CySA+ Explained: What the Certification Covers and Who It’s For

Key takeaways

Tech professionals interested in vulnerability management and incident response can earn the CompTIA CySA+ certification to validate their skill set.

• The cybersecurity industry is growing, with jobs for information security analysts projected to increase by 29 percent between 2024 and 2034, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1].

• The CompTIA CySA+ certification tests your knowledge of four key areas: security operations, vulnerability management, incident response management, and reporting and communication.

• You can earn the CySA+ to prepare for various roles in cybersecurity, including cybersecurity analyst, incident responder, and vulnerability analyst.

Learn more about the CySA+ certification, including how much it costs, how to earn it, and what careers it can prepare you for. If you’re ready to start building your cybersecurity skills, consider enrolling in the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate. In as little as four months, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the job-ready skills you need to gain an entry-level role in cybersecurity. By the end, you’ll have earned a career credential to showcase on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

What is a CompTIA CySA+ certification?

CompTIA CySA+, or CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst, is an intermediate-level certification that tests your incident protection, detection, and response skills. By earning this certification, you’ll show potential employers that you know how to identify vulnerabilities in your organization and develop effective strategies to mitigate cybersecurity threats.

Holding this certification indicates you can perform incident response, improve your organization’s security operations processes, and use tools to spot malicious activity. This CompTIA certification also validates your communication skills, ensuring you can explain cybersecurity threats to key stakeholders. These skills can help you excel in a rapidly growing field. According to the BLS, jobs for information security analysts are projected to grow by 29 percent between 2024 and 2034 [1].

CySA+ certification cost

The CompTIA CySA+ certification exam costs $425 [2]. After purchasing your voucher, you have 12 months to complete your exam. You can also purchase an exam voucher with retake assurance, allowing you to take the exam twice if necessary. The exam plus retake assurance costs $474 [2]. 

You can also choose to enroll in exam preparation through CompTIA or another provider, which may increase your costs but ensures you’re well-prepared for the exam. For example, by completing the CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) Specialization, you’ll have the chance to learn how to detect and analyze malicious activity across networks in preparation for the CySA+ exam.

How long does it take to prepare for CySA+ certification?

Preparation for the CySA+ certification can vary from weeks to months, depending on whether you complete an exam prep class or choose self-study options. You can expect to study for two to six months, about 10 to 15 hours a week. However, the exact amount of time it takes you to prepare for the certification exam depends on your cybersecurity knowledge and experience level.

Who should get a CySA+ certification?

CySA+ certification is suitable for information technology (IT) professionals with foundational cybersecurity knowledge. In addition to the following occupations, CompTIA recommends this certification for individuals with experience working in incident response analyst or security operations center analyst roles. 

Early-career cybersecurity professionals

After gaining a few years of experience in IT or cybersecurity, the CySA+ certification can be a logical next step to enhance your skill set. If you’re working as a cybercrime investigator, cybersecurity specialist, or IT auditor, you can earn the CySA+ certification to validate your skills in incident response and vulnerability management. 

Security analysts and incident responders

Security analysts devise strategies to minimize cyber threats and implement those plans to protect an organization from cybercrime. Similarly, incident responders develop security measures, identify system vulnerabilities, and respond to security breaches. These professionals can benefit from the CompTIA CySA+ certification, as it validates best practices for communication in vulnerability management and incident response reporting.

Network and systems administrators

Network and systems administrators establish, install, and monitor their organizations’ network hardware and software. By earning the CySA+ certification, they’ll have the chance to demonstrate their knowledge in enhancing security operations processes, conducting vulnerability assessments, and implementing mitigation strategies.

Threat intelligence specialists

Threat intelligence specialists, or analysts, focus on detecting threats and malware. By earning the CySA+ certification, these IT professionals can validate their skills working with security information and event management (SIEM) tools and threat intelligence and hunting.

IT professionals transitioning into security roles

IT professionals, such as IT support specialists or systems administrators, can use the skills they develop by earning the CySA+ certification to transition into cybersecurity roles. The CompTIA certification tests these professionals on topics such as vulnerability scanning, mitigation controls, and incident response activities.

Employers looking to standardize cybersecurity skills

Organizations can broaden their cybersecurity team’s knowledge by encouraging them to earn the CompTIA CySA+ certification. Through certification, employees can demonstrate their knowledge of vulnerability management and incident response reporting to streamline operations.

How to get the CompTIA CySA+ certification

Earning your CompTIA CySA+ certification requires gaining experience, studying, and successfully completing the exam. Follow these steps to earn your certification and enhance your cybersecurity skills.

1. Gain practical experience.

Working as an IT or cybersecurity professional is essential before you sit for the CySA+ exam. As a cybersecurity analyst, incident response analyst, or security operations center (SOC) analyst, you’ll develop foundational knowledge that will help you prepare for the exam.

