CompTIA Security+ in India: Cost, Exam and Cybersecurity Jobs

Last updated: 8 October 2026 · By the Asuraa Team

Quick answer: CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral, entry-level cybersecurity certification. The exam has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, and you need 750 on a 100-900 scale to pass. As of October 2026, V7 (SY0-701) is the live version, and CompTIA expects V8 (SY0-801) around 17 November 2026. English V7 retires on 11 June 2027. The certification must be renewed every three years.

Key takeaways

• Security+ V7 (SY0-701) and V8 (SY0-801) both have up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, and you need 750 on a 100-900 scale to pass.
• CompTIA expects to launch Security+ V8 on or around 17 November 2026, at first in English only.
• The English SY0-701 exam retires on 11 June 2027, and the Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai versions retire on 13 August 2027.
• In V8, General Security Concepts rises to 16% and Security Program Management falls to 14%, and there is a new objective on AI security risks.
• Security+ must be renewed within three years through CompTIA's continuing education programme, unless it was earned before 1 January 2011.

CompTIA Security+ is one of the most widely recognised entry-level cybersecurity certifications in the world, and it is changing this year. A new version, V8 (SY0-801), is due in November 2026, and the current V7 (SY0-701) stays available until mid-2027. If you are in India and planning to take Security+, which version to sit is now the first decision to make. This guide covers both versions, what the certification costs to keep, and how much it helps for Indian cybersecurity jobs.

What is CompTIA Security+?

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification covering core security skills: threats, security architecture, security operations and governance. CompTIA links it to roles such as security analyst, security engineer and systems administrator (CompTIA). Vendor-neutral means it does not tie you to a single product such as AWS, Azure or Palo Alto. That suits freshers who don't yet know which technology stack they will work on.

CompTIA recommends having Network+ and around two years in a security or systems administration role before attempting it (CompTIA Security+ V7). That is a recommendation, not a requirement, so anyone can book the exam.

What is the Security+ exam pattern (SY0-701 vs SY0-801)?

Both versions have a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 750 on a 100-900 scale. The main differences are the domain weights, the languages offered and the dates.

Sources: Security+ V7, Security+ V8.

Performance-based questions ask you to carry out a task in a simulated environment, for example configuring a firewall rule or matching attacks to their mitigations. They take longer than multiple-choice questions, so plan your time with that in mind.

What topics does Security+ cover?

Security operations carries the most weight in both versions, and V8 puts more emphasis on threats and AI-related risk. Domain weights from CompTIA:

CompTIA's V8 page highlights a new objective on AI security risks, along with more focus on cloud and hybrid environments, Zero Trust and AI-assisted security workflows (CompTIA). In practice, for either version, you need to understand:

• common attacks (phishing, malware, injection, privilege escalation) and how to mitigate each;
• identity and access management, cryptography basics and PKI;
• network and cloud security architecture, segmentation and Zero Trust;
• monitoring, logging, vulnerability management and incident response;
• risk management, policies, compliance and third-party risk.

Should you take SY0-701 or wait for SY0-801?

If you are already well into preparing, take SY0-701. If you are just starting, prepare for SY0-801. V7 in English stays available until 11 June 2027, which gives anyone in the middle of preparation plenty of time (CompTIA). If you start studying now, by the time you are ready V8 will have launched and its study material will be more current, especially on AI and cloud security.

A simple way to decide:

1. Over halfway through V7 material? Book SY0-701 within the next few months.
2. Not started yet? Wait for the official SY0-801 objectives and study for V8.
3. Need a language other than English? V8 launches in English only, so V7 may be your only option until translations arrive.

Both versions lead to the same certification, so employers will not treat a V7 pass as less valuable.

How much does Security+ cost in India, and does it expire?

CompTIA sells Security+ exam vouchers and bundles through its online store, and the price you pay depends on your region. As of October 2026, the Security+ certification pages do not list a fixed rupee figure. Check the store from India before you budget. The V7 page lists three bundles that include a voucher with Retake Assurance: CertMaster Practice, CertMaster Learn, and a Complete bundle with Learn, Labs and Practice (CompTIA). If you are worried about failing, a bundle with a retake can cost less than paying for a second attempt separately.

