CASP+CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner+
Created per CertMap methodology · About the editorial team →

▾ Jump to …4 sections
Overview
What is CASP+?
CompTIA's SecurityX (formerly CASP+, current exam code CAS-005) is one of the few vendor-neutral advanced certifications for technical security experts without management focus. It deliberately positions itself as a technical alternative to CISSP and is recognized by DoD and US government agencies as an 8570-compliant credential, which is a real advantage in government environments. In the private sector, market perception is mixed: CISSP clearly dominates job postings, but SecurityX provides a credible signal for technically deep skills. The pass/fail format without score disclosure is unusual and criticized by some as lacking transparency. Performance-based questions increase the practical rigor.
Quick facts
Key details
Cost, prerequisites, exam & renewal
Cost over 5 years
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites. Recommended: 10 years IT experience, including 5 years hands-on security.
Exam format
Max. 90 questions (multiple-choice + performance-based), 165 minutes, proctored via Pearson VUE. Passing threshold: Pass/Fail.
Renewal & maintenance
Valid for 3 years. Renewal through 75 CEUs or re-exam. Automatically renews all lower-level certs (Security+, CySA+, PenTest+).
Classification
CertMap score and matching roles
Rating
Matching NICE roles
More certifications
More certifications
From CompTIA
CySA+CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+PenTest+CompTIA PenTest+SecAI+CompTIA Security AI+Security+CompTIA Security+In GRC
CCISC2CGEITISACACRISCISACAGSEGIACGSECGIACPECB 22301FPECBPECB 22301LIPECBPECB 22301SLIPECBPECB 27001LIPECBPECB 27001SLIPECBPECB 27001TPECBPECB 31000FPECBPECB 31000LRMPECBPECB Cybersecurity FoundationPECBPECB DORA FoundationPECBPECB DORA Lead ManagerPECBPECB Lead Cybersecurity ManagerPECBPECB NIS2LIPECBSecurity+CompTIASSCPISC2T.I.S.P.TeleTrusTThis page follows CertMap methodology: editorial content is curated by hand. Score, costs and NICE mapping are aggregated from official provider documents. Score methodology → · TCO methodology →
Transparency: CertMap is operated by Daniel Thomas Heessel, who is also managing director of Threat‑Informed, a company specialising in Threat‑Informed Defense. CertMap currently receives no commissions from certification providers, no affiliate links, no sponsored placements. Podcast and interview guests are not paid for appearances and receive no affiliate commissions.
From the knowledge base
View all articles →CISSP or CISM? Two Careers, One Decision
Both require five years of experience, both cost roughly the same at first glance. Yet CISSP and CISM lead to different professions. The comparison with the numbers that course providers don't show.
CISM or CISA? Two ISACA paths, one directional decision
Both come from ISACA, both require five years of experience, and both cost almost the same. The difference is not the price but the role: managing or auditing. The comparison with the numbers and the role mapping.
CC or Security+? The Free Entry Point and the Job-Market Classic
Both are entry-level certifications with no admission barrier, both cover the fundamentals of cybersecurity, and yet they stand for different strategies: one as a low-threshold, temporarily free start, the other as an established credential with weight in the job market. The comparison with the numbers and the opposing cost logic.

1:1 with the CISO
Need the full picture for your case?
Personal strategy instead of weeks of self-research. Vendor-independent, with auditable recommendations and transparent sources.