CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 Course
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About the course and examAbout the course and certification
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About the course author
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Pre-requisites
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Tools and tips to help you study more efficiently
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Study techniques that will help you pass
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What surprised me the most about the exam
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Domain 1: Threats, Attacks, and VulnerabilitiesAbout threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities
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1.1: Compare and contrast social engineering techniquesWhat is social engineering?
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Principles
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Spam
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Blocking and Managing Spam
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Phishing
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Smishing
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Vishing
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Spear Phishing
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Whaling
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Impersonation
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Dumpster diving
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Shoulder surfing
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Pharming
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Tailgating
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Eliciting information
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Prepending
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Identity fraud
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Invoice scams
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Credentials harvesting
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Reconnaissance
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Hoax
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Watering hole attack
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Typo squatting and URL hijacking
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Influence campaigns
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Hybrid warfare
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Practical knowledge check
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1.2: Analyze potential indicators to determine the type of attackWhat is malware?
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Malware classification
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Virus
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Worms
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Backdoor
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Trojans
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Remote Access Trojan (RAT)
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Ransomware and Crypto Malware
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How does ransomware work?
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Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)
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Spyware
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Adware and Malvertising
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Keyloggers
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Fileless malware
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Logic bombs
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Rootkit
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Bots and Botnets
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Command and control
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What are password attacks?
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Plaintext, encrypted, and hashed passwords
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Brute force
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Dictionary attacks
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Spraying attacks
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Rainbow and hash tables
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Credential stuffing
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What are physical attacks?
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Malicious universal serial bus (USB) cable
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Malicious flash drive
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Card cloning
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Skimming
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What is adversarial AI and tainted training for ML?
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Supply-chain attacks
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Cloud-based vs. on-premises attacks
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Cryptography concepts
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Cryptographic attacks
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Quiz: 1.23 Quizzes
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1.3: Analyze potential indicators associated with application attacksPrivilege escalation
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Improper input handling
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Improper error handling
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Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
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Structured Query Language (SQL) injections
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Dynamic Link Library (DLL) Injections
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Lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) Injections
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Extensible Markup Language (XML) and XPATH Injections
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XXE Injections
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Directory traversal
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Request forgeries (server-side, client-side, and cross-site)
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Application Programming Interface (API) attacks
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Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) stripping
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Replay attacks (session replays)
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Pass the hash
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Race conditions (time of check and time of use)
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Resource exhaustion
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Memory leak
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Pointer/object dereference
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Integer overflow
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Buffer overflows
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Driver manipulation (shimming and refactoring)
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Quiz 1.32 Quizzes
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1.4: Analyze potential indicators of network attacksWhat are wireless attacks?
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Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
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Rogue access point and Evil Twin
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Bluesnarfing and Bluejacking
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Disassociation and Jamming
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Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) attacks
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Near Field Communication (NFC)
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Initialization Vector (IV)
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Man in the middle (on-path)
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Man in the browser (on-path browser)
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What are layer 2 attacks?
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Address resolution protocol (ARP)
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Media access control (MAC) flooding
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MAC cloning
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What are Domain Name System (DNS) attacks and defenses?
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Domain hijacking
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DNS poisoning
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Universal resource locator (URL) redirection
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Domain reputation
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Quiz 1.41 Quiz
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1.5: Explain threat actors, vectors, and intelligence sourcesWhat are actors and threats?
