Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated, and organizations need professionals who can do more than identify risks—they need analysts who can investigate, prioritize and respond to threats in real-world environments
That’s where CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) comes in.
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is an intermediate-level, vendor-neutral cybersecurity certification that validates the practical skills needed to detect, analyze, and respond to security threats in a Security Operations Center (SOC).
Positioned in the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway between Security+ and SecurityX, CySA+ focuses on applied security operations, vulnerability management, incident response, and threat detection.
Updated for the new CS0-004 exam, CySA+ reflects the realities of modern cybersecurity, including cloud environments, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven security operations, and advanced threat-hunting techniques.
Fast facts about CompTIA CySA+
- Certification: CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- Current exam version: V4 (CS0-004)
- Recommended experience: Approximately 4 years of hands-on experience in a SOC analyst (Level 2) or vulnerability analyst role
- Passing score: 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
- Question types: Multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs)
- Approved by: U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8140.03M
- Accreditation: ISO 17024 compliant
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:
- Security analyst
- Security operations center (SOC) analyst
- Vulnerability analyst
- Threat intelligence analyst
- Security engineer/operations
- Incident responder/incident response analyst
- Application security analyst
- Compliance/risk analyst
What does CompTIA CySA+ validate?
CompTIA CySA+ is designed for cybersecurity professionals who want to move beyond foundational security concepts and develop the practical skills required to defend organizations against evolving threats.
The certification validates a candidate’s ability to:
- Analyze security data from multiple monitoring and logging sources
- Detect malicious activity and indicators of compromise
- Conduct vulnerability assessments and prioritize remediation efforts
- Participate in incident response and digital forensic investigations
- Apply security frameworks and controls to reduce organizational risk
- Communicate findings and recommendations to technical and business stakeholders
Unlike certifications that focus on a single vendor’s tools, CySA+ emphasizes the underlying methodologies and analytical skills that apply across different security environments.
What’s new in CySA+ V4?
The V4 version of CySA+ introduces several updates designed to align with today’s cybersecurity landscape.
New and expanded focus areas include:
Artificial intelligence in security operations
As organizations increasingly use AI-powered security tools, analysts must understand both the benefits and risks of AI. CySA+ V4 introduces objectives related to:
- AI-assisted threat detection
- AI governance concepts
- Model poisoning and manipulation risks
- AI-generated outputs and hallucinations
- Responsible use of AI within security operations
Zero trust and modern security architecture
The updated exam places greater emphasis on Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA), identity-based security controls, and cloud-centric environments.
Advanced vulnerability prioritization
Rather than simply identifying vulnerabilities, cybersecurity teams must determine which issues pose the greatest risk. CySA+ V4 incorporates concepts such as:
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)
- Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
- Risk-based vulnerability management
- Threat-informed prioritization strategies
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
CySA+ V3 (CS0-003) retirement timeline
Candidates should be aware that the previous CySA+ exam version, V3 (CS0-003), remains available for a transition period. The English-language V3 exam is scheduled to retire in December 2026, giving candidates time to choose which version best fits their preparation timeline.
How does CySA+ compare to other cybersecurity certifications?
Many cybersecurity professionals evaluating CySA+ are also considering certifications such as Microsoft SC-200, CISSP, or GIAC certifications.
The key difference is that CySA+ focuses on vendor-neutral security operations skills.
For example, a vendor-specific certification, such as Microsoft SC-200 teaches analysts how to investigate and respond to threats within Microsoft’s security ecosystem. CySA+ teaches the behavioral analytics, threat-hunting methodologies and incident response processes that apply regardless of whether an organization uses Microsoft Sentinel, Splunk, QRadar, or another platform.
This makes CySA+ particularly valuable for professionals who want flexibility throughout their careers rather than expertise tied to a single technology stack.
What is on the CySA+ V4 exam?
CompTIA CySA+ combines traditional multiple-choice questions with performance-based questions that require candidates to apply their knowledge in realistic security scenarios.
The V4 exam covers four domains:
- Security Operations (34%): Candidates must demonstrate the ability to monitor environments, detect threats, conduct threat hunting, and leverage security tools to identify suspicious activity.
- Vulnerability Management (26%): This domain focuses on identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities using modern risk-based approaches.
- Incident Response (24%): Candidates are expected to analyze incidents, coordinate response activities, investigate evidence, and support recovery efforts.
- Reporting and Communication (16%): Security professionals must communicate findings effectively, document incidents, and provide recommendations to technical and business audiences.
Successful candidates should be able to collect and analyze security data, interpret vulnerability scan results, participate in incident investigations, and recommend appropriate controls to reduce organizational risk.
How should I prepare for the CySA+ exam?
Because CySA+ emphasizes hands-on skills, preparation should combine conceptual learning with practical experience.
CompTIA’s training ecosystem includes:
- CertMaster Learn for structured instruction and exam objectives
- CertMaster Labs for guided hands-on practice
- CertMaster Practice for exam preparation and knowledge reinforcement
- CertMaster Perform for real-world cybersecurity skill development and performance-based training
Using multiple learning tools can help candidates build the practical experience needed to succeed on performance-based questions and apply their skills in actual cybersecurity environments.
Ready to take the next step toward CySA+ certification?
Build the practical cybersecurity skills employers need with CompTIA CySA+ training. Explore the latest exam objectives, strengthen your threat detection and incident response knowledge, and prepare with hands-on learning tools designed for the CySA+ V4 exam.
Start preparing for CompTIA CySA+ today and move your cybersecurity career forward.