The CompTIA Security+ SY0‑701 certification is the newest update to one of the most recognized foundational cybersecurity credentials. If you studied for SY0‑601 or recently passed it, you may be wondering: Do I need to restudy for SY0‑701? In this article, we'll explore the major differences between SY0‑701 and SY0‑601, provide a domain-by-domain breakdown, and help you decide if updated materials or additional study are necessary.
This post is ideal for aspiring SOC analysts, career switchers, and IT professionals who are preparing for their next cybersecurity certification. You'll discover how the new Security+ blueprint aligns better with real-world job roles, and which areas require deeper technical understanding.
What’s New in SY0‑701?
The new exam reduces overlap and introduces clearer structure with fewer domains. It emphasizes security operations and management responsibilities more than SY0‑601.
Domain 1 – General Security Concepts
This new domain consolidates foundational topics:
- 🔒 CIA triad, risk types, and threat modeling frameworks. Learn more about the CIA triad.
- 📄 Governance, policies, and procedures. Refer to ISO/IEC 27001 for governance standards.
- 🌍 Security roles, responsibilities, and awareness training.
Domain 2 – Threats, Vulnerabilities, & Mitigations
This domain replaces several SY0‑601 topics on attacks:
- 💥 Malware types, social engineering, and supply chain threats.
- 🔧 Patch management and secure coding principles.
- 🛡️ Network segmentation and endpoint protection updates.
Domain 3 – Security Architecture
SY0‑701 aligns more closely with real-world IT environments:
- 🏛️ Secure cloud design and virtualization. Learn about AWS cloud architecture best practices.
- 🔐 Identity and access controls (MFA, federation, SSO). Refer to NIST guidelines on MFA.
- 🌐 Wireless and physical security implementations.
Domain 4 – Security Operations
Here’s where SY0‑701 shifts toward SOC-style workflows:
- 📈 Monitoring tools, SIEM and log analysis. Learn about SIEM solutions.
- 🧪 Incident response phases and reporting procedures. Refer to CISA's incident response guidance.
- 📡 Threat intelligence and forensics basics.
Domain 5 – Security Program Management
This is the newest addition, focusing on governance:
- 🗂️ Frameworks (NIST, ISO), assessments, and compliance.
- 📊 KPIs, security audits, and vendor risk management.
- 🧑💼 Security roles within DevSecOps and procurement teams.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- SY0‑701 is more focused on job roles like SOC analyst and security operations.
- SY0‑601 material still helps, but you’ll need to cover new topics like KPIs, DevSecOps and threat modeling.
- Update your labs to match new tooling and architecture objectives.