How CompTIA CySA+ Is Worth It?

In this article, we explain whether CompTIA CySA+ is worth your time and effort. We also have a comparison of the CySA+ with the PenTest +.

When considering professional certification, a person will usually wonder if it is worth the time and effort to pass the exam. Since CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst + (CySA+) is a more recent exam, many potential candidates have asked if the CySA+ is worth it.

So is CompTIA CySA+ worth it? If you are currently working or trying to apply for a cybersecurity job and want a highly respected professional certification added to your resume, while expanding your existing cybersecurity knowledge, CompTIA CySA+ may be a good fit option for you.

While this answer may seem simple, you might be wondering what makes CompTIA CySA+ worth the time and effort. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the reasons CompTIA CySA+ is considered a highly recommended professional certification.

CySA+ experience required

Most current technical certifications will have a recommended amount of experience that you should have before attempting to take an exam. CompTIA CySA+ is no exception to this rule. Some of the other higher-level exams will require you to apply to take the exam, request your professional and professional experience, and some will even require you to have a certified person who has already passed the exam. For CompTIA + CySA+ there are no prerequisites as mentioned above, anyone can take the exam, regardless of their current level of experience. However, CompTIA recommends that you have at least 3 to 4 years of relevant practical experience in the field of information security or have passed the CompTIA Network + and Security + certifications.

The CySA+ exam is not too expensive

For someone who is just starting a career in cybersecurity, the actual cost of the exam is of great concern. The current price for the CySA+ exam is $ 349, which is considered a bit cheaper than other mid-level certifications which can easily cost over $ 600. The cost of the exam, in the long run, will be worth it if you decide to seek employment in the cybersecurity career field, given the benefits that certification can apply to your career.

CySA+ is approved by the Department of Defense (DoD) as a benchmark certification 8570

The DoD developed Directive 8570 which guides the training, certification and management of DoD personnel. When CompTIA CySA+ certification is recognized by the DoD, it means DoD recognizes its value and validity. The DoD has approved CompTIA CySA+ as a DoD 8570 basic certification in 5 different occupational categories. Four of these categories correspond to various cybersecurity service provider (CSSP) jobs and one corresponds to a level two Information Assurance Technical (IAT) job.

CySA+ doesn’t take long to learn

How long will it take to prepare for CySA+? It depends on many factors including how long you have been in cybersecurity, if at all, how familiar you are with the topic, and how much free time you have to successfully prepare for the exam. CompTIA has an accredited partner program where you can find hands-on training courses. These courses are much more expensive than the exam itself, however, the course material is concentrated reducing the total course duration to five days of 8 hours of instructor-led instruction, classroom learning. As an additional means of study, you can also read exam books and study guides that cover the CompTIA CySA+ CS0-001 exam in detail and complete practice issues online to bolster your subject knowledge before planning. your review.

The bottom line is that the more study material you review, the more likely you are to pass this exam. Spending a few hours, a day for about two months should be enough to study. Again, this also depends on your level of information retention and existing knowledge on the subject.

CySA+ becomes very popular

Whenever you are looking for professional certifications, you will want to know if you are well known and respected in the field. CompTIA CySA+ was launched in early 2017 but has since gained a lot of respect in the field. CompTIA CySA+ is a vendor-independent certification that allows you to gain more value in a variety of job categories. It is also one of the DoD 8570 benchmark certifications, further strengthening its compliance and validity in the field. CompTIA CySA+ has become very popular among cybersecurity personnel.

How does CySA+ compare to PenTest + and similar tests?

You might be wondering how CySA+ compares to similar cybersecurity exams in terms of difficulty and material. The CySA+ exam is intended to be combined with PenTest + to bridge the gap between the CompTIA Security + exam, which is more generalized and lowered, and the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP +), which is the highest certification. level offered by CompTIA in the context of cybersecurity. CySA+ cannot be compared to PenTest + because they are opposite. Simply put, CySA+ certification focuses on defense techniques and skills or “blue team”, while PenTest + focuses on attack techniques and skills or “red team”.

If you compare the CompTIA CySA+ to the EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker exam, then CySA+ is better and worse than CEH. The CompTIA CySA+ is more affordable, comprehensive, and convenient than the CEH. However, the CEH is better known and respected by employers.

While both exams share similar exam objectives, the CySA+ has practice simulations/problems where the CEH is multiple choice. The main difference between the two is how the exams look in terms of complexity. CEH is better known and respected among employers during the hiring process, while CompTIA + CySA+ is more respected within the technical community itself.

What to expect from CySA+?

When preparing for an exam, you should carefully consider the objectives of the exam. These are easy to find with a quick Google search. Exam objectives for the CompTIA CySA+ certification exam include threat management, cyber incident response, architecture, and vulnerability and security toolkits. Before taking the exam, you should familiarize yourself with a few recommended tools, primarily Wireshark, Bro, and/or Snort, at a minimum.

How difficult is the CySA+ exam?

When taking an exam, you should consider what the exam covers and the general level of difficulty. CompTIA CySA+ exam have several simulation-style questions and standard multiple-choice questions. This adds to the difficulty of the test. A considerable part of the test relates to log files and attack recognition techniques. Having said that, the exam is not easy, but it is also not entirely difficult. Again, using CompTIA CySA+ study guides, taking CompTIA CySA+ CS0-002 exam dumps, and familiarizing yourself with the tools of the trade is key to passing any technical exam.

What salary can a CySA+ expect?

When it comes to determining the value of a certification, it’s important to consider how much your salary could increase in the long run. The average technical professional, with an active CompTIA CySA+ certification, can earn around $ 80,000 to $ 90,000 in salary per year. This number will fluctuate depending on your level of experience, as this person new to the field tends to earn a little less than people with more years of experience in the same technical field.
While the CompTIA CySA+ certification does not directly increase your salary, it will give you more career paths to choose from. Having a CompTIA CySA+ certification will also make you more marketable to employers and give you an edge over other people competing for the same position.

What is the CySA+ take-back policy?

The CompTIA CySA+ repeat policy is simple. After the first attempt, there is no mandatory waiting period for your next exam. Any subsequent attempt will require a 14-day waiting period before your next attempt.

How long is the CySA+ certification valid?

Like most of CompTIA other certifications, the CySA+ is also valid for three years after the result of your CYSA+ exam.

What does it take to recertify CySA+?

The CySA+ requires 60 (CEUs) for recertification. These PDUs can be acquired through training and certification activities. You will also have to pay a fee for your continuing education. For CompTIA CySA+, you will need to pay $50 each year to submit your completed events/training to CEU. You will be charged this $ 50fee based on the time elapsed since the exam date, not the calendar year. You can also retake the latest version of the exam, take a higher-level CompTIA certification, or take a CompTIA Passin1day course to meet recertification requirements. If you currently have lower-level CompTIA certifications, they will also be renewed after you renew your higher-level certification.