Security+ Study Guide: Complete 2026 Exam Prep Plan

You've decided to get Security+ certified. Great choice—it's the foundation for a cybersecurity career. If your goal is landing a SOC analyst role, this roadmap shows you what the path looks like from zero to your first security job.

But here's the problem: most study guides tell you WHAT to study, not HOW to study. You end up reading for weeks without actually learning anything.

Let's fix that. This guide gives you a complete 8-week study plan that actually works.

Why Most Security+ Study Plans Fail

The problem: Most people study wrong.

Common mistakes:

1. Reading without understanding - You read 500 pages but can't explain concepts

2. No structure - You jump around topics randomly

3. No practice - You study but never test yourself

4. Memorizing instead of learning - You know definitions but not applications

5. No timeline - You study "whenever" and never finish

The result: You spend months studying, take the exam, and fail. Then you have to pay $392 again.

The solution: A structured study plan with clear goals, daily tasks, and regular practice tests.

Security+ Exam Overview (SY0-701)

Before we dive into the study plan, let's understand what you're preparing for.

Exam Details:

- 90 questions (multiple-choice + performance-based)

- 90 minutes to complete

- Passing score: 750/900 (83.3%)

- Cost: $392

- Validity: 3 years

Exam Domains:

1. General Security Concepts (12%) - 11 questions

2. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%) - 20 questions

3. Security Architecture (18%) - 16 questions

4. Security Operations (28%) - 25 questions

5. Security Program Management and Oversight (20%) - 18 questions

Question Types:

- Multiple-choice: Traditional questions with 4 options

- Performance-based questions (PBQs): Hands-on tasks (configuring firewalls, analyzing logs, etc.)

Key insight: Security Operations is the biggest domain (28%). Spend extra time here.

8-Week Security+ Study Plan

This plan assumes you can study 2-3 hours per day, 5 days per week. Adjust if you have more or less time.

Week 1-2: Foundation & Domain 1-2

Goal: Understand core security concepts and threats

Week 1 Focus: General Security Concepts (12%)

Day 1-2: CIA Triad & Security Fundamentals

- Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability

- Authentication vs Authorization

- Risk management basics

- Compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)

Day 3-4: Security Controls

- Administrative, technical, physical controls

- Preventive, detective, corrective controls

- Defense in depth

- Zero trust architecture

Day 5: Review & Practice

- Review notes

- Take domain-specific quiz

- Create flashcards

Week 2 Focus: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%)

Day 1-2: Attack Types

- Malware (viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware)

- Social engineering (phishing, spear phishing, whaling)

- Network attacks (DDoS, MITM, DNS poisoning)

- Application attacks (SQL injection, XSS, CSRF)

Day 3-4: Vulnerabilities & Mitigations

- Common vulnerabilities (CVE, CVSS)

- Patch management

- Secure coding practices

- Vulnerability scanning vs penetration testing

Day 5: Review & Practice

- Review attack types

- Take domain-specific quiz

- Practice identifying attack scenarios

Resources:

- Professor Messer videos (free)

- Security+ study guide

- Domain-specific practice questions

Checkpoint: Can you explain CIA triad? Can you identify different attack types? If yes, move on. If no, review.

Week 3-4: Security Architecture & Operations (Part 1)

Goal: Master network security and security architecture

Week 3 Focus: Security Architecture (18%)

Day 1-2: Network Security

- Firewalls (stateful, stateless, next-gen)

- Network segmentation (VLANs, subnets)

- VPNs (site-to-site, remote access)

- Network protocols (TLS, IPSec, SSH)

Day 3-4: Secure Design Principles

- Secure network architecture

- Cloud security (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

- Zero trust architecture

- Secure coding principles

Day 5: Review & Practice

- Review network security concepts

- Take domain-specific quiz

- Practice configuring firewall rules (if possible)

Week 4 Focus: Security Operations (Part 1 - 14%)

Day 1-2: Monitoring & Logging

- SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)

