CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is an IT workforce certification that applies behavioral analytics to networks and devices to prevent, detect, and combat cybersecurity threats.
CompTIA CySA+ is the only intermediate high-stakes cybersecurity analyst certification with performance-based questions covering the following topics:
- Security analytics
- Intrusion detection
- Response
CompTIA CySA+ is the most up-to-date security analyst certification that covers advanced persistent threats in a post-2014 cybersecurity environment.
What job roles should take the exam?
CompTIA CySA+ is for IT cybersecurity professionals with three to four years of hands-on information security or related experience or equivalent training looking to start or advance a career in cybersecurity analytics. CompTIA CySA+ prepares candidates for the following job roles:
- IT security analyst
- Security operations center (SOC) analyst
- Vulnerability analyst
- Cybersecurity specialist
- Threat intelligence analyst
- Security engineer
- Cybersecurity analyst
How much can I make with CompTIA CySA+ certification?
To get an idea about average CompTIA CySA+ jobs and their salaries, take a look at these job titles and their salaries:
- Security analyst: $95,510
- Security operations center (SOC) analyst: $91,015
- Cybersecurity specialist: $107,090
What is on the exam?
CompTIA CySA+ is the only intermediate cybersecurity analyst certification with performance-based questions covering security analytics, intrusion detection, and response. Successful candidates will have the following skills:
- Identify tools and techniques to use to perform an environmental reconnaissance of a target network or security system
- Collect, analyze, and interpret security data from multiple log and monitoring sources
- Use network host and web application vulnerability assessment tools and interpret the results to provide effective mitigation
- Understand and remediate identity management, authentication, and access control issues
- Participate in a senior role within an incident response team and use forensic tools to identify the source of an attack
- Understand the use of frameworks, policies, and procedures and report on security architecture with recommendations for effective compensating controls
The CompTIA CySA+ exam covers the following domains and topics:
- Threat Management: Implement or recommend the appropriate response and countermeasure to a network-based threat
- Vulnerability Management: Compare and contrast common vulnerabilities found in an organization
- Cyber-Incident Response: Summarize the incident recovery and post-incident response process
- Security Architecture and Tool Sets: Review security architecture and make recommendations to implement compensating controls
Review the detailed exam objectives.
Who is CompTIA?
CompTIA, Inc. is dedicated to unlocking potential for students, career changers, and professionals pursuing technology careers. Through education, training, certifications, and research, it promotes industry growth, builds a skilled workforce, and ensures technology's benefits are accessible to everyone.
Ready to advance your skill level in cybersecurity?
CompTIA now offers several exam training options for CySA+ to fit your particular learning style and schedule. Many of these may be used in combination as you prepare for your exam.
There’s a wealth of information to take you all the way from deciding if CompTIA CySA+ is suitable for you to taking your exam. We’re with you every step of the way!