The cybersecurity certification landscape is increasingly crowded, with each credential promising career advancement and validation of expertise. CompTIA recently rebranded its Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) certification to SecurityX, positioning it as part of their “Xpert” level certification series. But beyond the marketing, professionals need to critically evaluate: is this certification genuinely worth the investment?
This analysis provides an unvarnished look at CompTIA SecurityX, examining its actual value against competitors, highlighting both strengths and limitations. We’ll consider practical questions: Does SecurityX truly validate the skills employers value? How does it measure up against established certifications like CISSP, GIAC, or CISM? Are there situations where alternative certifications might serve you better?
The cybersecurity field demands critical thinking, and that same scrutiny should apply to certification decisions. This article aims to cut through marketing claims to help you determine if SecurityX aligns with your career goals, or if your time and money might be better invested elsewhere. Whether you’re a current CASP+ holder concerned about the transition, a security professional mapping your certification path, or an employer evaluating credentials, this balanced assessment provides the information needed to make an informed decision about SecurityX’s actual worth in today’s competitive job market.
CompTIA SecurityX, formerly CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner), is CompTIA’s expert-level cybersecurity certification targeting security architects and senior engineers. Scheduled to launch December 17, 2024 (exam code CAS-005), it represents CompTIA’s highest-level security credential.
The Rebranding from CASP+ to SecurityX
The transition from CASP+ to SecurityX is primarily a marketing refresh emphasizing its position as an “Xpert” level certification. While this rebranding doesn’t fundamentally change the certification’s content, it does raise questions about whether the changes are substantive improvements or primarily cosmetic. Current CASP+ holders will automatically receive the SecurityX badge.
Key Focus Areas
SecurityX covers four domains:
- Security Architecture (27%) – Analyzing requirements for hybrid networks, zero trust security architecture, cloud solutions
- Security Operations (22%) – Threat management, vulnerability management, incident response
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance (20%) – Organizational resilience and regulatory compliance
- Security Engineering (31%) – Endpoint security, enterprise mobility, PKI and cryptographic solutions
CompTIA positions SecurityX as unique for hands-on practitioners rather than managers, focusing on implementation rather than just policy creation. However, this positioning overlaps with territories well-covered by existing certifications like GIAC’s technically-oriented offerings.
The Reality Beyond Marketing
While CompTIA claims SecurityX is “the only hands-on, performance-based certification for advanced practitioners,” this statement deserves scrutiny. Several GIAC certifications feature hands-on components, and many specialized certifications (like Offensive Security’s) are substantially more hands-on. SecurityX’s performance-based questions, while valuable, represent only a portion of the exam and may not match the depth of lab-based alternatives.
SecurityX does maintain the advantage of being vendor-neutral, potentially offering broader applicability than vendor-specific certifications. However, this generality may come at the cost of the depth offered by more specialized credentials.
Who Should Pursue SecurityX?
SecurityX targets experienced security professionals, but determining whether it’s the right certification requires honest assessment of your career goals and alternatives.
Experience Prerequisites
CompTIA recommends candidates have:
- 10+ years of hands-on IT experience
- 5+ years of hands-on security experience
- Knowledge comparable to Network+, Security+, CySA+, and other CompTIA certifications
These substantial requirements raise a legitimate question: if you already have a decade of experience, would a different advanced certification provide better return on investment?
Ideal Candidates
SecurityX makes the most sense for:
- Security professionals specifically working in environments that value CompTIA certifications
- Government or DoD contractors needing to fulfill 8140 Directive requirements
- Organizations with established CompTIA certification pathways
- Professionals already holding other CompTIA certifications seeking a logical next step
- Technical security staff wanting validation of both architecture and implementation skills
When Alternative Certifications Might Be Better
Consider alternatives to SecurityX if:
- You’re management-focused: CISSP or CISM would likely provide better recognition and relevance
- You need specialized technical depth: GIAC certifications (like GCED, GCIH, GPEN) offer more technical depth in specific domains
- You’re seeking the highest industry recognition: ISC²’s CISSP remains the gold standard for security certifications
- You need vendor-specific expertise: Cloud-specific certifications from AWS, Azure, or Google may provide more direct value
- You want defensive specialist recognition: SANS/GIAC certifications have stronger reputations among technical practitioners
SecurityX occupies a somewhat awkward middle ground – more technical than management certifications but less specialized than technical deep-dive certifications. This position can be either an advantage or limitation depending on your specific career context.
