The New CompTIA Security+ Exam

It's been about three years since CompTIA last revised its Security+ exam, and the new changes are major. The 2011 CompTIA Security+ exam, or SY0-301, is now available. The 2008 exam will remain available through the year. So what's different? What's the same? Let's take a look.

The names of the knowledge domains have been changed along with minor percentage adjustments as far as weighting goes. Below is list detailing the new domains:

• Network Security
• Compliance & Operational Security
• Threats & Vulnerability
• Application, Data & Host Security
• Access Control & Identity Management
• Cryptography

Why did CompTIA reorganize the knowledge domains? CompTIA says these changes reflect an increased emphasis on operational control and risk mitigation. For example, the Compliance & Operational Security domain is the second domain. It highlights the importance of creating security policies, identifying risks, mitigating risks, responding to incidents, and training staff.

Another change involves a deeper look at emerging technologies such as virtualization and cloud computing which were mere infants in 2008.

While CompTIA changed the Security+ exam to keep up with the times, some aspects did not change. For example, the Security+ certification remains an entry-level certification without any official prerequisites. You should have at least two years of IT and security experience for this credential.

If you've already prepared for the 2008 CompTIA Security+ certification exam, you have until the end of the year to take it. You may also want to study a little more, focusing on the 2011 exam objectives, and take the 2011 exam instead. Either way, earning the CompTIA Security+ certification validates your skills and can set you on an exciting career path.

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