditions for candidates, it still has some recommendations. Thus, the IT professionals who decide to take the CompTIA SY0-601 test are recommended to gain the CompTIA Network+ certification first. Therefore, they will get used to the CompTIA exams’ structure and develop a solid knowledge of basic networking concepts. Besides, the vendor recommends applicants to have a minimum of two years of practical experience in administrating IT tasks, focusing primarily on the security domain. Finally, there is a registration fee that the candidates need to pay for this exam, and it is $370.

Topics Tested in CompTIA SY0-601 Exam

The first step that the candidates need to take when they start preparing for the CompTIA SY0-601 exam is going through the official blueprint. This material includes information on the most important skills that the applicants need to develop to get the passing score in the test from the first attempt. Also, it helps the candidates get a clear view of the exam’s main objectives and its pattern. Speaking in detail, the knowledge areas and minute concepts one needs to master include the following:

• Managing threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities

  The first thing to familiarize yourself with when preparing for SY0-601 exam includes the principles of identifying and preventing common threats and attacks from breaking down the network’s security. To learn this topic completely, the candidates also need to become skilled in managing the latest custom devices and mitigating any vulnerabilities that might appear while using them on the Internet. In addition, the candidates will be asked to become experienced in using embedded and IoT devices, as well as gain competence in identifying and preventing DDoS and social engineering attacks by analyzing the current events.

• Developing incident and operations response plans

  When they enroll in the CompTIA SY0-601 exam, the candidates have to know how to develop an organizational security assessment. Also, within this domain, the applicants will learn how to develop and implement procedures that help in incident response. This section also requires one to demonstrate an understanding of how to detect basic threats and how to handle risk mitigation techniques effectively. Additionally, the test-takers should gain knowledge of managing security controls and obtain expertise in the domain of basic digital forensics.

• Understanding design and architecture concepts

  Within this chapter, the test-takers will learn about how to design and manage an enterprise architecture and ensure a secure transition to the cloud. As it becomes more popular these days, the professionals who want to get certified will have to learn how to manage the transition processes to hybrid types of networks. Besides, they will need to gain advanced skills in securing the transition phases and prevent any threats and attacks that might happen.

• Using different implementation techniques

  The CompTIA SY0-601 exam syllabus includes topics that validate the candidates’ skills in managing and administering identity concepts. Also, the examinees will consolidate their ability to manage and implement PKI and basic cryptography concepts. The candidates’ chances to get the passing score from the first try will increase considerably if they demonstrate that they understand how access management, end-to-end security, and wireless tools and features work.

• Meeting compliance, risk, and governance requirements

  An expert in network security should be aware of the compliance and governance requirements that he/she needs to meet. Therefore, the last topic included in the CompTIA SY0-601 test blueprint involves detailed information related to these concepts. The candidates will expand their knowledge on developing risk analysis and following the requirements imposed by the compliance and risk regulations. Therefore, the candidates who prepare to take the CompTIA SY0-601 exam should know how to use the GDPR, SOX, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, CCPA, and NIST features and particularities.

Career Path

If you succeed in passing the CompTIA SY0-601 exam, you will become a demanded candidate for international organizations that are looking for skilled professionals to work with. This test is a valid proof of the applicants’ advanced skills in managing security concepts. Therefore, your chances to be accepted in well-paid positions get higher. For example, you can apply for the following roles:

• Security administrator
• Network engineer
• Helpdesk analyst

According to the data available on Payscale.com, a security administrator can receive an annual salary of approximately $67k. A network engineer, on the other hand, can reach an annual payment of $75k.

Certification Path

The professionals who succeed to pass the CompTIA SY0-601 exam and obtain the Security+ certification shouldn’t stop here with their accreditation path. They can enroll in the next certification process for obtaining advanced skills and strengthen their competence. For instance, one can consider earning the CompTIA CySa+ or PenTest+ certificates.