Comparison Career Path

Security+ vs CEH vs CySA+ — Which Cert Should You Get in 2026?

Side-by-side for the four most discussed cybersecurity certifications: what each tests, what jobs each opens, which costs what, and exactly who should pick which.

October 13, 2026  • 9 min read

The Version Change Nobody Has Told You About

There is one thing worth knowing before you compare these four certifications, and it has nothing to do with difficulty.

CompTIA is replacing SY0-701 with SY0-801. It is also called Security+ V8. CompTIA's own certification page lists V8 as coming in November 2026, and the working date among training partners is 17 November, though that date has moved before. Treat it as approximate.

The retirement date is firmer. CompTIA has published 11 June 2027 for the English SY0-701 exam and 13 August 2027 for the other language versions, which gives roughly seven months where both exams exist at the same time.

The credential you earn is called Security+ either way. The version only changes what gets tested, and V8 widens the syllabus to cover AI related risks and security operations in more depth.

Which Version to Study Right Now

The overlap period makes the choice clear for most people.

If you can sit the exam before June 2027, book SY0-701. Study material is mature and the practice question banks are large. A candidate starting today with a twelve week plan sits in January and never sees the change.

If your runway is longer than about nine months, prepare for SY0-801 instead, because you would be sitting after the retirement date anyway and early material for a new version is thin rather than wrong. The exception is anyone whose employer requires Security+ by a fixed contract date. For them the current exam is the only safe choice.

Neither route changes the comparison below. CEH and CySA+ are unaffected by the Security+ version transition, so the decision between them rests on the same factors it always did.

At-a-Glance Comparison

Factor Security+ SY0-701 CySA+ CS0-003 CEH v13 CISSP
Level Entry-level Mid-level Mid-level (Offensive) Senior-level
Vendor CompTIA CompTIA EC-Council (ISC)²
Exam cost $425 $392 $950–$2,000 $749
Study time 8–12 weeks 4–6 months 3–5 months 6–12 months
Experience Recommended: 2 yrs IT Recommended: 4 yrs IT / Security Recommended: 2 yrs security Required: 5 yrs two+ domains
Pass score 750 / 900 750 / 900 ~70% (varies by domain) Adaptive — ~700 base
DoD 8570 IAT Level II IAT Level II (CSSP Analyst) IAT/IASAE Level III (CSSP A) IAM Level I, II, III / IASAE
Best for First security cert, DoD/gov jobs, broad market entry Analysts, threat hunters, SOC T2, vulnerability management Penetration testing, ethical hacking career track Security management, architecture, CISO track

Security+ SY0-701

CompTIA · Entry-level
Pros
›Widest employer recognition
›DoD 8570 approved
›Fast to earn (8–12 wks)
›Lower cost than peers
›Good entry-level ROI
Cons
›Not sufficient for senior roles
›Less technical depth than specialist certs
›SY0-701 retires 11 June 2027 (English)
Jobs it opens: SOC Analyst T1 · Security Admin · DoD IT roles · Cybersecurity Analyst

CySA+ CS0-003

CompTIA · Mid-level
Pros
›Natural next step after Security+
›Highly respected in SOC community
›DoD approved
›Focuses on real analyst skills
Cons
›Requires solid Security+ foundation
›Harder than Security+
›Less recognised outside security community
Jobs it opens: SOC Analyst T2 · Threat Hunter · Vulnerability Analyst · Incident Responder

CEH v13

EC-Council · Mid-level (Offensive)
Pros
›Strong brand recognition for offensive roles
›DoD 8570 approved
›Covers real hacking methodologies
Cons
›Expensive
›Criticised for being overly MCQ-focused vs hands-on
›Industry prefers OSCP for actual pen testing jobs
›EC-Council renewal fees
Jobs it opens: Penetration Tester · Red Team Analyst · Security Consultant · Vuln Researcher

CISSP

(ISC)² · Senior-level
Pros
›Gold standard senior cert
›Highest salary ceiling
›Required for many senior gov/contractor roles
›Globally respected
Cons
›Requires 5 yrs direct experience
›Long study commitment
›Annual maintenance fees + CPE
Jobs it opens: Security Manager · CISO · Security Architect · Risk Director

CEH in Context

CEH sits in an awkward position and the comparison tables rarely say so plainly.

The certification has strong name recognition with recruiters, and it satisfies the same United States Department of Defense baseline as Security+. That matters if you work for a contractor or a federal agency, where the requirement is written into the job description.

Technical hiring managers for penetration testing roles ask for OSCP more often. OSCP is a twenty-four hour practical exam where candidates break into live machines, and it is far harder to pass than a multiple choice paper. CEH v13 added practical labs to answer that criticism, but the reputation gap has not closed.

The practical answer depends on who reads your resume. A recruiter screening for a government contract sees CEH and ticks a box. A security lead hiring for a red team sees CEH and asks what else you have. Both reactions are real.

Which Should You Get? — Decision Guide

You are new to IT or have <2 years experience
Start with A+ → Network+ → Security+. Do not skip the foundation.
You work in IT already and want to move into security
Security+ is your fastest route in. 8–12 weeks, broadly recognised.
You have Security+ and want to go deeper into SOC / blue team
CySA+ next. It directly builds on Security+ and is highly valued in analyst roles.
You want to do penetration testing / offensive security
Security+ first if you don't have it, then CEH or OSCP. OSCP is more respected by technical hiring managers.
You have 5+ years and want a management or architecture role
CISSP is your goal. Study while you accumulate experience. Cannot sit without the required years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get Security+ or CEH first?
Security+ first for most people. It costs less ($425 vs $950+), takes less time to prepare, is more broadly recognised across HR systems, and is a DoD 8570 requirement that CEH also satisfies — but Security+ gets you there faster. After Security+, add CEH if your specific role or employer requires it.
Is CySA+ harder than Security+?
Yes. CySA+ is a mid-level cert that assumes Security+ knowledge. It goes deeper into actual analyst skills — threat hunting, log analysis, vulnerability management, SIEM operations. Budget 4–6 months for CySA+ versus 8–12 weeks for Security+.
Does CISSP replace Security+?
CISSP supersedes Security+ in terms of career level, but it does not make Security+ irrelevant. If you already have Security+ and earn CISSP, you have both credentials visible on your resume — there is no reason to remove Security+. It demonstrates your career progression from foundation to expert level.

Security+ Is the Starting Point — Start Here

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