On the surface, it looks like the changes are minor. However, when you dig into the details, you'll see that CompTIA has made several significant changes that require you to know a lot more.
This series of posts covers all the changes:
- SY0-401 Differences in Domains
- SY0-401 Differences in Network Security
- SY0-401 Differences in Compliance and Operational Security
- SY0-401 Differences in Threats and Vulnerabilities
- SY0-401 Differences in Application, Data and Host Security
- SY0-401 Differences in Access Control and Identity Management
- SY0-401 Differences in Cryptography
- SY0-401 Differences in Acronyms
If you're studying for the SY0-301 version of the exam, don't worry. You can still take it up to midnight on December 31, 2014.
Study packages to help you pass the SY0-301 exam the first time you take it are available here.
SY0-401 Differences in Domains
As an introduction, the following table shows the differences in the SY0-401 domain weighting. The new version includes the same six domains, but reflects changes in domain weighting.| Domain | SY0-301 | SY0-401 | Change |
| 1.0 Network Security | 21% | 20% | -1% |
| 2.0 Compliance and Operational Security | 18% | 18% | -- |
| 3.0 Threats and Vulnerabilities | 21% | 20% | -1% |
| 4.0 Application, Data and Host Security | 16% | 15% | -1% |
| 5.0 Access Control and Identity Management | 13% | 15% | +2% |
| 6.0 Cryptography | 11% | 12% | +1% |
From the perspective of the domains, you can see that the changes are relatively minor. The biggest change is that Access Control and Identity Management bumped up 2%. Also, you can see that the Cryptography domain increased by 1%. The following links will take you to pages identifying the differences in each of these domains.
However, when you dig into the details, you'll see that many of the changes within the domains are significant.
CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: Study Guide
I'm frequently asked if I'll be updating the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide
to the 401 exam. The answer is yes, but it takes time.
If you're interested in the progress of the book, feel free to sign up to the Get Certified Get Ahead newsletter. For a limited time, you can get a free copy of the chapter 1 of the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide.
