My Journey to Passing the CompTIA Security+ Exam

When I first decided to shift my career path toward cybersecurity, I knew the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam would be an important milestone. It’s one of the most widely recognized entry-level certifications, and for me, it served as both a confidence boost and a structured way to cover the fundamentals.

Study Approach

I built my study plan around a mix of resources:

The official CompTIA Security+ study guide
Practice exams (lots of them!)
Online courses and video lessons
Hands-on labs to reinforce key concepts

Balancing theory with practice was critical. I found that breaking down the objectives into smaller topics—networking, cryptography, compliance, risk management—made the content much less overwhelming.

Challenges Along the Way

The hardest part wasn’t necessarily the technical content but staying consistent. Like many people making a career pivot, I had to fit study time around work and life. Setting realistic goals (like 1–2 hours a day, 5–6 days a week) helped me keep moving forward without burning out.

Passing the Exam

On exam day, I was nervous but prepared. The performance-based questions tested more than just memorization—they required understanding how to apply concepts in real scenarios. Walking out with a high score was incredibly rewarding.

Security+ didn’t just give me a credential—it gave me the foundation and confidence to keep going deeper into cybersecurity.

What’s Next?

This certification is just one step. I’m now focusing on building practical projects, exploring GRC, and working through additional certifications like ISO 27001 and (ISC)² CC.

If you’re on a similar journey, my advice is simple: be consistent, use multiple resources, and don’t be afraid to get hands-on.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to connect with me if you’re also studying for Security+ or considering a cybersecurity career pivot.