What is the difference between CompTIA Security+ 601 and 701?

Understanding the difference between CompTIA Security+ 601 and 701 is essential for anyone planning to pursue this CompTIA Security+ certification, as the changes reflect not just an updated exam, but a shift in focus toward more modern, practical cybersecurity practices. This article will show you the difference between CompTIA Security+ 601 and 701. Let’s explore!

About the CompTIA Security+ SY0-601

CompTIA Security+ SY0-601

Security+ SY0-601 release date

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 exam, released in November 2020, is designed as a globally recognized certification for those beginning their careers in cybersecurity. It replaced the previous CompTIA Security+ SY0-501 version, updating content to better reflect current cybersecurity threats, tools, and best practices.

Security+ SY0-601 exam details

• Exam Name: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601)
• Exam Format: Multiple Choice + Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)
• Questions: Up to 90
• Exam Time: 90 minutes
• Passing Score: Minimum 750/900 points
• Languages: English, Japanese, Portuguese,…
• Cost: $392 

Security+ SY0-601 topics

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 focuses heavily on topics such as:

• Risk management
• Access control
• Network security
• Cryptographic technologies,…

It also requires familiarity with a wide range of command-line tools and utilities, such as nmap, netstat, ipconfig, and others. Because of this, SY0-601 is considered more technically demanding, especially for those without a strong IT background. Candidates need to remember many command-line instructions and understand how to use them in different security contexts.

About the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701

Security+ SY0-701 release date

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701, launched in November 2023, is the latest and most up-to-date version of the Security+ certification, replacing the previous CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 exam. This change reflects CompTIA’s commitment to keeping pace with the rapid evolution of the cybersecurity landscape. Each new version of the exam introduces fresh objectives, updated requirements, and current concepts that reflect real-world security challenges.

Security+ SY0-701 exam details

• Exam Name: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
• Exam Format: Multiple Choice + Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)
• Questions: Up to 90
• Exam Time: 90 minutes
• Passing Score: Minimum 750/900 points
• Languages: English, Japanese, Portuguese,…
• Cost: $404

Security+ SY0-701 topics

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam refines and updates the focus areas from its predecessor, SY0-601, to better align with the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. While the CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 covered emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), blockchain, quantum computing, and cloud platforms, SY0-701 shifts toward modern, practical cybersecurity practices that reflect today’s enterprise needs.

Key topics now include:

• Zero Trust architecture, emphasizing strict access controls and continuous verification
• Cloud security, addressing the protection of cloud environments and services
• Email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC which are critical in defending against phishing and spoofing attacks

Unlike SY0-601, which was more technically intensive and required memorization of numerous command-line tools, the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 places greater emphasis on security management, policies, and procedures. This makes the exam more accessible and relevant for professionals focusing on real-world security governance and emerging technologies, skills highly valued in today’s cybersecurity job market.

Difference between CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 and SY0-701

Here are the 3 main differences between CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 and SY0-701:

What was added to the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701?

So, what exactly was added to the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701? Not only were more concepts introduced, but their complexity has also increased. Key additions to the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam include:

Risk assessment and management

• Learn how to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate the likelihood and potential impact of threats, and prioritize risks for effective mitigation. 
• Gain familiarity with established frameworks such as the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF)
• Discover how to integrate risk management into day-to-day business operations to enhance resilience, compliance, and decision-making. 
• Understand how to align technical risks with organizational objectives for a proactive security posture.

Incident response

• Build the capability to detect, report, contain, and recover from cybersecurity incidents.
• Learn how to develop and execute incident response playbooks, coordinate efficiently with internal and external response teams (e.g., CSIRT, SOC), and conduct post-incident reviews to identify root causes and implement improvements.
• Emphasis is placed on timely action, communication, and minimizing damage while ensuring regulatory and procedural compliance.

Digital forensics and threat analysis

• Understand the foundational principles of digital forensics, including evidence preservation, chain of custody, and log file analysis.
• Develop the skills to investigate security breaches, uncover attack vectors, and collect evidence that may support legal proceedings or internal disciplinary measures.
• Learn how to analyze threat behavior to prevent recurrence and contribute to long-term threat intelligence.

Securing enterprise-level networks

• Acquire the skills needed to secure complex organizational networks.
• Focus areas include network segmentation, role-based access control, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), firewalls, and traffic monitoring.
• Learn how to protect critical infrastructure against both internal threats (e.g., insider attacks, misconfigurations) and external attacks (e.g., malware, DDoS, phishing), ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability across enterprise systems.

Hybrid and Cloud-Based infrastructure security

• Address the growing complexity of cloud and hybrid environments. 
• Understand how to secure data and applications across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, enforce cloud access policies, and configure secure connections between on-prem and cloud systems.

Implementation of security controls

• Deploy technical and administrative controls such as firewalls, encryption, endpoint protection, and identity access management (IAM). 
• Learn how to enforce least privilege, apply multi-factor authentication (MFA), and automate security operations.

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 update ensures the exam remains relevant to today’s cybersecurity landscape by addressing:

• Current threat trends: Includes the latest in threats, vulnerabilities, zero trust, automation, IoT/OT risks, and cloud-based attacks.
• Modern work environments: Focuses on skills needed for securing hybrid environments, combining on-premises and cloud systems.
• Effective communication & teamwork: Emphasizes the importance of reporting, collaboration, and coordination in real-world security operations.

FAQs

1. What is the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 release date?

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam was officially released on November 7, 2023. 

2. How long will SY0-701 last?

Typically, the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 will last for three years after its release.

3. Is 701 harder than 601?

It depends on the individual. The difficulty of the exam is subjective and varies based on your experience, preparation level, and familiarity with the exam content.

4. Is SY0-701 worth it?

Yes, the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 is absolutely worth it if you’re pursuing a career in cybersecurity. It’s a globally recognized certification that validates your foundational skills in areas like network security, risk management, cloud security, and incident response. It is often a required or recommended certification for many cybersecurity roles. 

Conclusion

The main differences between the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 and SY0-601 have already been analyzed above in detail. Understanding it will help you decide which exam to take based on your study resources and timeline. If you’re just starting your cybersecurity journey, taking the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam is essential, as it better aligns with modern cybersecurity roles and industry expectations.