Reviewed September 30, 2026 against CompTIA exam objectives v2.0
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CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-004) is a vendor-neutral certification for cybersecurity analysts that validates skills in security operations, vulnerability management, incident response, and reporting and communication.
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- Questions
- Maximum of 85
- Time
- 165 minutes
- Passing score
- 750
- Exam voucher
- $439
CS0-004 exam details
Official format, scoring, and dates as published by CompTIA.
| Exam code | CS0-004 (V4) |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Maximum of 85 |
| Length of test | 165 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 (on a scale of 100–900) |
| Launch date | June 23, 2026 |
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| Question types | Multiple-choice and performance-based |
|---|---|
| Retirement | Not yet announced by CompTIA |
| Languages | English (French, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese announced as coming soon) |
| Recommended experience | About 4 years in a SOC analyst or vulnerability analyst role |
| Exam objectives version | 2.0 |
Exam voucher pricing varies by region and changes over time — check the official CySA+ page for the current price.
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Why practice CS0-004 with CompCertQuiz?
Questions are mapped to all 4 official exam domains, and your results break down by domain so you know which to study first.
Every question has an explanation that teaches the concept, not just which letter is correct.
The bank includes multiple-select and drag-and-drop performance-based questions in the style of the real exam, not only multiple choice.
Exam mode is timed like the real test; practice mode gives instant feedback. Questions are original, never leaked exam content.
Try a CS0-004 performance-based question
PBQs appear early on the real exam and trip up candidates who only practised multiple choice. Match each analyst action to the incident response phase it belongs to.
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How the CS0-004 questions are built
Mapped to the objectives
Each question targets one of the 4 official domains in CompTIA's Exam Objectives v2.0.
Explained, not just keyed
Every answer comes with the reasoning, including why the wrong options are wrong.
Sourced and original
Questions are written from scratch and cite CompTIA, NIST, IETF, OWASP or CISA material. No real exam content, ever.
Audited before publishing
Every question is checked for technical accuracy, objective alignment and distractor quality before it goes live.
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Free vs full CS0-004 access
Start free. Upgrade when you want the whole bank and a timed rehearsal.
| Feature | Free | Full ($14.99) |
|---|---|---|
| Practice questions | 40 | 500 |
| Practice mode (instant feedback) | Yes | Yes |
| Timed exam simulation | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime access, one payment | No | Yes |
What is CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-004)?
CS0-004 is the blue-team analyst exam: interpret logs and telemetry, spot indicators of malicious activity, use security tools, apply threat intelligence and threat hunting, run and analyze vulnerability scans, prioritize remediation, and execute the incident response process.
Security Operations is the biggest domain at 34%, followed by Vulnerability Management (26%) and Incident Response and Management (24%). Reporting and Communication (16%) is often underestimated — it tests how you present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
This version adds a dedicated objective on the use of AI in security operations. The exam allows up to 165 minutes for a maximum of 85 questions, including performance-based items, so pacing matters.
Who should take CS0-004?
- SOC analysts and threat-detection specialists
- Vulnerability analysts and security engineers moving into detection and response
- Security+ holders ready for an analyst-level, hands-on credential
Job roles this supports
- Security operations center (SOC) analyst
- Vulnerability analyst
- Threat intelligence analyst
- Incident responder
- Security engineer
CS0-004 exam domains and objectives
4 domains and 15objectives, weighted by share of the exam. Objective titles are quoted from CompTIA's Exam Objectives document v2.0.
1.0Security Operations (34%)
System and network architecture in security operations, indicators of malicious activity, tools, threat intelligence and hunting, process improvement, and AI in security operations.
- 1.1Explain concepts related to system and network architecture in security operations.
- 1.2Given a scenario, analyze indicators of potential malicious activity.
- 1.3Given a scenario, use tools to determine malicious activity.
- 1.4Explain threat intelligence and threat-hunting concepts.
- 1.5Explain the importance of efficiency and process improvement in security operations.
- 1.6Summarize concepts related to the use of AI in security operations.
2.0Vulnerability Management (26%)
Choosing scanning methods, analyzing scanner output, prioritizing and mitigating vulnerabilities, and control types and risk concepts.
- 2.1Given a scenario, implement the appropriate vulnerability scanning method.
- 2.2Given a scenario, analyze output from vulnerability assessment tools.
