CompTIA CY0-001 Exam

This certification is ideal for cybersecurity professionals working at the intersection of AI and cyber defense. It is recommended for individuals with 3-4 years of IT experience, including at least 2 years in a hands-on cybersecurity role. While there are no formal prerequisites, familiarity with CompTIA Security+, CySA+, or PenTest+ (or equivalent knowledge) is suggested. Roles that would benefit include AI Security Engineers, MLSecOps professionals, Security Analysts specializing in AI, and those involved in securing AI/ML deployments.

Professionals with expertise in AI cybersecurity can command competitive salaries. The average annual pay for an AI Security Engineer in the United States is around $152,773 per year as of July 2026. Salaries typically range between $143,000 and $158,500, with top earners potentially reaching $205,000 annually, depending on skill level, location, and years of experience. Other sources show an average AI Security Engineer median salary of $185,930, with a range of $149K-$234K. For AI Cybersecurity roles broadly, salaries can range from $111,000 to $150,000, with an average around $132,962 per year.

CompTIA SecAI+ certification is valid for three years from the date you earn it. To renew, certified professionals must participate in CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program. This involves earning a specific number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within the three-year cycle through various approved activities such as:

• Passing the latest version of the CompTIA SecAI+ exam.
• Earning a higher-level CompTIA certification.
• Earning other approved IT industry certifications.
• Completing training courses or college coursework.
• Attending conferences or webinars.
• Publishing relevant articles, white papers, or books.
• Gaining related work experience.

CE fees are typically required for renewal, though they are waived if you renew by passing a newer version of the exam.

The CompTIA SecAI+ (CY0-001) certification was officially launched on February 17, 2026. CompTIA typically updates its certifications every three to five years to ensure the content remains current with industry trends and technologies. The estimated retirement for the CY0-001 version is approximately three years after its launch.

The CompTIA SecAI+ (CY0-001) curriculum covers essential knowledge and skills at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. Key technical topics and domain knowledge include:

• **Core AI Concepts and Terminology:** Understanding foundational AI/ML principles relevant to cybersecurity.
• **Securing AI Systems:** Implementing controls and protections for AI models, data pipelines, and infrastructure against adversarial attacks, data poisoning, and model evasion.
• **AI for Security Operations:** Leveraging AI technologies to enhance threat detection, automate security workflows, accelerate incident response, and scale security operations.
• **Defending Against AI-Driven Threats:** Identifying and mitigating risks from automated malware, malicious use of generative AI, and other AI-powered attacks.
• **AI Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC):** Navigating global GRC frameworks, ensuring ethical AI adoption, and understanding data privacy in AI systems.
• **Secure AI Integration:** Incorporating AI securely into DevSecOps pipelines and broader enterprise security strategies.