🧩 CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

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🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body

🧩 2. Certification Level and Type

  • Level: Intermediate

  • Type: Technical

πŸ“œ 3. Purpose and Goals

  • What skills does it certify?
    Threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management, security monitoring, behavioral analytics.

  • Target roles or profiles:
    SOC Analyst (Tier I & II), Threat Hunter, Security Analyst, Blue Team member.

  • Practical applications:
    Blue Team operations, SIEM management, threat intelligence analysis, and proactive defense.

πŸŽ“ 4. Prerequisites

  • Recommended prior certifications:
    CompTIA Security+, Network+, or equivalent knowledge

  • Suggested experience:
    3–4 years in IT with at least 2 years in cybersecurity

  • Required technical knowledge:
    TCP/IP, SIEMs, log analysis, Linux/Windows administration, scripting basics

πŸ“š 5. Content and Curriculum

  • Key domains/modules:

    1. Security Operations

    2. Vulnerability Management

    3. Incident Response and Management

    4. Reporting and Communication

    5. Threat Intelligence

  • Technologies/tools:
    SIEMs (e.g., Splunk, Elastic), Wireshark, Nmap, firewalls, antivirus, IDS/IPS, vulnerability scanners

  • Framework mapping:
    MITRE ATT&CK, NIST SP 800-61, ISO 27001, NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework

πŸ§ͺ 6. Learning Approach

  • Style: Mixed (theoretical + practical)

  • Labs/environments: Virtual labs are offered in official training

  • Materials: CompTIA CertMaster, official study guide, video training (LinkedIn, Udemy, Cybrary)

  • Recommended platforms: TryHackMe (SOC rooms), Hack The Box Academy, Cybrary, Infosec Skills

πŸ“ 7. Exam Format and Details

  • Mode: Online proctored or in-person (Pearson VUE)

  • Duration: 165 minutes

  • Questions: 85 max (multiple choice + performance-based)

  • Languages: English, Japanese, Portuguese, Thai

  • Retake policy: No waiting period after first attempt; retake fees apply

  • Certification validity: 3 years

πŸ’° 8. Estimated Cost

  • Exam fee: ~$392 USD

  • Training cost: Varies (~$150–$1,000 depending on platform and format)

  • Renewal cost: ~$50/year via Continuing Education (CE) program or recertification

🌍 9. Industry Recognition

  • Demand/popularity: Highly recognized entry-to-mid level cert, globally respected

  • Companies that value it: Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, CompTIA partner companies, government contractors

  • Similar certifications: GIAC GCIH (more advanced), EC-Council ECSA (more offensive focus)

πŸ’Ό 10. Career Opportunities

  • Job roles:
    SOC Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, Threat Intelligence Analyst, Blue Team Operator, Security Engineer

  • Suggested paths:
    β†’ CompTIA Security+ β†’ CySA+ β†’ CASP+ or CISSP / GCIH / GCIA / Blue Team Level 2 (BTL2)

πŸ’΅ 11. Average Salary

  • USA: $70,000–$95,000/year

  • Europe (avg.): €45,000–€65,000/year

  • Salary bump: Can increase salary by 10–20% over baseline IT roles

  • (Sources: PayScale, Glassdoor, CyberSeek)

πŸ“… 12. Renewal and Maintenance

  • Validity: 3 years

  • Renewal: 60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or retake the exam

  • Other options: Stackable CE credits from other CompTIA or industry certifications

🧭 13. Final Recommendations

  • Ideal for:
    IT professionals transitioning into cybersecurity or those strengthening Blue Team skills

  • When to pursue:
    After Security+ or 1–2 years of IT/sysadmin/networking experience

  • Tips:
    Focus on hands-on labs and SIEM use cases. Practice log analysis and threat hunting. Use multiple prep sources.