- Log analysis — this breakdown of how analysts read logs can sharpen your understanding before you hit Domain 4 questions

- Security monitoring tools

- Event correlation

Day 3-4: Incident Response

- Incident response process (preparation, detection, containment, eradication, recovery, lessons learned)

- Incident response team roles

- Forensic analysis basics

- Evidence handling

Day 5: Review & Practice

- Review incident response steps

- Take domain-specific quiz

- Practice analyzing security logs

Resources:

- Hands-on labs (if available)

- SIEM demos or tutorials

- Incident response scenarios

Checkpoint: Can you explain how a firewall works? Can you walk through incident response steps? If yes, move on.

Week 5-6: Security Operations (Part 2) & Program Management

Goal: Complete Security Operations and learn program management

Week 5 Focus: Security Operations (Part 2 - 14%)

Day 1-2: Vulnerability Management

- Vulnerability scanning

- Patch management

- Configuration management

- Asset management

Day 3-4: Security Tools & Technologies

- Endpoint detection and response (EDR)

- Intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS)

- Security orchestration (SOAR)

- Threat intelligence platforms

Day 5: Review & Practice

- Review security tools

- Take domain-specific quiz

- Practice using security tools (if possible)

Week 6 Focus: Security Program Management and Oversight (20%)

Day 1-2: Security Policies & Procedures

- Security policies (acceptable use, data handling, incident response)

- Security procedures and standards

- Security awareness training

- Business continuity and disaster recovery

Day 3-4: Risk Management

- Risk assessment (likelihood, impact)

- Risk mitigation strategies (accept, transfer, mitigate, avoid)

- Business impact analysis (BIA)

- Vendor risk management

Day 5: Review & Practice

- Review policies and risk management

- Take domain-specific quiz

- Practice risk assessment scenarios

Resources:

- Policy templates (for reference)

- Risk management frameworks

- Business continuity planning guides

Checkpoint: Can you explain the incident response process? Can you assess risk? If yes, move on.

Week 7: Practice Tests & Weak Area Review

Goal: Score 85%+ on practice tests

Day 1-2: First Full-Length Practice Test

- Take a complete 90-question practice test

- Time yourself (90 minutes)

- Don't look up answers during the test

- Score yourself honestly

Review Process:

- For every question (right or wrong):

- Read the explanation

- Understand why the correct answer is correct

- Understand why wrong answers are wrong

- Note which domain the question came from

Day 3-4: Weak Area Deep Dive

- Identify your lowest-scoring domain

- Review that domain thoroughly

- Take domain-specific practice questions

- Create flashcards for weak concepts

Day 5: Second Full-Length Practice Test

- Take another practice test

- Compare scores to first test

- Review all questions again

- Identify remaining weak areas

Resources:

- Practice test platform

- Domain-specific review materials

- Flashcards

Target Score: 85%+ on practice tests before scheduling your exam.

If you're scoring below 85%: Don't schedule yet. Review weak areas and take more practice tests. This breakdown of the 10 topics that trip people up most is a good place to start when diagnosing what's holding your score back.

Need unlimited practice tests? Our Security+ prep includes procedural exams that change every time →

Week 8: Final Prep & Exam Scheduling

Goal: Maintain knowledge and schedule exam

Day 1-2: Third Practice Test

- Take another full-length practice test

- Aim for 85%+ (if not there yet, keep practicing)

- Review all questions

Day 3-4: Final Review

- Review flashcards daily

- Quick review of all 5 domains

- Focus on memorization items (port numbers, protocols, etc.)

- Review performance-based question formats

Day 5: Exam Scheduling & Final Prep

- If scoring 85%+: Schedule your exam (1-2 weeks out)

- If scoring below 85%: Don't schedule yet. Keep practicing.

- Review exam day tips (below)

- Get good sleep

Week Before Exam:

- Take 1-2 more practice tests

- Review flashcards daily (15-30 minutes)

- Light review of weak areas

- Don't cram - Trust your preparation

- Get good sleep every night

Study Strategies That Actually Work

Strategy 1: Active Learning

Don't just read—engage with the material.

