SY0-801 Security+ V8 Launch: V8 vs SY0-701, Which to Take

Which Security+ exam to take right now

If you are ready to certify soon, take SY0-701 (Security+ V7). If you are starting from zero and have no deadline, plan for SY0-801 (Security+ V8). CompTIA says on its Security+ page that V7 "remains a strong option" for anyone ready to certify now.

The choice mostly comes down to timing. Use the table below as a quick filter.

What CompTIA has confirmed about V8

Verified on comptia.org on 5 November 2026: Security+ V8 is expected to launch on or around November 17, 2026. The page lists three areas of expanded coverage:

• AI-related risks

• Security operations

• Modern environments

Both versions are listed for the same roles: Security Analyst, Security Engineer and Systems Administrator. So V8 is an update to the same certification, not a different career track.

The V8 objectives, price and exact V7 retirement date are not confirmed yet, so check the CompTIA Security+ page before you pay.

SY0-701 and SY0-801 side by side

CompTIA normally keeps the old English exam available for about 6 to 7 months after a new version launches. If that pattern holds, V7 would stay open into mid-2027. That is a pattern, not a promise, so do not plan a test date near the end of that window.

Do not trust third-party sites that already list V8 domain weights. Wait for the official exam objectives PDF from CompTIA.

How a voucher bought now works with either version

A voucher bought now can be used on either version, so you do not need to guess today. You choose SY0-701 or SY0-801 when you schedule. One voucher covers one exam attempt.

Our store terms are simple:

• Your code is emailed within 12 hours of payment and also shown in your account.

• You can cancel for a full refund before the code is delivered.

• A delivered code is non-refundable unless the test provider rejects it as invalid, already used or expired on first use.

• In that case, contact support within 14 days with your order number and a screenshot. The code is replaced or refunded.

Full details are on our refund policy and delivery policy pages. Browse the Cybersecurity certification category to find the current CompTIA voucher listings.

Worked example

Say you start on 5 November with 6 hours a week. Eight weeks later is 31 December, which is after the expected V8 launch. If your study material is for V7, you can still book SY0-701 then, because V7 stays available for now. If you would rather test on V8, you can switch your plan once the official objectives appear.

Study plan if you test on SY0-701

This is an 8-week plan at about 6 to 8 hours a week. Build it from the official SY0-701 objectives, not from a blog summary.

1. Week 1: Download the objectives. Mark each line as green, yellow or red based on what you already know.

2. Weeks 2 to 3: Study your red items first. Take notes in your own words.

3. Weeks 4 to 5: Cover yellow items. Add hands-on practice: set up a free virtual machine and read real firewall and system logs.

4. Week 6: Take a full practice exam. Write down why every wrong answer was wrong.

5. Week 7: Re-study only your weak spots. Take a second practice exam.

6. Week 8: Light review, rest, and a check of your ID and booking details.

Aim for steady scores on practice exams before you book. One lucky score is not a signal.

Study plan if you wait for SY0-801

Start with the basics that are unlikely to disappear: threats, access control, cryptography, networking and incident response. This is general advice, not an official V8 list.

• Weeks 1 to 4 (about 5 hours a week): Build the foundations above with a current book or video course.

• When the V8 objectives are published: Compare them line by line with what you have covered. Add the new items.

• Next 4 to 6 weeks (6 to 8 hours a week): Focus on the three highlighted areas: how AI creates security risk, day-to-day security operations, and modern environments.

• Last 2 weeks: Practice exams written for V8 only.

Skip practice tests labeled V8 before the official objectives exist. They cannot be based on the final list.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for "the perfect version". A delay can cost months. If you are ready, V7 is a valid choice.

• Mixing study materials. Old V7 notes and early V8 guesses can send you studying the wrong things.

• Memorizing without practice. Security+ is for hands-on roles. Read logs, configure a firewall rule, and walk through an incident.

• Booking too late in V7's window. If you plan to test on V7, book well before it retires.

• Relying on unofficial weights. Use only CompTIA's published objectives.

After you pass

Security+ is aimed at Security Analyst, Security Engineer and Systems Administrator roles. Once you have some experience, a natural step up is advanced security certification such as CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005). Check the CompTIA page for your renewal requirements, since this guide only covers what CompTIA has published about the launch.

Sources

• CompTIA Security+ certification page

• Refund policy

• Delivery policy