2. Prepare for the exam.

Dedicate several weeks or months to studying for the CySA+ exam. You can explore self-study options available through CompTIA or enroll in a course or boot camp designed to prepare you for the test.

3. Take the exam. 

You can sit for the CySA+ certification exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or take a proctored exam online. The exam includes up to 85 multiple-choice and performance-based questions and takes 165 minutes to complete. You’ll need to earn a minimum score of 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 to pass [3].

CySA+ certification requirements

The CompTIA CySA+ is an intermediate-level certification, meaning it requires some professional experience. You should have four or more years of hands-on experience working as an incident response analyst, SOC analyst, or an equivalent role. Additionally, CompTIA recommends, but does not require, earning the Security+ or Network+ certifications before pursuing the CySA+.

What’s on the CySA+ exam?

CompTIA divides the CySA+ exam into four topic areas, including security operations, vulnerability and incident response management, and reporting and communication. Learn more about each area in greater detail.

• Security operations: Representing 33 percent of the exam, this section focuses on system and network architecture, indicators of malicious activity, tools and techniques for detecting malicious activity, threat intelligence and hunting, and process improvement. 

• Vulnerability management: Vulnerability management topics, which make up 30 percent of the exam, include vulnerability scanning, prioritization, and response; assessment tool output; and mitigation controls.

• Incident response management: About 20 percent of the exam covers incident response management, with topics that include attack methodology frameworks, incident response activities, and the incident management life cycle. 

• Reporting and communication: Representing 17 percent of the exam, reporting and communication topics include vulnerability management and incident response reporting, which help ensure you can deliver insights to stakeholders and decision-makers. 

CySA+ salary information

Many cybersecurity roles pay higher-than-average salaries, and a CySA+ certification may lead to a salary boost. For example, the median total pay for a cybersecurity analyst is $130,000, a threat intelligence analyst earns $149,000, and a cybersecurity engineer makes $161,000 [4, 5, 6].

As you advance in your career, you can move into senior roles, such as senior cybersecurity engineer, where you may earn $222,000 [7]. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

The salary information above is the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include both base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other forms of compensation.

What jobs can you get with the CySA+ certification?

Earning a CySA+ certification tests your knowledge and demonstrates your experience in key cybersecurity topics, including detecting and analyzing malicious activity, threat hunting, and performing incident response. It can prepare you for a number of roles in the growing cybersecurity industry.

Cybersecurity analyst

As a cybersecurity analyst, you’ll monitor your organization’s network for any security breaches, protect sensitive information using firewalls and data encryption programs, and recommend and implement security enhancements. By evaluating weaknesses and monitoring threats, you can make your organization’s network as secure as possible.

Security operations center (SOC) analyst

As an SOC analyst, you'll be the first person to respond to security incidents and evaluate their severity. Before security concerns arise, you’ll analyze your organization’s network to identify vulnerabilities and research and document information security issues to share with stakeholders. 

Incident responder

Like SOC analysts, incident responders investigate and address cybersecurity threats and breaches. In this role, you’ll work to respond to the threat as quickly as possible to mitigate its impact on the organization. Once you’ve resolved the security issue, you’ll investigate it using forensic analysis to minimize its impact and recurrence. 

Threat intelligence analyst

A threat intelligence analyst supports an IT team by assessing the threat level of an attack, enabling IT to make informed decisions. In this role, you’ll assist with current attacks and help prevent future cyberattacks by gathering data and intelligence. 

Vulnerability analyst

As a vulnerability analyst, you’ll focus on detecting weaknesses in your organization’s network and software that may increase the risk of a cyberattack. You’ll identify and track vulnerabilities, recommend and implement mitigation strategies, and establish organization-wide vulnerability management policies. 

Information security analyst

Information security analysts, like other professionals in the cybersecurity field, work to protect their organizations from cybercrimes. You’ll monitor your organization’s network, hardware, and software to ensure appropriate protections, such as firewalls and encryption programs, are in place.

Network security analyst

A network security analyst is a multifaceted role that involves monitoring your organization’s hardware and software to detect and mitigate security threats. In this role, you’ll monitor networks for signs of an attack, minimize the impact of incoming threats, and stay updated on emerging threats to better protect your organization.

Cybersecurity engineer 

As a junior security engineer, you’ll work alongside a larger security engineering team to build the systems that protect your organization from threats. You’ll rely on electrical engineering and computer science skills to develop and deploy security solutions and keep digital assets protected.

Read more: 10 Cybersecurity Jobs to Know: Entry-Level and Beyond

Explore free resources for your cybersecurity career

Browse through skills assessments, career path guidance, and tips for preparing for an interview with our Career Resources Hub. Or, check out these free resources to learn more about cybersecurity:

• Build your knowledge: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions

• Hear from a learner: Meet the IT Support Tech Advancing Toward a Cybersecurity Career

• Consider your options: Cybersecurity Career Spotlight: What it is and how to get started

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