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Attributes of actors
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Vectors
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Insider threats
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State actors
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Hacktivists
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Script kiddies
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Hackers (white hat, black hat, gray hat)
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Criminal syndicates
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Advanced persistent threats (APTs)
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Shadow IT
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Competitors
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Threat intelligence sources (OSINT and others)
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Using threat intelligence
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Research sources
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Quiz 1.51 Quiz
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1.6: Security concerns associated with various vulnerabilitiesCloud-based vs. on-premises vulnerabilities
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Zero-day vulnerabilities
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Weak configurations
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Weak encryption, hashing, and digital signatures
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Third-party risks
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Improper or weak patch management
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Legacy platforms
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Impacts
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Quiz 1.61 Quiz
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1.7: Summarizing techniques used in security assessmentsThreat hunting
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Vulnerability scans
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Security information and event management (SIEM) and Syslog
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Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR)
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Quiz 1.71 Quiz
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1.8: Explaining techniques used in penetration testingImportant pentesting concepts
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Bug bounties
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Exercise types (red, blue, white, and purple teams)
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Passive and active reconnaissance
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Quiz 1.81 Quiz
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Domain 2: Architecture and DesignAbout architecture and design
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2.1: Explaining the importance of security concepts in an enterprise environmentConfiguration management
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Data sovereignty
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Data protection
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Hardware security module (HSM) and Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
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Geographical considerations
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Cloud access security broker (CASB)
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Response and recovery controls
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Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) inspection
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Hashing
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API considerations
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Site resiliency
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Deception and disruption
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Quiz 2.11 Quiz
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2.2: Virtualization and cloud computing conceptsComparing cloud models
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Cloud service providers
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Virtualization
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Containers
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Microservices and APIs
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Serverless architecture
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MSPs and MSSPs
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On-premises vs. off-premises
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Edge computing
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Fog computing
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Thin client
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Infrastructure as Code
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Services integration
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Resource policies
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Transit gateway
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Quiz 2.21 Quiz
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2.3: Secure application development, deployment, and automation conceptsUnderstanding development environments
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Automation and scripting
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Version control
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Secure coding techniques
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Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
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Integrity measurement
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Software diversity
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Provisioning and deprovisioning
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Elasticity
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Scalability
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Quiz 2.31 Quiz
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2.4: Authentication and authorization design conceptsImportant authentication and authorization concepts
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Multifactor authentication (MFA) factors and attributes
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Quiz: MFA factors and attributes1 Quiz
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Authentication technologies
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Biometrics techniques and concepts
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Authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)
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Cloud vs. on-premises requirements
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Quiz 2.41 Quiz
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2.5: Implementing cybersecurity resilienceWhat is redundancy?
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Disk redundancy (RAID levels)
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Network redundancy
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Power redundancy
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Replication
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Backup types (full, incremental, differential, and snapshot)
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Backup types practice scenarios
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Backup devices and strategies
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Quiz: Backup types, devices, and strategies1 Quiz
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Non-persistence
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Restoration order
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Diversity
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Quiz 2.51 Quiz
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2.6: Security implications of embedded and specialized systemsWhat are embedded systems?
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System on a Chip (SoC)
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SCADA and ICS
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Internet of Things (IoT)
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Specialized systems
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VoIP, HVAC, Drones/AVs, MFP, RTOS, Surveillance systems
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Communication considerations
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Important constraints
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2.7: Importance of physical security controlsBollards/barricades, Mantraps, Badges, Alarms, Signage
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Lighting and fencing
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Cameras and Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
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Industrial camouflage
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Personnel, robots, drones/UAVs
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Locks
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Different sensors
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Fire suppression
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Protected cable distribution (PCD)
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Secure areas (air gap, faraday cages, DMZ, etc…)
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Hot and cold aisles
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Secure data destruction
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USB data blocker
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Quiz 2.71 Quiz
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2.8: Basics of cryptographyCommon use cases
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Key length
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Key stretching
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Salting, hashing, digital signatures
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Perfect forward secrecy
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Elliptic curve cryptography
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Ephemeral
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Symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption
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Key exchange
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Cipher suites
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Modes of operation
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Lightweight cryptography and Homomorphic encryption
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Steganography
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Blockchain
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Quantum and post-quantum
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Limitations
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Quizzes 2.82 Quizzes
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Domain 3: ImplementationAbout implementation
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3.1: Implement Secure ProtocolsImportant protocols to know and use cases
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Important email secure protocols
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IPsec and VPN
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FTPS, SFTP, SCP
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DNSSEC