- 2.3Given a scenario, analyze data to prioritize and mitigate vulnerabilities.
- 2.4Explain concepts related to control types, risks, and vulnerability management.
3.0Incident Response and Management (24%)
Attack-methodology frameworks, the incident response process, and applying incident response techniques.
- 3.1Summarize concepts related to attack methodology frameworks.
- 3.2Summarize the incident response process.
- 3.3Given a scenario, implement incident response techniques.
4.0Reporting and Communication (16%)
Communicating vulnerability-management and incident-response results in reports and to stakeholders.
- 4.1Explain the importance of vulnerability management reporting and communication.
- 4.2Explain the importance of security operations and incident response reporting and communication.
Which CS0-004 domain is your weakest? Find out in 5 questions.
Try 5 free questionsCS0-004 study plan
About 7 hours a week for 12weeks, with time split in proportion to each domain's exam weighting. Adjust up if the material is new to you and down if you work in it daily.
| Domain | Exam weight | Suggested hours |
|---|---|---|
| Security Operations | 34% | 29 h |
| Vulnerability Management | 26% | 22 h |
| Incident Response and Management | 24% | 20 h |
| Reporting and Communication | 16% | 13 h |
Exam-day tips for CS0-004
- 1Practice reading raw logs, packet captures, and scanner output — analysis questions give you the data and ask for the conclusion.
- 2Know how CVSS scores, asset criticality, and exploitability combine to prioritize remediation.
- 3Learn the incident response phases and the attack frameworks (MITRE ATT&CK, Diamond Model, Cyber Kill Chain) and what each is for.
- 4Distinguish indicators of compromise from indicators of attack, and false positives from false negatives.
- 5With 165 minutes for up to 85 questions, do PBQs when your focus is highest, not necessarily first.
CS0-004 frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the CS0-004 exam and how long is it?
CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-004) has maximum of 85 questions and a 165 minutes time limit. Question types include multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs).
What is the passing score for CS0-004?
The CS0-004 passing score is 750 (on a scale of 100–900).
What domains does CS0-004 cover and how are they weighted?
According to CompTIA’s exam objectives (version 2.0), CS0-004 covers 4 domains: Security Operations (34%), Vulnerability Management (26%), Incident Response and Management (24%), Reporting and Communication (16%).
When did CySA+ CS0-004 launch?
CompTIA launched CS0-004 on June 23, 2026. It is the current CySA+ exam; check comptia.org for the retirement date of any earlier version if you are considering it.
What is new in CySA+ CS0-004?
The objectives include a dedicated item on AI in security operations (1.6), alongside updated coverage of threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident response, and reporting.
Do I need Security+ before CySA+?
There is no formal prerequisite, but CySA+ assumes Security+ level knowledge and about four years in a SOC or vulnerability-analyst role.
CySA+ or PenTest+?
CySA+ is defensive — detection, analysis, and response. PenTest+ is offensive — planning and executing authorized penetration tests. Choose based on your role; many security professionals eventually earn both.
Is CS0-004 the current version and when does it retire?
CS0-004 (exam version V4) launched on June 23, 2026. Retirement: Not yet announced by CompTIA. Confirm current dates on comptia.org before booking.
How long is CompTIA CySA+ valid?
CompTIA certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass and can be renewed through CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program or by passing the current version of the exam.
How many CS0-004 practice questions does CompCertQuiz have, and what does it cost?
CompCertQuiz has 500 CS0-004 practice questions mapped to the official exam domains, each with a detailed explanation. 40 are free with no credit card. Full access is a one-time $14.99, or $11.99 a month for every CompTIA certification, with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
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Sources and how this page is maintained
- Exam facts (questions, length, passing score, launch date, languages, recommended experience) and the domain and objective lists come from CompTIA's published exam details and Exam Objectives document v2.0 for CS0-004. Official page: comptia.org.
- Study-plan hours and exam tips are CompCertQuiz editorial guidance, not CompTIA content.
- Last reviewed September 30, 2026. CompTIA can change exam details; confirm on comptia.org before you book.
- Spotted an error or an out-of-date detail? Tell us and we will correct it. See About CompCertQuiz for who we are.
- CompCertQuiz is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA, and CompTIA, A+, Network+, Security+, Cloud+, Linux+, CySA+, and SecAI+ are trademarks of CompTIA, Inc. We never publish or use real exam questions.
CS0-004 study guides
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