Is the CompTIA CySA+ Certification worth it today? Costs, salary and FAQ

What is the CompTIA CySA+ Certification?

CompTIA CySA+ validates your ability to detect and analyse indicators of malicious activity, apply threat hunting and threat intelligence, manage and respond to attacks and vulnerabilities, and communicate clearly during incident and vulnerability workflows. Those capabilities are defined in the official exam objectives.

The current exam is CS0‑003 (V3). Key facts: launch date 6 June 2023; up to 85 questions; a mix of multiple‑choice and performance‑based questions; 165 minutes; passing score 750 (on a 100–900 scale). Recommended experience includes Network+ and Security+‑level knowledge plus about four years in incident response or SOC work, though it’s not mandatory.

The exam domains and their weightings are:

• Security Operations – 33%
• Vulnerability Management – 30%
• Incident Response and Management – 20%
• Reporting and Communication – 17%

CompTIA uses performance‑based questions (PBQs) to assess practical problem‑solving in simulated or virtual environments. Multiple approaches may earn credit, and partial credit can apply—so understanding PBQ strategy is important.

CySA+ is valid for three years and participates in CompTIA’s Continuing Education program. You can renew via CE activities rather than retaking the exam; CySA+ requires 60 CEUs within the three‑year cycle.

Why is the CompTIA CySA+ Certification so popular?

1. It’s aligned to real SOC work. The objectives emphasise continuous monitoring, detection, investigation, vulnerability management, and structured reporting—exactly what early‑career analysts do every day.
2. It validates practical skills, not just theory. PBQs simulate tasks an analyst performs under time pressure, such as interpreting logs or prioritising incidents, making CySA+ a strong signal to employers.
3. Clear role mapping and recognition. CompTIA lists relevant work roles (e.g., SOC analyst, incident responder, vulnerability assessment analyst) and recommends prior exposure to Network+/Security+ knowledge, which helps learners plan progression.
4. Accredited and globally recognised. CompTIA certifications—including CySA+—are accredited under ISO/IEC 17024, the international standard for personnel certification, which supports employer confidence.

Is the CompTIA CySA+ Certification worth it today?

For most analysts working in—or moving toward—security operations, yes. CySA+ targets the precise mix of detection, analysis, prioritisation and response that organisations need. Global workforce data indicates a widening cybersecurity skills gap with 4.8 million professionals required and a majority of teams reporting skills shortages—evidence that validated practitioner skills remain in demand.

The study also notes rising emphasis on AI, cloud security and zero trust implementation—all areas where CySA+ emphasises operational skills and communication, making it a relevant stepping stone for roles that sit between tooling and business risk.

Pros of CySA+ Certification

Job availability

Workforce research shows growth in demand for cyber capability and persistent skills shortages, with many organisations citing skills gaps as a significant risk. That environment favours practitioners who can monitor, detect and respond—core CySA+ skills.

CySA+ salary potential

CySA+ often correlates with moving from general IT or entry‑level security into dedicated analyst roles (SOC analyst, incident responder, vulnerability analyst). Those roles typically pay more than tier‑1 support, especially as you accumulate experience and broaden your toolkit.

Global recognition

CompTIA’s accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024 and the vendor‑neutral focus help CySA+ travel well across geographies and industries—useful for Australian professionals working with global teams.

Career pathways

CySA+ sits alongside Security+ and PenTest+, and can lead toward advanced credentials such as SecurityX (formerly CASP+). Prior Network+/Security+ knowledge and hands‑on exposure position CySA+ as the practical analyst credential in the pathway.

Cons of CySA+ Certification

Cost considerations (including the exam fee in Australia)

CompTIA sells region‑specific vouchers via its marketplace. The base voucher for CySA+ is listed at USD $425; Australian pricing is shown in AUD at checkout and may vary by taxes and promotions. Bundle options that include training, labs and a retake can lower overall costs and add value.

Evolving industry demands

Security operations are changing fast—organisations are converging networking and security, adopting AI‑assisted operations, and modernising for multicloud. Analysts need to keep learning beyond the exam to stay relevant.

Certification difficulty

CySA+ is classed as an intermediate exam. PBQs require you to apply knowledge in simulated tasks, and time management matters. Understanding PBQ format and partial credit rules helps reduce difficulty.

Where to begin to get your CySA+ Certification

• Start with the official objectives. Use the CS0‑003 domains as your study map and design a plan weighted to Security Operations and Vulnerability Management.
• Choose training that balances theory and hands‑on practice. At Logitrain, our course content is exam‑aligned with scenarios that reflect PBQ tasks.
• Practise PBQs. Rehearse log analysis, prioritisation and control configuration in simulated environments; learn which PBQs can be skipped and revisited, and when partial credit may apply.
• Run a timed mock. Near the end of your study plan, sit a full‑length practice to tune pacing and reduce exam‑day anxiety.
• Plan your renewal. Note the three‑year cycle and 60 CEUs requirement; map CE options early so you do not need to re‑sit the exam.

Key topics covered in CySA+

While the objectives are extensive, here are major themes you’ll learn:

• System and network architecture for operations (telemetry, identity, encryption, data protection)
• Detecting malicious activity across network, host and application signals; spotting anomalies and rogue devices; recognising social engineering indicators
• Using SIEM, EDR/XDR and SOAR effectively to ingest logs, create correlation rules, automate workflows and keep mean time to detect/respond low
• Vulnerability management end‑to‑end: scanning, prioritising via risk, assigning and tracking remediation, then validating outcomes
• Incident response lifecycle: preparation, detection, containment, eradication, recovery and lessons learned, with clear communication and hand‑offs
• Reporting and communication that stakeholders can act on (metrics, trends, executive summaries, remediation status)
• Zero trust and cloud considerations for modern environments and mobile workloads, including identity‑centric controls and least privilege

Is a CySA+ enough to get a job?

CySA+ opens doors, but experience still matters. Hiring managers look for portfolio evidence—e.g., a mini detection use case, a vulnerability remediation plan, or an incident post‑mortem you’ve contributed to. In a market with a documented skills gap and increasing risk exposure, validated analyst skills combined with demonstrable practice will help you stand out.

Is CySA+ worth it in Australia?

Yes—particularly if you’re targeting SOC analyst, incident responder or vulnerability analyst roles. Australian organisations are modernising networks and converging security with multicloud operations; skills in detection, automation and communication are essential.

Does having a CySA+ Certification pay well?

Salary depends on role, sector and experience. CySA+ helps you move into analyst roles that typically pay more than generalist IT support. As you accumulate experience and broaden your tooling (e.g., SIEM/EDR, cloud detection, automation), your earning potential increases.

Is the CySA+ very difficult?

It’s challenging but fair with the right preparation. Many candidates find PBQs the most demanding component because you must apply judgement in a simulated scenario. Practise PBQs, rehearse time management and build confidence interpreting multi‑source logs.

Is the CySA+ certification stressful?

Timed, simulation‑style questions can feel stressful. Reduce pressure by learning PBQ mechanics (what can be skipped or reset, partial credit), setting strict time budgets, and practising with full mocks to normalise the cadence.

How many fail CySA+?

CompTIA does not publish pass or fail rates. Passing scores are set using statistical analysis and can change; candidates receive a private score report after testing. Focus on preparation quality rather than published pass‑rate claims.

The future of networking jobs in Australia

Networking and security are converging. Analysts who understand controls, telemetry and automation will be valuable partners to network teams as operations converge. For Australian businesses, recent reports highlight strengthened security defences, pragmatic transformation priorities and secure network strategies—further evidence that network‑aware security skills will remain in demand.