Security+ Exam Preparation
1 Credit Independent Study
Dates/Time: Spring, Fall or Summer Semester – 1 credit independent study
Instructor: Angela F. Kern, CISSP, CISA, A+, Net+, CCENT, MBA, M.Ed.
Email: akern@tcl.edu Cell: 717-332-2498
Office: Beaufort Campus, Building 14, Room 116
Required Textbooks:
CompTIA Security+ Certification Kit: Exam SY0-601 6th Edition by Mike Chapple,
David Seidl
ISBN-13: 978-1119794004
Amazon bundle: https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Certification-Kit-SY0-601/dp/1119794005
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to equip participants with the resources and knowledge required to pass
the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. The course will help the student assess and define their
current knowledge base in the information security field. The actual Security+ exam is not included
with this course and should be scheduled through CompTIA and PearsonVue. This course includes
practice exams and simulations that other Security+ credential owners report was key to their passing
the exam. Successful completion of this course is based on three deliverables: Goal statement,
practice test score spreadsheet, and a final assessment of student readiness for Security+ exam.
Course Overview
Security+ ensures an IT professional has the knowledge and skills to:



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install and configure systems to secure applications, networks, and devices;
perform threat analysis and respond with appropriate mitigation techniques;
participate in risk mitigation activities; and
operate with an awareness of applicable policies, laws, and regulations.
Grading Scale:
Passing the CompTIA Security+ exam by the last day of the term will result in an “A” grade for the
independent study. Without a passing score on the CompTIA certification exam the maximum grade a
student may earn is a “B” if all the deliverables are completed by the last day of the term. A deferred
grade will be issued if the student has evidence of scheduled exam within 60 days of the end of term.
Deliverables:
1. One-page summary of your goals for this independent study. 33% of final grade
2. A spreadsheet or table that tracks pre and post-practice test scores by domain with a ranking or
inventory of your knowledge in each of the five domains. Identify which areas are problematic and
may require more in-depth study and investigation. Research and locate material to address
knowledge deficiencies identified in practice exams. 33% of final grade
3. Prepare an assessment of your readiness for the Security+ exam, by completing two or more of the
full-length practice exams. Select a test location and research test dates and times. Summarize
your plan for taking the certification exam. Discuss the process of getting certified (by CompTIA)
after passing the Network+ exam. 34% of final grade
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Security+ Exam Preparation
1 Credit Independent Study
Computer Requirements
You may use a Microsoft PC, Chromebook or Apple MAC for this course. You may use the computers
on campus to complete assignments, and the library loans out PCs to students as well. You may go to
www.tcl.edu/library to reserve a laptop computer to use for this class.
Software Requirements
All practice exam software and online books are accessible via any web browser such as Microsoft
Edge, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Mozilla Firefox. Some browsers work better than others. If you
are having difficulty accessing something, try a different browser.
See https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security#examdetails for EXAM DETAILS
Exam Codes
SY0-501
SY0-601 (current exam)
Launch Date
October 4, 2017
November 12, 2020 until July 2023
Exam
Description
The CompTIA Security+ exam will certify the
successful candidate has the knowledge and skills
required to install and configure systems to secure
applications, networks, and devices; perform threat
analysis and respond with appropriate mitigation
techniques; participate in risk mitigation activities;
and operate with an awareness of applicable policies,
laws, and regulations. The successful candidate will
perform these tasks to support the principles of
confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The CompTIA Security+ certification exam will
verify the successful candidate has the
knowledge and skills required to assess the
security posture of an enterprise environment
and recommend and implement appropriate
security solutions; monitor and secure hybrid
environments, including cloud, mobile, and IoT;
operate with an awareness of applicable laws
and policies, including principles of governance,
risk, and compliance; identify, analyze, and
respond to security events and incidents
Number of
Questions
Maximum of 90 questions
Type of
Questions
Multiple choice and performance-based
Length of Test
90 minutes
Passing Score
750 (on a scale of 100-900)
Recommended
CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus
Experience
Languages
English, Japanese, Portuguese and Simplified Chinese English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Portuguese
Retirement
English retired: July 31, 2021
All other languages retire: Q1 2022
Usually three years after launch
Pearson VUE
Testing
Provider
Price
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
https://www.comptia.org/testing/testing-options/take-in-person-exam
https://www.comptia.org/testing/testing-options/take-online-exam
$381 USD (See all pricing) https://www.comptia.org/testing/exam-vouchers/exam-prices#security
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Security+ Exam Preparation
1 Credit Independent Study
Suggested Student Study Schedule
Dates
Allow 1-2
weeks per
lesson and
2-4 hours
per lesson
Submit deliverables via Blackboard - Learning Management System (LMS)
Topic
Assignment
Deliverable
Week 01
 Read official study guide introduction What is your goal for the exam Prep course?
Why Security+?  Setup online access to study guide
 Write a one-page (or less) summary of
and practice test materials.
your goals for this course and submit in LMS
 Take full length Practice Exam 1
 Create a spreadsheet or other table to
(Seidl)
track your practice test scores and progress.
Week 02 –
Explain various types of attacks, such as wireless, application and
 Update your score
Threats, Attacks social engineering.
tracking
& Vulnerabilities Explain various types of malware.
spreadsheet for
(Domain 1)
 Read study guide chapters
Week 02 –
 Complete Review Questions
 Take Practice Exam (Seidl) – Threats, Attacks & Vulnerabilities.
Week 03 –
Explain network design elements and components and implement
 Update your score
Architecture &
common protocols and services. Implement security configuration
tracking
Design
parameters on network devices and other types of technology.
spreadsheet for
(Domain 2)
 Read (Chapple) Chapters for Architecture & Design
Week 03 –
 Complete Review Questions
 Take Practice Exam (Seidl) for Architecture & Design
Week 04 –
 Read (Chapple) Chapters for Implementation
 Update your score
Implementation  Complete Review Questions
spreadsheet for
(Domain 3)
 Take Practice Exam (Seidl) Implementation.
Week 04 –
Week 05 –
 Read (Chapple) Chapters on Operations and Incident Response  Update your score
Operations &
 Complete Review Questions
tracking
Incident Response  Take Practice Exam (Seidl) on Operations and Incident
spreadsheet for
(Domain 4)
Response
Week 05 –
Week 06 –
 Read (Chapple) Chapters on Governance, Risk & Compliance
 Update your score
Governance, Risk  Complete Review Questions
tracking
& Compliance
 Take Practice Exam (Seidl) on Governance, Risk & Compliance
spreadsheet for
(Domain 5)
Week 06 –
Week 07 –
 Review All five domains, retake practice exams.
 Update score
tracking
Week 08 – Final  Take full length practice exam 1 and/or 2 from Study Guide
 Update your score
Assessment
(Chapple) and record score.
tracking spreadsheet
 Take final full-length Practice Exam 2 (Seidl) - record score.
for Week 08 and
 Analyze and identify weak knowledge areas or topics.
submit in LMS
 Draft a study plan to address weak knowledge areas.
 Submit readiness
assessment in LMS
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