If you're thinking about earning your CompTIA Security+ certification, you've probably started seeing a new exam code: SY0-801.
SY0-801 will be the next version of the CompTIA Security+ certification exam, succeeding SY0-701. For current and future Security+ candidates, that naturally brings up a few questions.
When is SY0-801 coming? What's changing? Should you keep preparing for SY0-701? And when will updated training become available?
Here's what you need to know.
What is CompTIA Security+ SY0-801?
SY0-801 is the upcoming version of the exam associated with the CompTIA Security+ certification.
Security+ is designed to validate foundational cybersecurity knowledge and skills. As cybersecurity practices, technologies, and job responsibilities evolve, CompTIA periodically updates its certification exams and objectives.
SY0-801 represents the next update in that cycle.
It does not represent an entirely different certification. Candidates who pass the applicable Security+ exam earn the CompTIA Security+ certification.
Why is Security+ being updated?
Cybersecurity doesn't stand still.
The technologies organizations use change. Threats evolve. Security practices mature. Cloud environments, identity management, automation, governance, and other areas continue to reshape the work performed by security professionals.
Certification exams need to evolve alongside the field they're designed to assess.
That's why a new Security+ exam version matters.
The transition to SY0-801 gives CompTIA an opportunity to update the exam objectives to reflect the knowledge and skills it determines are relevant for the next generation of Security+ candidates.
What's changing from SY0-701 to SY0-801?
The complete answer will depend on the official SY0-801 exam objectives.
Those objectives provide the clearest picture of what candidates are expected to know and allow for a meaningful comparison between the two exam versions.
Once the official objectives are available, we'll break down:
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New topics introduced in SY0-801
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Topics that have been revised
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Objectives that have been removed or reduced
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Changes to the exam domains
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Changes to domain weighting, if applicable
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What those updates mean for Security+ candidates
We'll update this article as additional official information becomes available.
When will Security+ SY0-801 be released?
At the time of writing, we have not been able to verify a publicly available official SY0-801 launch date from CompTIA.
Rather than speculate, we'll update this article when an official timeline is available.
The dates worth watching include both the SY0-801 launch date and the SY0-701 retirement date.
Those dates are particularly important for anyone already studying for Security+.
Is SY0-801 replacing SY0-701?
SY0-801 is the next exam version in the Security+ certification lifecycle.
That doesn't mean everyone currently preparing for SY0-701 should immediately change their study plans.
When certification exams transition between versions, timing matters. Someone well into their SY0-701 preparation may be in a very different position from someone who hasn't started studying yet.
Before changing your plans, look at your current progress, your intended exam date, and CompTIA's official availability and retirement dates once they're announced.
Should I stop studying for SY0-701?
Not simply because another version is coming.
If you're already preparing for SY0-701, the most important question is whether you have enough time to complete your preparation and sit for the exam while that version remains available.
Starting over isn't automatically the better option.
If you haven't begun preparing and don't plan to take the exam soon, SY0-801 may become more relevant to your plans as its launch approaches.
We'll publish a more detailed SY0-701 vs. SY0-801 comparison as the transition timeline and objectives become available.
Will there be a new Security+ SY0-801 course?
Yes.
Dion Training is preparing an updated CompTIA Security+ SY0-801 course taught by Jason Dion.
The course will be developed around the new exam version to give learners a structured way to begin preparing for Security+.
If you're planning to prepare for SY0-801, you can join the Dion Training waitlist to be notified when the new course launches.
What should I do while waiting for more SY0-801 information?
You don't need to memorize rumors about what might be on the new exam.
Instead, keep an eye on reliable sources and make your decision based on confirmed information.
If you're already studying for SY0-701, keep track of your progress and the eventual retirement timeline.
If you're planning to begin with SY0-801, use this time to familiarize yourself with Security+ and start thinking about when you want to earn the certification.
And once the new exam objectives are released, spend some time reviewing them. The objectives should become the foundation of your study plan.
Stay updated on Security+ SY0-801
We'll continue updating our Security+ SY0-801 resource hub as new information becomes available.
You'll find updates on the exam timeline, objectives, differences between SY0-701 and SY0-801, and Dion Training's upcoming SY0-801 course.