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SRTP and NTPsec
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DHCP
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SNMP and SNMPv3
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Quiz 3.11 Quiz
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3.2: Implement host or application security solutionsEndpoint protection
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Self-encrypting drive (SED), full disk encryption (FDE), and file-level encryption
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Boot integrity
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Database and data security
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Application security
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Hardening hosts
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Sandboxing
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Quiz 3.21 Quiz
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3.3: Implement secure network designsDNS
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Load balancing
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Network segmentation
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East-West and North-South
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Jump servers (bastion hosts)
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Network Address Translation (NAT) Gateway
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Proxy servers
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Out-of-band management
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Quiz 3.3.11 Quiz
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Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and IPsec
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Network Access Control (NAC)
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Port security
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Network-based intrusion detection system (NIDS) and network-based intrusion prevention system (NIPS)
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Firewalls
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Next-Generation Firewalls
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Access Control List (ACL) and Security Groups (SGs)
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Quiz 3.3.21 Quiz
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Quality of Service (QoS)
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Implications of IPv6
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Port scanning and port mirroring
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File integrity monitors
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Quiz 3.3.31 Quiz
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3.4: Install and configure wireless security settingsCryptographic protocols
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Methods
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Authentication protocols
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Installation considerations
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Quiz 3.41 Quiz
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3.5: Implement secure mobile solutionsConnection methods and receivers
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Mobile deployment models
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Mobile device management (MDM)
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Mobile devices
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Enforcement and monitoring
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Quiz 3.51 Quiz
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3.6: Apply cybersecurity solutions to the cloudCloud security controls
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Secure cloud storage
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Secure cloud networking
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Secure cloud compute resources
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Secure cloud solutions
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Quiz 3.61 Quiz
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3.7: Implement identity and account management controlsUnderstanding identity
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Account types to consider
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Account policies to consider
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Quiz 3.71 Quiz
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3.8: Implement authentication and authorization solutionsAuthentication management
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Authentication protocols and considerations
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Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)
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RADIUS and TACACS+
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Kerberos, LDAP, and NTLM
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Federated Identities
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Access control schemes
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Recap notes from this section
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Quiz 3.81 Quiz
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3.9: Implement public key infrastructureWhat is public key infrastructure?
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Types of certificates
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Certificate formats
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Important concepts
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Quiz 3.91 Quiz
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4.0: Operations and Incident ResponseAbout operations and incident response
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4.1: Use the appropriate tools to assess organizational securityNetwork reconnaissance and discovery part 1
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Network reconnaissance and discovery part 2
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File manipulation
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Shell and script environments
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Packet capture and replay
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Forensics tools
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Exploitation frameworks
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Password crackers
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Data sanitization
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Quiz 4.11 Quiz
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4.2: Policies, processes, and procedures for incident responseIncident response plans
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Incident response process
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Important exercises
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Important attack frameworks
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BCP, COOP, and DRP
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Incident response team and stakeholder management
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Retention policies
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Quiz 4.21 Quiz
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4.3: Using appropriate data sources to support investigations after an incidentVulnerability scan outputs
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SIEM dashboards
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Log files
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Syslog, rsyslog, syslog-ng
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Journald and journalctl
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NXLog
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Bandwidth and network monitors
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Important and useful metadata
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Quiz 4.31 Quiz
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4.4: Applying mitigation techniques or controls to secure environments during an incidentReconfiguring endpoint security solutions
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Configuration changes
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Isolation, containment, and segmentation
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Secure Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)
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Quiz 4.41 Quiz
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4.5: Key aspects of digital forensicsDocumentation and evidence
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E-discovery, data recovery, and non-repudiation
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Integrity and preservation of information
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Acquisition
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On-premises vs. cloud
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Strategic intelligence and counterintelligence
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Quiz 4.51 Quiz
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Domain 5: Governance, Risk, and ComplianceAbout governance, risk and compliance
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5.1: Compare and contrast various types of controlsCategories
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Control types
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Quiz 5.11 Quiz
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5.2: Applicable regulations, standards, or frameworks that impact organizational security postureRegulations, standards, and legislation
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Key frameworks to know about
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Benchmarks and secure configuration guides
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Quiz 5.21 Quiz
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5.3: Importance of policies to organizational securityPersonnel
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User training
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Third-party risk management
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Data
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Credential policies
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Organizational policies
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Quiz 5.31 Quiz
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5.4 Risk management processes and conceptsTypes of risks
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Risk management strategies
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Risk analysis
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Disasters
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Business impact analysis
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Quiz 5.41 Quiz
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5.5: Privacy and sensitive data concepts in relation to securityOrganizational consequences of privacy breaches
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Notifications of breaches
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Data types
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Privacy enhancing technologies
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Roles and responsibilities
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Quiz 5.51 Quiz
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Course Recap and Next StepsLooking for the practice exams?
