Exam Details
CompTIA · CAS-005
Advance your cybersecurity skills with enterprise-level security architecture and risk management.
Practice with ExamOS for CompTIA SecurityX. Learn daily with scenario-based questions, timed quizzes, detailed explanations, and exam-style difficulty.
Who is this for?
Level: Advanced. This elite certification focuses on enterprise-level cybersecurity architecture and operations. While there are no strict prerequisites, CompTIA highly recommends candidates have at least ten years of general IT experience, including five years of broad, hands-on cybersecurity practice. You should have knowledge equivalent to Security+, CySA+, and PenTest+.
Are you ready?
This is not a beginner test. You are fully prepared if you can design secure systems, analyze advanced threats, and make risk-based decisions across complex hybrid environments rather than just focusing on individual tools. Put your senior security skills to the test today!
Overview
CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) is an advanced-level cybersecurity certification designed for professionals responsible for securing enterprise environments. It focuses on security architecture, risk management, incident response, and advanced threat analysis. The exam tests your ability to design and implement security solutions across complex systems, including cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments. Candidates are expected to understand how to assess risk, design secure architectures, and respond to sophisticated threats. SecurityX goes beyond foundational concepts and emphasizes real-world problem solving. You will encounter scenarios that require balancing security controls with operational requirements and business constraints. This certification is particularly relevant for professionals in roles such as security engineer, security architect, and senior analyst. It builds on prior experience and is often pursued after certifications like Security+. As organizations face increasingly complex security challenges, advanced certifications like SecurityX are valuable for professionals looking to specialize in enterprise security and move into higher-responsibility roles.
FAQ
The CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005)—formerly known as CASP+—is an advanced-level certification for security professionals who wish to remain immersed in the technical aspects of administration and engineering rather than strictly moving into management. It is designed for Security Architects, Senior Security Engineers, and Vulnerability Analysts. While there are no formal prerequisites, CompTIA strongly recommends a minimum of ten years of general IT experience, including at least five years of broad, hands-on security experience.
The CAS-005 exam consists of a maximum of 90 questions and you are given 165 minutes to complete it. The format is a mix of traditional multiple-choice questions and Performance-Based Questions (PBQs). PBQs are highly technical simulations that require you to solve security problems in a virtual environment (e.g., configuring a firewall, identifying a breach in a server log, or securing a cloud environment). Because of these simulations, time management is one of the biggest challenges of this exam.
The CAS-005 reflects the latest trends in cybersecurity, including heavy emphasis on cloud security, zero trust, and automation. The domains are:
No. CompTIA exams are strictly closed-book. You are not allowed to access any external documentation, the internet, or personal notes during the test. You must rely entirely on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. At the testing center, you will be provided with a digital notepad or a physical whiteboard for rough notes, but all technical information must be memorized.
Unlike foundational CompTIA exams, the CAS-005 (SecurityX) is a Pass/Fail exam only. CompTIA does not provide a numerical score. Your performance is evaluated against a mastery-level benchmark. To prepare for the high level of technical rigor required to pass, ExamOS offers scenario-based practice quizzes that build real exam confidence by simulating the complex engineering and architecture decisions found in the actual test.
The registration fee for the CAS-005 exam is currently $502 USD. Pricing may vary depending on your geographic location. CompTIA frequently offers "Voucher Bundles" on their official store that include a "Retake" voucher and the official study guide for a discounted total price. If you are currently a student, you may be eligible for significant discounts through the CompTIA Academic Store.
CompTIA has a structured retake policy to ensure the integrity of the certification:
The SecurityX certification is valid for three years. To keep your certification active, you must participate in the CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) program. You need to:
The SecurityX credential is held in high regard by enterprise organizations and the U.S. Department of Defense (it meets DoD 8570/8140 requirements for advanced technical roles). It qualifies you for roles such as Senior Security Architect, Lead Security Engineer, and Security Consultant. Because it focuses on technical "doing" rather than just "managing," it is often preferred by hiring managers for high-level technical leadership positions that require a deep understanding of infrastructure and incident response.
Once you have mastered the technical depths of SecurityX, your next steps usually involve moving toward broader management or high-level strategy: