Exam Details
CompTIA · CS0-004
Prepare for CS0-004: Detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity threats using SOC tools, threat intelligence, and AI-aware security operations.
Overview
No ExamOS resources linked to this exam yet.
Approved links shared by the community. Earn credits when yours gets approved!
No community resources yet. Be the first to suggest one!
Know a strong article, guide, or explainer for this exam? Submit it for review and earn credits when it gets approved.
ExamOS may provide links to third-party websites, books, videos, courses, and other materials ("External Resources") for your convenience and reference. These resources are not created, owned, or controlled by ExamOS unless explicitly stated.
For official and up-to-date information, always refer to the certification provider website.
No resources have been linked to this exam yet.
Video Library
No video resources are available for this exam yet.
Found a strong walkthrough, lesson, or exam breakdown on YouTube? Submit it here and earn credits if it gets approved.
FAQ
The CompTIA CySA+ CS0-004 (V4) exam validates your ability to detect indicators of malicious activity, manage vulnerabilities, perform incident response, and communicate security findings. This intermediate-level, vendor-neutral certification targets security analysts who work in security operations centers (SOCs), perform threat hunting, and use tools like SIEM and SOAR to protect enterprise environments.
CySA+ bridges the gap between Security+ and advanced certifications like SecurityX by focusing on behavioral analytics and proactive threat detection. The V4 update introduces dedicated coverage of artificial intelligence in security operations, including AI use cases within the SOC, AI-related security risks, AI governance and oversight, and AI-enhanced threat detection workflows. It also expands coverage of modern security architectures such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), cloud-native security operations, and hybrid environment monitoring.
The exam has four weighted domains: Security Operations (34%), Vulnerability Management (26%), Incident Response and Management (24%), and Reporting and Communication (16%). Security Operations remains the heaviest domain, and Incident Response gained the most weight compared to CS0-003, rising from 20% to 24%.
Exam details: Maximum of 85 questions, 165 minutes, passing score of 750 on a scale of 100–900, and a registration fee of $425 USD. The certification is approved for DoD Directive 8140.03M compliance and is valid for three years.
As organizations shift from reactive to proactive security and adopt AI-driven tools, analysts with CySA+ skills are in high demand.
You're a fit for CS0-004 if you:
Not sure if you're ready? Try a free sample quiz: 10 questions, instant results, identify weak areas.
| Domain | Weight | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Security Operations | 34% | Analyze indicators of malicious activity across network, host, application, cloud, and identity systems using log analysis and threat detection tools. Includes AI use cases in the SOC, AI-related security risks, AI governance, and AI-enhanced threat detection. |
| Vulnerability Management | 26% | Scan for vulnerabilities, prioritize remediation based on risk, and manage vulnerability assessment processes in cloud and hybrid environments. |
| Incident Response and Management | 24% | Execute incident response processes including detection, containment, eradication, and recovery. Covers modern security architectures like ZTNA and SASE. |
| Reporting and Communication | 16% | Document findings, communicate vulnerabilities and incidents to stakeholders, and recommend remediation. |
You're probably ready if you can:
You might need more prep if:
If this feels too advanced:
If you know the basics but want to build confidence:
The CySA+ CS0-004 exam consists of a maximum of 85 questions with 165 minutes of testing time. Question types include multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs). The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE, either at a testing center or online proctored. PBQs simulate real security analyst tasks and require hands-on decision-making rather than simple recall.
The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. The exam fee is $425 USD, plus applicable taxes. CompTIA frequently offers exam vouchers with retake assurance, which bundle two attempts for one price within a 12-month window. The exam is approved for DoD Directive 8140.03M compliance, making it acceptable for U.S. Department of Defense roles.
The CS0-004 exam covers four domains, measured as of June 2026:
| Domain | CS0-003 | CS0-004 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Operations | 33% | 34% | +1 |
| Vulnerability Management | 30% | 26% | −4 |
| Incident Response and Management | 20% | 24% | +4 |
| Reporting and Communication | 17% | 16% | −1 |
Security Operations remains the largest domain at 34%. Incident Response and Management gained the most weight, rising four points to 24%. Vulnerability Management dropped four points to 26%. Reporting and Communication holds at 16%.
The V4 update introduces dedicated coverage of artificial intelligence in security operations, including AI use cases within the SOC, AI-related security risks, AI governance and oversight, and AI-enhanced threat detection. Modern security architectures are also expanded, covering Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), cloud-native security operations, and hybrid environment monitoring. The domain weightings shifted, with Incident Response gaining four points and Vulnerability Management losing four points. The exam structure did not change: both CS0-003 and CS0-004 run 85 questions in 165 minutes with the same passing score.
CySA+ is an intermediate-level, vendor-neutral certification positioned between CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA SecurityX. CompTIA recommends approximately four years of hands-on experience in a SOC analyst (Level 2) or vulnerability analyst role. There are no formal prerequisites, but the exam assumes familiarity with networking fundamentals, security concepts, and tools such as SIEM and EDR platforms. Target roles include Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Vulnerability Analyst, Threat Intelligence Analyst, Security Engineer, and Incident Responder.
The certification is valid for three years from the date you pass. You can renew by earning 60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within your three-year cycle, completing a CertMaster CE course, passing a higher-level CompTIA certification such as SecurityX, or retaking the latest CySA+ exam. CEUs are earned through training, teaching, publishing, or documented work experience. If you hold multiple CompTIA certifications, renewing the highest-level one automatically renews the lower ones.
If you fail the exam on your first attempt, you may retake it without any waiting period. If you fail on the second or any subsequent attempt, you must wait 14 calendar days from the date of your last attempt before trying again. Each attempt requires full payment of the exam fee unless you purchased a retake voucher.
CySA+ validates that you can detect, analyze, and respond to security threats in a SOC environment. It qualifies you for roles such as Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Vulnerability Analyst, Threat Intelligence Analyst, and Incident Responder. The certification is DoD 8140 approved, making it valuable for government and defense contracting roles. It is the natural next step after Security+ and builds toward SecurityX for senior-level cybersecurity roles.
| Certification | Exam Code | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CASP+) | CAS-005 | Expert-level security architecture and engineering |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | PT0-003 | Offensive security and penetration testing |
| ISC2 CISSP | CISSP | Senior security management and architecture |
ExamOS provides Mock Exams and Daily Sprints for these advanced certifications.