What Makes SecurityX Unique?
SecurityX has legitimate differentiators but also faces significant limitations compared to alternatives. Understanding both helps determine if its unique attributes align with your needs.
Actual Strengths
Breadth of Coverage: SecurityX genuinely covers a wide range of security domains, from architecture to implementation, governance to operations. This breadth serves generalists working across multiple security domains.
Performance-Based Elements: While not entirely hands-on, SecurityX does include performance-based questions that go beyond simple multiple-choice, testing practical knowledge application.
Vendor-Neutral Approach: SecurityX avoids tying knowledge to specific products, potentially making skills more transferable across different technology environments.
DoD 8140 Approval: For government contractors or military-adjacent work, SecurityX’s approval under DoD 8140 provides tangible value for meeting compliance requirements.
Logical Progression: For professionals who have followed CompTIA’s certification path, SecurityX represents a natural next step after Security+ and CySA+.
Significant Limitations
Less Recognized Than Competitors: Despite CompTIA’s marketing, SecurityX/CASP+ hasn’t achieved the industry recognition of CISSP, making it potentially less valuable on resumes.
Limited Performance Testing: The “performance-based” aspects are relatively constrained compared to truly hands-on certifications like those from Offensive Security.
Generalist Approach: The broad coverage means SecurityX lacks the technical depth found in specialized certifications, potentially making it less valuable for specialist roles.
Few Job Postings Specifically Request It: Job requirement data shows relatively few postings specifically requesting CASP+/SecurityX compared to CISSP or even Security+.
Renewal Costs: Maintaining the certification requires ongoing investment in CompTIA’s ecosystem, either through continuing education or exam retakes.
SecurityX occupies a specific niche that may or may not align with your career needs – evaluate these factors against your specific job market and career goals.
SecurityX vs. Other Advanced Security Certifications
Understanding how SecurityX truly compares to alternatives provides crucial context for determining its value. Let’s examine objective comparisons with major competitors:
SecurityX vs. CISSP
Factor | SecurityX | CISSP |
Industry Recognition | Moderate | Extremely High |
Job Posting Requirements | Infrequent | Very Common |
Focus | Technical implementation | Security management with technical elements |
Format | Multiple-choice + performance-based | Multiple-choice |
Experience Required | 10 years IT/5 years security (recommended) | 5 years security (required) |
Annual Salary Impact | Moderate | Significant (+$15-25K in many markets) |
Maintenance | 75 CEUs/3 years | 120 CPEs/3 years |
Cost | ~$500 (estimated) | $749 |
Reality Check: While SecurityX may be more technically-oriented, CISSP’s vastly superior industry recognition often makes it the better career investment despite being more management-focused.
SecurityX vs. GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender (GCED)
Factor | SecurityX | GCED |
Technical Depth | Moderate | High |
Hands-on Testing | Limited simulation | Practical application |
Cost | ~$500 (estimated) | ~$2,499 |
Specialization | Broad coverage | Focused defensive operations |
Training Required | Self-study possible | Typically requires expensive training |
Renewal | 75 CEUs/3 years | Retesting every 4 years |
Reality Check: GCED is significantly more expensive but provides substantially deeper technical validation that sophisticated employers may value more highly.
SecurityX vs. Cloud Security Certifications (CCSP, AWS, Azure)
As organizations rapidly migrate to cloud environments, specialized cloud security certifications often provide more directly applicable value than SecurityX’s broader approach. For professionals focusing on cloud environments, certifications like:
- ISC² Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate
- Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer
These often provide more relevant and recognized validation for cloud security roles than SecurityX’s partial cloud coverage.
The honest assessment: while SecurityX has legitimate value, alternative certifications frequently outperform it in recognition, specialization, or practical application depending on your specific career focus.
Exam Details and Preparation
Understanding SecurityX’s exam structure helps determine if the certification process aligns with your learning style and availability.