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Receiving your Certificate of Completion
Hello and welcome to Cybr’s CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 certification course. I know you’re excited to get started but please give me a few minutes first because there is some important information in this lesson.
The Security+ exam is considered by many to be one of the easier certifications to start with if you’re interested in cybersecurity. That’s not to say that the exam is super easy, especially if you don’t have much background in IT or if you have a hard time taking exams. However, my goal with this course is to make the exam seem like a walk in the park.
Domains
It does cover a wide range of topics, and that’s where most of the studying complexity comes from. In fact, there are 5 different domains:
- 1.0 Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities – which is 24% of the exam
- 2.0 Architecture and Design – which is 21% of the exam
- 3.0 Implementation – which is 25% of the exam
- 4.0 Operations and Incident Response – which is 16% of the exam
- 5.0 Governance, Risk, and Compliance – which is 14% of the exam

I’ve structured the syllabus to closely match CompTIA’s official exam guide and domains. Sometimes it might be a little bit out of order simply because I thought the new order would provide a better learning experience. But, if it’s in the CompTIA official guide, you can rest assured that it will be in my course.
I personally passed the SY0-601 exam recently, so I’ve been through what you’re about to go through both in terms of studying and in terms of taking the exam, and that also means I know what you can expect to see on the exam.
I’ve used that experience to craft this course, and to craft practice exams.
Practice Exams
Speaking of practice exams, by enrolling in the course on the Cybr website, you automatically receive access to our exams as well. They are not in the same syllabus, although there will be a link to them at the end of this syllabus in order to take you directly there once you’re ready. Otherwise, you can find the practice exams on our Courses page.
They’re in a separate “course” because that way you actually get 2 separate Certificates of Completion — one for completing the course, and one for completing all of the practice exams.
You can expect at least 3 sets of Performance-based Questions which mimic the types of performance-based questions you will get on the real exam, and you can also expect 3 sets of multiple-choice questions that range from 80 to 90 questions.
Those are the two main types of questions that you will see on the exam. Performance-based questions can include things like:
- Ordering
- Fill in the blank – such as configuring networking security on devices, for example
- Matching
The reason for the range in the number of questions is because not everyone will get the same number on their exam. I only got 82 questions, including 3 performance-based ones, which means I only got 79 multiple-choice questions. Others that I’ve talked to have gotten 85, and so on…
So this range provides a more realistic experience.
Passing score
In order to pass the real exam, you need to get at least a 750 on a scale of 100 – 900. For that reason, I recommend that you consistently get at least an 80% pass rate on my practice exams before you consider taking the real exam.
Experience needed?
CompTIA recommends that you have at least 2 years of work experience, and while I’ve known people with zero experience who have passed the exam after a few months of studying, I do expect that you have some IT knowledge, but I will also try not to make too many assumptions, and I will cover what you need to know in order to pass.
If you are a beginner and there are some concepts that you’re struggling with, don’t rush! This is not a race. Take your time and re-visit the lessons as many times as you need. Also, join our Discord community where I can help answer questions and where you can meet other students going through a similar journey.
Conclusion
There are a lot of exciting topics in this course, and then there are some drier or more boring topics. Either way, I’m going to do my best to keep it interesting and entertaining because I want you to be prepared and I want you to pass your CompTIA Security+ exam.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask — you can ask questions directly at the bottom of this page, or again, on our Discord community.
With that, let’s get started!
What is the discord server address
Hi Justin, the Discord can be accessed from https://cybr.com/discord