Last Updated on April 26, 2024

The Security+ exam is an important certification for professionals in the information security field. It tests the knowledge and skills of individuals who work in the field of cybersecurity. It’s administered by the non-profit organization CompTIA, a leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications that also offers a CompTIA Security+ course.

The Security+ exam is designed to be a comprehensive test of an individual’s knowledge of key concepts in cybersecurity, including:

  • Network security
  • Compliance and operational security
  • Threats and vulnerabilities
  • Application, data, and host security

As with any certification exam, the content of the Security+ exam is periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that it remains relevant and reflects the field’s current state. If you’re planning on taking the Security+ exam, you may wonder when it will be updated and what changes you can expect. 

Today, we’ll discuss the process of updating certification exams, the factors that can affect when the Security+ exam will be updated, and how you can stay on top of any changes.

When Does a Certification Exam Change?

The process of updating a certification exam typically involves a thorough review of the exam content followed by the development of new exam questions and other materials. This process can take several months or even longer, depending on the complexity of the exam and the amount of material that needs to be reviewed and updated.

Once the updated exam materials have been developed, the organization that administers the exam will typically announce a date on which the new version of the exam will become available. This date is known as the “retirement date” of the current exam and marks the end of the period during which the old exam will be offered.

SY0-601 was released on November 12th, 2020, and it replaced the SY0-501 exam on July 31st, 2021. As long as the exam was taken when it was current, it doesn’t matter if someone tested with Security Plus 501 or 601.

Factors That Change the Security+ Exam

The process of updating a certification exam, including the Security+ exam, is typically driven by several factors, including changes in the field and feedback from exam takers and other stakeholders.

One of the main factors that can affect when the Security+ exam is updated is the rapid pace of change in the field of cybersecurity. As new technologies are developed and new security threats emerge, the exam must be updated to reflect these changes.

Another factor that can affect when the Security+ exam is updated is feedback from experts and members of the cybersecurity community. These individuals are often on the front lines of dealing with the latest security threats and are well-positioned to provide valuable input on what should be included in the exam.

The timing of updates to the Security+ exam is also affected by feedback from exam takers and other stakeholders. For example, if a significant number of exam takers report that certain exam questions are no longer relevant, these questions might be changed.

In Conclusion

Overall, the Security+ exam is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field of cybersecurity and to ensure that it remains relevant and useful for professionals in the field. By staying up to date with the latest technologies and security threats, the exam can help to ensure that individuals who hold this certification are well-equipped to deal with the challenges of the modern world.

If you’re looking to learn about advancing in this field, check out our article on whether you need the Network+ before Security+ certification.

About The Author

Gary is an accomplished IT professional with over 20 years experience in implementing Microsoft technologies within large scale enterprise environments for both employers and private clients. Expert level instructor with a proven ability to lead and inspire students to understand a variety of Microsoft back office technologies and their application in real world scenarios. Nationally touring speaker for a Microsoft seminar training company, entrepreneur and creator of his own MSCE boot-camp style training program. Technical Trainer for the US Navy, systems administrator for the US Navy, consultant on a number of high level Microsoft migration projects in Southern California and a one of the most in-demand MCT’s in the country for over 13 years. Gary has a deep and broad pool of experiences to draw from and add to that a knack for quickly understanding new technologies and being able to communicate that knowledge effectively allows Gary to help people learn at a variety of levels.

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