CompTIA CAS-005 Exam

The CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) exam is intended for highly experienced cybersecurity professionals. CompTIA recommends candidates have a minimum of 10 years of general hands-on IT experience, including at least 5 years of hands-on security experience, with knowledge equivalent to Network+, Security+, CySA+, Cloud+, and PenTest+. This certification is ideal for roles such as:

• Security Architect
• Senior Security Engineer
• Technical Security Consultant
• Infrastructure Designer
• Lead Incident Responder

It's designed for those who lead and improve an enterprise's cybersecurity readiness and implement complex security solutions.

Professionals holding the CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CASP+) certification can expect a competitive salary, which varies based on experience, job role, industry, and geographic location. On average, you can expect to earn between $100,000 and $140,000 annually. Some sources indicate an average salary around $127,451. For senior-level roles such as Security Architect, Cybersecurity Manager, or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), salaries can range from $115,000 to $140,000 or even higher with extensive experience. Entry-level professionals with the certification might start in the $80,000 to $90,000 range.

The CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) certification is valid for three years from the date you pass the exam. To maintain certification, professionals must earn 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within this three-year period. Renewal activities can include obtaining a higher-level CompTIA certification, passing the current or latest version of the SecurityX exam, participating in CompTIA's CertMaster CE program, or engaging in various training and professional development activities like attending webinars, completing training courses, publishing articles, or gaining relevant work experience. An annual renewal fee, totaling $150 over three years, is also typically required.

The CompTIA CAS-005 - CompTIA SecurityX exam (version V5) was launched on December 17, 2024. This version replaced the previous CASP+ (CAS-004) exam, which retired on June 17, 2025. CompTIA typically updates its certifications approximately every three years to ensure the content remains current with evolving technologies and industry best practices. Therefore, the next version (CAS-006) is estimated to be released around 2027.

The CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) exam covers four core domains, reflecting the advanced technical skills required for senior cybersecurity roles:

• Governance, Risk, and Compliance (20%): Focuses on implementing governance components, managing security programs (policies, procedures), performing risk management activities, and ensuring compliance with frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, COBIT, CMMC, PCI-DSS, SOX, HIPAA, FISMA, and GDPR.
• Security Architecture (27%): Deals with designing, implementing, and integrating secure solutions across complex, hybrid, and cloud environments, including zero trust architecture, network segmentation, PKI deployment, and secure application architecture.
• Security Engineering (31%): Covers the practical implementation and troubleshooting of security technologies, including identity and access management, endpoint security, network infrastructure, hardware security, specialized systems, automation, and cryptography. It also addresses the impact of emerging technologies like AI.
• Security Operations (22%): Encompasses monitoring, detection, incident response, vulnerability management, threat intelligence, data analysis, and forensic analysis to proactively support ongoing security operations.