Active learning techniques:

- Take notes while watching videos or reading

- Explain concepts out loud (teach someone else)

- Create flashcards for definitions and concepts

- Draw diagrams for complex topics (network architecture, attack flows)

- Practice hands-on (configure tools, analyze logs)

Why it works: Your brain learns by doing, not just reading.

Strategy 2: Spaced Repetition

Review material multiple times over days/weeks.

How to do it:

- Day 1: Learn new concept

- Day 2: Review concept

- Day 4: Review again

- Day 7: Review again

- Day 14: Review again

Tools:

- Flashcards (physical or digital)

- Spaced repetition apps (Anki, Quizlet)

- Regular practice tests

Why it works: Spaced repetition helps move information from short-term to long-term memory.

Strategy 3: Practice Testing

Test yourself regularly, not just at the end.

When to test:

- After each domain: Take domain-specific quiz

- Weekly: Take practice questions

- Weeks 7-8: Take full-length practice tests

How to review:

- Read every explanation (even for correct answers)

- Understand why wrong answers are wrong

- Note which domain each question came from

- Focus on weak domains between tests

Why it works: Testing helps you identify gaps and reinforces learning.

Strategy 4: Hands-On Practice

Don't just read about security—practice it.

Hands-on activities:

- Configure firewalls (virtual labs or home lab)

- Analyze security logs (SIEM demos or sample logs)

- Practice incident response (scenarios or simulations)

- Use security tools (vulnerability scanners, SIEMs)

Why it works: Hands-on practice helps you understand concepts, not just memorize them.

Don't have a lab? Our Security+ prep includes hands-on scenarios and simulations.

See what hands-on practice is included →

Best Security+ Study Resources

Free Resources

Professor Messer:

- Free YouTube videos covering all domains

- Study groups and practice questions

- Best for: Understanding concepts

- Limitation: No full-length practice tests

ExamCompass:

- Free practice questions by domain

- Quick concept checks

- Best for: Testing domain knowledge

- Limitation: Basic questions, limited explanations

CompTIA Official:

- Exam objectives (download from CompTIA website)

- Sample questions

- Best for: Understanding exam structure

Paid Resources

Jason Dion:

- Udemy courses ($15-20)

- Practice tests ($15-20 each)

- Good explanations

- Best for: Structured learning

Mike Meyers:

- Comprehensive courses

- Books and videos

- Best for: Visual learners

Boson ExSim:

- Premium practice tests

- Detailed explanations

- Best for: Practice test prep

- Cost: $99 for 3 tests

EpicDetect Security+ Prep:

- Complete course mapped to exam domains

- Unlimited procedural practice tests

- 400+ flashcards with spaced repetition

- Exam simulator

- 8-week structured study plan

- Hands-on scenarios

- Best for: All-in-one solution

- Cost: $25/month (everything included)

The problem with free resources: They're great for basics, but you'll need paid resources for comprehensive prep. The question is: piece together multiple resources ($200-300+) or get everything in one place ($25/month)?

See everything included in EpicDetect →

How to Study for Security+ Performance-Based Questions

PBQs are hands-on tasks that test your ability to apply concepts, not just memorize facts.

Common PBQ Types:

1. Firewall Configuration - Configure rules to allow/block traffic

2. Log Analysis - Identify attacks or anomalies in logs

3. Network Topology - Design secure network architecture

4. Incident Response - Respond to security incidents

5. Security Tool Configuration - Configure SIEM, IDS, or other tools

How to Prepare:

1. Understand concepts - Know how firewalls, SIEMs, and networks work

2. Practice hands-on - Use virtual labs or simulations

3. Practice PBQs - Use practice test platforms with PBQ questions

4. Time management - PBQs take longer; don't spend too much time on them

Pro tip: If you're stuck on a PBQ, flag it and move on. Come back at the end if you have time.