Security+ does expire. CompTIA gives you three years from the date you earn or renew it to meet its continuing education (CE) requirements (CompTIA help centre). The ways to renew, according to CompTIA's CE programme page, are:

• pass the latest version of the Security+ exam;
• earn a higher-level CompTIA certification that renews Security+;
• complete a CertMaster CE course for Security+, which includes the CE fee;
• earn CEUs through approved training, work or community activities, then pay the CE fee.

The only exception is Security+ earned before 1 January 2011, which is "good for life".

Is Security+ worth it for cybersecurity jobs in India?

Security+ is worth it if you are a fresher or a system or network administrator moving into security. It is less useful if you already hold advanced security credentials. Indian employers use it as a recognised baseline for security analyst and SOC roles, and its broad, vendor-neutral coverage is good preparation for interviews.

Keep two things in mind. First, it is an entry-level certification, and CompTIA's own recommendation of two years' admin experience shows it is not meant to replace hands-on skill. Second, for offensive security roles, some Indian employers ask specifically for CEH or more practical certifications. Our guide to CEH certification in India compares that route.

For the full career picture, see the cybersecurity career roadmap for India. For pay ranges, see cybersecurity engineer salary in India.

What do most guides on CompTIA Security+ get wrong?

Most guides are now out of date on the version and treat the certification as permanent. Corrections:

• The current exam code is changing. Guides that only mention SY0-701 miss the V8 (SY0-801) launch expected in November 2026, and the new domain weights that come with it.
• It is not lifetime. Apart from certifications earned before 2011, Security+ follows a three-year CE cycle, so plan your renewal.
• 750 is not 75%. The score runs on a 100-900 scale, so 750 is a scaled score, not a percentage.
• Experience is recommended, not required. Freshers can take the exam. Just make up for the missing admin experience with home labs.

How should you prepare for Security+?

Most people with basic networking knowledge need eight to twelve weeks. A practical plan:

1. Download the official exam objectives for your version and use them as your checklist.
2. Fill networking gaps first: TCP/IP, ports, DNS, subnetting and firewalls. Our guide to Linux skills for IT jobs covers the command-line basics you will need.
3. Build a home lab: a couple of virtual machines, a SIEM or log tool, and a vulnerable test app to practise on.
4. Study the highest-weighted domains first, security operations and threats, which together make up about half the exam.
5. Practise performance-based questions under timed conditions.
6. Book the exam once your practice scores are consistently well above the pass mark.

FAQ

What is the passing score for CompTIA Security+?

The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 for both SY0-701 and the upcoming SY0-801. It is a scaled score, not a percentage, so you can't convert it directly into a number of correct answers. Both versions have up to 90 questions, including multiple-choice and performance-based items, in 90 minutes.

When does Security+ SY0-701 retire?

CompTIA lists the retirement date for the English SY0-701 exam as 11 June 2027. The Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai versions retire on 13 August 2027. The new V8 exam, SY0-801, is expected on or around 17 November 2026, in English only at launch, so candidates who need another language may have to stay on V7.

Should I take SY0-701 or SY0-801?

If you are well into your SY0-701 preparation, book it before English V7 retires in June 2027. If you are just starting, study for SY0-801, which launches around 17 November 2026 and covers AI security risks, cloud and Zero Trust more thoroughly. Both lead to the same Security+ certification.

Does CompTIA Security+ expire?

Yes. CompTIA gives you three years from the date you earn or renew Security+ to meet its continuing education requirements. You can renew by passing the latest exam, earning a higher-level CompTIA certification, completing a CertMaster CE course, or submitting approved CEUs and paying the CE fee. Only Security+ earned before 2011 is good for life.

Can a fresher in India take Security+?

Yes. CompTIA recommends Network+ and about two years of security or systems administration experience, but it does not require them. Freshers can make up the gap by learning networking fundamentals and practising in a home lab with virtual machines, log tools and vulnerable test apps before booking the exam.

Is Security+ better than CEH for jobs in India?

They serve different goals. Security+ is a broad, vendor-neutral foundation in security concepts and operations, which suits SOC and analyst roles. CEH focuses on ethical hacking techniques and is often requested for offensive security positions. Many freshers start with Security+ for the fundamentals and add a more specialised certification later.

Final thoughts

Security+ remains a strong, vendor-neutral starting point for an Indian cybersecurity career. Pick your version carefully this year and back it with hands-on lab work. If you'd like a working security professional to review your plan, you can book a 1:1 session on Asuraa Mentors.