Cybersecurity
CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003)
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
Free CS0-003 practice questions 30 questions with full answer explanations. No sign-up. Start practice →Overview
CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) sits one step above Security+ and focuses on security operations: threat detection, monitoring, incident response and vulnerability management. It is aimed at people working in or moving toward a Security Operations Centre (SOC).
It is more behavioural-analytics and operations focused than the broad foundations of Security+, with a heavier emphasis on interpreting data and responding to incidents.
✓ Who it is for
- SOC analysts and aspiring blue-team staff
- People who already hold Security+ and want the next step
- Detection, monitoring and incident-response roles
- Threat-hunting and vulnerability-management analysts working with SIEM and EDR tooling
- Government or defence roles that need a DoD 8140-approved analyst certification
✕ Who it is not for
- Complete beginners - do Security+ first.
- Those targeting management (CISM/CISSP) rather than hands-on detection and response.
- Anyone who wants offensive/pentest focus (look at CEH or PenTest+).
Exam structure
| Security Operations | Monitoring, detection and analysis |
|---|---|
| Vulnerability Management | Identifying and prioritising weaknesses |
| Incident Response and Management | Responding to and recovering from incidents |
| Reporting and Communication | Communicating findings to stakeholders |
How the exam is weighted
- Security Operations 33%
- Vulnerability Management 30%
- Incident Response & Management 20%
- Reporting & Communication 17%
What each domain covers
- Security Operations
- System & network telemetry · Threat intelligence & hunting · Standardising & automating processes
- Vulnerability Management
- Scanning & validation · Prioritisation & analysis · Controls & mitigation
- Incident Response & Management
- Attack frameworks & detection · Containment & eradication · Post-incident activities
- Reporting & Communication
- Vulnerability reporting · Incident reporting · Metrics & stakeholder communication
Realistic study time
- Security+ holder / SOC experience 50-70 hours over 8 weeks
- New to blue-team work 90-130 hours
Bars show relative effort, not a guarantee. Your time depends on background and study method.
Turn this into a week-by-week schedule with the Study Plan Generator.
What it really costs
Fees change and vary by region. Confirm the current amount on the official site before you register.
Want your full out-of-pocket figure? Try the Cost Calculator.
Salary & career value
Indicative ranges for orientation only - not surveyed data, and not financial or career advice. Sources and date below.
US cybersecurity analysts who hold CySA+ commonly report indicative pay around ~$85k-115k. It is a defensive/blue-team analyst credential a step above Security+; pay tracks SOC and security-analyst roles.
Pass rate: Not published. CompTIA does not release official pass rates for CySA+, so any percentages online are estimates rather than verified figures. The published benchmark is the passing score: 750 on a scaled range of 100 to 900.
Indicative annual pay (USD), each role's typical band on a shared scale.
Other markets (indicative)
| United Kingdom | ~£35k-65k |
|---|---|
| Germany | ~€50k-75k |
Jobs that often ask for it:
- Security Analyst
- SOC Analyst
- Threat Intelligence Analyst
- Incident Response Analyst
- Security Engineer
Is it worth it?
Worth it if you are on a defensive, blue-team path and want the natural next step after Security+. CySA+ proves operational skills that SOC and analyst roles actually ask for - threat detection, log and behavioural analysis, vulnerability management and incident response - and its performance-based questions push you to interpret data rather than just recall terms. It is vendor-neutral, meets several DoD 8140 baselines, and renews other CompTIA certifications you hold. It is less compelling if you are a complete beginner (do Security+ first), if you want an offensive or pentest focus (look at PenTest+ or hands-on alternatives), or if you are already heading into security management, where CISM or CISSP will matter more over time.
Not sure this is the right exam for you? Compare your options with the Exam Finder.
Compare CS0-003 with other exams
Independent, like-for-like comparisons to help you choose the right one.
Career paths featuring CS0-003
What to do next
CySA+ pairs with Security+ for a defensive-analyst profile; long term, CISSP or CISM opens senior roles. See the Cybersecurity Analyst career path.
On exam day
Pearson VUE centre or OnVUE online proctoring; up to 85 questions (including performance-based) in 165 minutes. A clear desk and quiet room are required online.
Keeping your certification
Valid 3 years. Renew with 60 CEUs, by earning a higher CompTIA certification, or via CertMaster CE, plus the CE program fee.
FAQ
- Security+ or CySA+ first?
- Security+ first. It is broader and more foundational; CySA+ builds on it with a focus on security operations and analysis.
- Is CySA+ hands-on?
- Partly. It includes performance-based questions and emphasises interpreting security data, which suits people doing or moving toward SOC work.
- How long is it valid?
- Three years, renewable through CompTIA's continuing education programme. It also renews other CompTIA certifications.
- Is CySA+ worth it?
- Yes for a defensive, blue-team path: it proves detection, vulnerability management and incident-response skills that SOC and analyst roles ask for. It is most useful after Security+.
- Can I self-study for CySA+?
- Yes. The official objectives, free security training and practice questions cover it; hands-on lab time with a SIEM and log analysis helps the performance-based questions.
- What jobs can CySA+ help me get?
- Security analyst, SOC analyst, threat-detection and vulnerability-management roles. It signals you are ready for hands-on blue-team work beyond the Security+ baseline.
- How much does CySA+ cost in total?
- The voucher is around US$404, plus modest materials (much is free) and a retake fee only if needed. Renewal is via continuing-education credits over three years.
Related exams
- CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) - CompTIA
- CISSP (ISC2) - ISC2