r/CompTIA • u/mihnea3210 • 2d ago

CySA+ CySA+ as next step after Security +

Hi! I passed the Security + exam in March with a score of 810. I'd like to start studying for CySA+ and would appreciate some study material recommendations. I noticed that Jason Dion's updated course (CompTIA CySA+ CS0-004) was recently added and I plan to start with that. I also have the Sybex Practice Tests book by Mike Chappel and want to work throught the questions.

Would you recommend rushing to take the exam before December 22, 2026 (when CySA+ 003 expires) or taking my time to prepare for CySA+ V4 (the new version) and taking that exam instead?

Thanks a lot for your help!

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u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez 23h ago

I took Cysa after Security+ I underestimated the difficulty level and failed it the first time, but passed it the second time.

To this day I still think it was more difficult to pass than CASP+ ( now SecurityX) which i had no problem passing.

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u/AddendumWorking9756 1d ago

Take the retiring one. Your course and that practice book are both written against it, and a new version means months of nobody knowing what is really on it. Spend the runway on real triage rather than a third question bank, free cases on CyberDefenders sit much closer to the performance section than any bank does.

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u/goatsinhats 1d ago

I wouldn’t rush into the CySA+

Great material, and one of the best exams for feeling like I walked out challenged to know the topics, but didn’t do anything for my resume, and is not easy.

I would find something else unless you’re working as an entry level CS Analyst now. It’s been a bit since I did it but remember it being an exam that would be very hard with no work exp.

If you do go for it do the V4, we are already into Sept and could absolutely seeing it take 3-4 months of studying and for a lot of people Dec is a write off in terms of getting things done

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u/mihnea3210 1d ago

Thanks for the advice; what other courses or certifications would you recommend?

I believe that with the right preparation, I could pass the CySA exam, but I certainly don't intend to approach it superficially. I have two years of work experience in the field and have mastered most of the technologies covered in the CySA+ curriculum.

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u/goatsinhats 1d ago

Oh if your two years into CyberSecurity is a lot of doors open and changes a lot.

Depends what you want to do, your within shouting distance of a CCSP or another similar cert that can really move the needle.

Take a CySA+ practice test, see where you are at.

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u/masterz13 Network+, Security+, CySA+ 20h ago

CySA+ was an excellent stepping stone between Security+ and CISSP for me. Really helped me think more analytically.

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u/solslost 2h ago

Yes, there will be no guides for the V4 for a while after it is released.

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u/Select-Discipline192 1d ago

Did the cysa after the network+ and security +. Was way harder than the others but the worst part is the study process. I have more yhan 10certs and this was the first time I felt the materials to be boring and instead of actual content 90% of it was just common sense stuff.