Studying for the CompTIA CySA+ exam? Here are the best free and low-cost tools, labs, cheat sheets, and quizzes to boost your chances of success.
🧪 Practice Quizzes
- Free CySA+ Practice Quiz – Randomized questions with feedback and scoring
- CompTIA CASP+ Practice Quiz
- Linux+ Practice Quiz
- Network+ Practice Quiz
- A+ Practice Quiz
📖 Study Guides & PDFs
🔧 Cybersecurity Tools to Know
Nessus
Industry-leading vulnerability scanner for identifying security flaws.
Nmap
Network scanning tool used for host discovery and port scanning.
Burp Suite
Web app security testing platform widely used for penetration testing.
Splunk
SIEM and log analysis platform for threat detection and response.
Wireshark
Packet analyzer used for network traffic inspection and troubleshooting.
Kali Linux
Linux distro loaded with pentesting and forensic tools.
VirusTotal
Scan files and URLs for viruses and malware with multiple engines.
Shodan
Search engine for internet-connected devices and vulnerabilities.
Metasploit
Powerful open-source framework for developing, testing, and executing exploits against remote targets. Widely used in penetration testing.
🧑💻 Popular CySA+ Lab Providers
Several platforms offer hands-on labs specifically designed to help candidates prepare for the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification. These labs provide practical experience with tools, techniques, and scenarios aligned to the exam objectives.
💼 CompTIA CertMaster Labs
Official labs covering security operations, threat intelligence, vulnerability assessments, incident response, and communication best practices. Accessible on web, iOS, and Android.
1-year license🧠 Cybrary
CS0-002 and CS0-003 labs: DNS harvesting, packet sniffing, SIEM tools, vulnerability scanning, and more.
Free account required🎓 Dion Training
12-module practice lab simulating real-world CySA+ scenarios including operations, incident response, and reporting.
12 months access📘 101 Labs
Step-by-step labs focused on configuring and troubleshooting CySA+ tools. Includes practice exams and updated for CS0-003.
Updated for CS0-003🔬 NDG (NETLAB+)
Behavioral analytics labs using threat detection tools to identify vulnerabilities and risks. Delivered via NETLAB+.
NETLAB+ required🌐 Additional Community and Practice Resources
These platforms offer free or low-cost hands-on exercises, Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, and real-world scenarios to help sharpen your cybersecurity skills in line with CySA+ objectives.
🛡 TryHackMe
Offers a structured Cyber Defense learning path with hands-on content covering detection, response, and security operations concepts useful for CySA+ prep.
🔍 CyberDefenders
Challenge-based platform with Splunk, Wireshark, and threat hunting exercises. Great for practicing detection and analysis in real-world-like scenarios.
📊 Malware Traffic Analysis
Archive of real-world PCAPs and walk-throughs for practicing network traffic analysis, malware identification, and incident response techniques.
🧠 VulnHub / Hack The Box
Offers virtual machines and labs with a variety of CTF-style challenges. While broader than CySA+, they build essential hands-on experience in enumeration, scanning, and exploitation.
📋 Cheat Sheets
🗨 Study Groups
🔁 This list is updated regularly. Bookmark it and come back when you need guidance or motivation. Good luck on your CySA+ journey!