Exam Day Tips

Before the Exam:

- Get good sleep - Don't stay up late studying

- Eat breakfast - Don't take the exam hungry

- Arrive early - 30 minutes before your scheduled time

- Bring two forms of ID - Driver's license + credit card or passport

- Leave electronics at home - You can't bring phones, watches, etc.

During the Exam:

- Read questions carefully - Don't rush

- Manage your time - 90 minutes for 90 questions = 1 minute per question

- Flag difficult questions - Come back to them later

- Don't second-guess yourself - Trust your first instinct (usually right)

- Answer every question - No penalty for wrong answers

After the Exam:

- You'll see your score immediately - Pass/fail and score breakdown

- If you pass: Celebrate! You're Security+ certified.

- If you fail: Don't give up. Review your score report, study weak areas, and retake.

Common Study Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Cramming

- Problem: Studying everything in the last week

- Why it fails: You can't learn 5 domains in a week

- Fix: Follow a structured 8-week plan

Mistake 2: Only Reading

- Problem: Reading books but never practicing

- Why it fails: Reading ≠ understanding

- Fix: Take practice tests and do hands-on labs

Mistake 3: Memorizing Without Understanding

- Problem: Memorizing definitions but not concepts

- Why it fails: Exam tests application, not memorization

- Fix: Understand WHY, not just WHAT

Mistake 4: Skipping Practice Tests

- Problem: Not taking practice tests until the end

- Why it fails: You don't know what you don't know

- Fix: Take practice tests throughout your study

Mistake 5: No Structure

- Problem: Studying randomly without a plan

- Why it fails: You miss topics or spend too much time on one area

- Fix: Follow a structured study plan

FAQ: Security+ Study Guide

Q: How long should I study for Security+?

A: Most people need 2-3 months of focused study (2-3 hours/day, 5 days/week). This 8-week plan is designed for that timeline.

Q: Can I pass Security+ in 4 weeks?

A: Possible if you study full-time (6-8 hours/day) and have IT background. Not recommended for most people.

Q: What's the best Security+ study guide?

A: There's no single "best" guide. Use multiple resources: videos, books, practice tests, and hands-on labs.

Q: Do I need to buy expensive study materials?

A: Not necessarily. Free resources (Professor Messer) are great for basics. But you'll likely need paid practice tests and possibly a course.

Q: How many practice tests should I take?

A: Take 5-10 full-length practice tests. Score 85%+ before scheduling your exam.

Q: What score do I need on practice tests?

A: Aim for 85%+. The passing score is 83.3%, but you want a buffer for exam day nerves.

Q: Should I study all domains equally?

A: No. Security Operations is 28% of the exam—spend extra time here. But don't ignore other domains.

Q: How do I study for performance-based questions?

A: Understand concepts deeply, practice hands-on labs, and use practice test platforms with PBQ questions.

Q: Can I pass Security+ with just free resources?

A: Possible, but harder. Free resources are great for concepts, but you'll need paid practice tests for comprehensive prep.

Q: What if I'm not ready after 8 weeks?

A: That's okay. Extend your timeline. Better to study 10-12 weeks and pass than rush and fail.

Need a complete study system with everything mapped out? See what's included →

TL;DR

- Follow a structured 8-week study plan (2-3 hours/day, 5 days/week)

- Study all 5 domains but focus extra on Security Operations (28%)

- Use active learning - Take notes, create flashcards, practice hands-on

- Take practice tests regularly - Score 85%+ before scheduling

- Don't just read - Practice, practice, practice

- Avoid cramming - Spread your study over 8 weeks

- Use multiple resources - Videos, books, practice tests, labs

Ready to start your Security+ study plan?

Our complete Security+ prep system includes:

- Full course mapped to all 5 exam domains

- 8-week structured study plan with daily tasks

- Unlimited procedural practice tests

- 400+ flashcards with spaced repetition

- Exam simulator that mirrors the real test

- Hands-on scenarios and simulations

- All for $25/month (less than a single practice test elsewhere)

Start your 8-week Security+ study plan today →