Exam Structure
- Exam Code: CAS-005
- Questions: Maximum of 90 questions
- Types: Multiple-choice and performance-based questions
- Time Limit: 165 minutes
- Passing Score: Pass/fail (no published minimum score)
- Testing Options: Pearson VUE (testing center or online)
- Languages: To be determined (previous version in English, Japanese, Thai)
Exam Domains
The exam coverage breaks down as:
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance (20%)
- Security Architecture (27%)
- Security Engineering (31%)
- Security Operations (22%)
Preparation Realities
CompTIA offers various preparation materials, but candidly:
Official Materials Limitations: CompTIA’s official study guides often contain errors or outdated information, as noted in numerous online reviews. Third-party materials frequently offer better preparation.
Study Time Investment: Most successful candidates report studying 80-120 hours over 2-4 months, representing a significant time commitment.
Alternative Preparation Approaches: Some candidates find greater value in practical security projects, contributing to open-source security tools, or participating in CTF competitions as preparation – activities that build both resume experience and certification readiness.
When evaluating SecurityX, consider not just the exam fee but the total preparation investment in time and resources, and whether that same investment might yield greater returns in other professional development activities or alternative certifications.
Career Impact and ROI
An objective assessment of SecurityX’s return on investment requires looking beyond CompTIA’s marketing to examine real-world career impact.
Potential Benefits
SecurityX certification may provide:
- Validation of advanced technical knowledge
- Differentiation from professionals with only entry-level certifications
- Qualification for roles requiring DoD 8140-approved certifications
- Demonstration of commitment to professional development
- Possible salary premium for specific roles valuing CompTIA certifications
Realistic Limitations
Honest assessment reveals several constraints:
- Limited Recognition: SecurityX doesn’t have the same employer recognition as CISSP or specialized GIAC certifications
- Rarely Required: Few job postings specifically require SecurityX/CASP+
- Moderate Salary Impact: Data suggests SecurityX holders see smaller salary premiums than CISSP or CISM holders
- Value Decreases with Experience: As your experience grows, certifications generally become less impactful compared to demonstrated project success
When the ROI Makes Sense
SecurityX offers positive ROI primarily when:
- Your employer specifically values or requires CompTIA certifications
- You need to fulfill DoD 8140 requirements for government/military work
- You’re transitioning from mid-level to senior technical security roles
- Your organization subsidizes the certification costs
- You’re in a job market where CompTIA certifications are particularly valued
When Alternative Investments May Yield Better Returns
Your time and money might provide better returns through:
- Pursuing CISSP for broader industry recognition
- Obtaining specialized certifications matching your specific career path
- Investing in hands-on labs and projects that build demonstrable skills
- Contributing to open-source security projects to build your portfolio
- Focusing on cloud security certifications if working in modern environments
The objective reality: SecurityX provides positive ROI in specific contexts, but alternative credentials or skill-building activities frequently offer better returns for many security professionals.
Conclusion: Is SecurityX Worth It?
After objective analysis, SecurityX’s value proposition is nuanced and context-dependent:
SecurityX makes sense when:
- You’re building on existing CompTIA certifications
- Your employer specifically values or requires CompTIA credentials
- You need to satisfy DoD 8140 requirements
- You want validation of both security architecture and implementation skills
- You’re a generalist working across multiple security domains
- Your organization is subsidizing the certification costs
Alternative certifications likely provide better value when:
- You’re seeking maximum industry recognition (CISSP)
- You’re focused on security management (CISSP, CISM)
- You need specialized technical depth in specific domains (GIAC)
- You work primarily in cloud environments (CCSP, AWS/Azure/Google)
- You need the most respected technical validation (Offensive Security, SANS)
- You’re looking for the best salary impact (CISSP typically outperforms)
The honest assessment: SecurityX occupies a middle ground between management and specialized technical certifications. This position creates value in specific contexts but limits its universal appeal. For many security professionals, alternative certifications or skill-building activities will provide better career returns.
The most prudent approach: evaluate SecurityX against your specific career goals, job market, and employer values rather than accepting any certification’s marketing claims at face value.
