Security+ SY0-801: release date and what changes
SY0-801 is the new CompTIA Security+ exam. See what changes from SY0-701, the new domain weights and AI objective, and whether to wait for it.
On this page 3 sections ▾
TL;DR
- The SY0-701 retirement date for English is June 11, 2027, so months spent studying the current version aren't wasted.
- Leave yourself a buffer: fail SY0-701 too close to its retirement and your only option is SY0-801, with its new objectives.
- Cert
- Security+
- New exam
- SY0-801
- New exam launches
- Nov 17, 2026
- SY0-701 retires
- Jun 11, 2027
- Biggest changes
- New objective on the security risks of AI; Domain 2 renamed Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks; More weight on General Security Concepts, less on Program Management; Same question cap, time limit and passing score
If you've been grinding through SY0-701 practice questions, here's the timing that matters: the SY0-801 release date is expected to be November 17, 2026, but the old version doesn't vanish that day. The bigger question is which one you should sit, and the answer depends mostly on how far along you are.
Quick facts
A Security+ voucher isn't tied to an exam version, so one bought for SY0-701 can book SY0-801 instead, as long as it hasn't expired.
Retakes are the exception: a retake voucher only works on the same exam version you failed.
The English SY0-701 retires first. The Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai versions run until August 13, 2027, while SY0-801 launches in English only.
Studying for SY0-801? CertPrep+ is a full study system for the new Security+ exam, not just a question bank: practice questions, study cards and full practice tests with targeted feedback on what to review next. Start studying for SY0-801 here.
#SY0-801: what's new in the Security+ exam objectives
The headline addition is AI. Under Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks, CompTIA lists a new objective: explain the security risks associated with artificial intelligence, covering AI systems, models, prompts, privacy and data exposure. Under Security Operations, the automation and orchestration objective now names AI-assisted workflows alongside automation and integrations.
The second domain also gets a new name. On SY0-701 it was Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations; on SY0-801 the last word becomes Attacks.
For your information
CompTIA's V8 page doesn't publish a side-by-side list of what was added or removed. Treat any "full list of changes" from a training company as unofficial until you check it against the SY0-801 objectives on CompTIA's site.
#Security+ domains: SY0-701 vs SY0-801 weights
Both versions keep 5 domains with almost the same names. Here's how CompTIA weights each one, taken from its V7 and V8 exam pages:
| ● SY0-701 | ● SY0-801 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Security Concepts | 12% | 16% |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities, and… | Mitigations: 22% | Attacks: 24% |
| Security Architecture | 18% | 19% |
| Security Operations | 28% | 27% |
| Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% | 14% |
The biggest moves are at the ends of the list: General Security Concepts gains the most weight, and Security Program Management and Oversight, the policy, risk and compliance domain, loses the most. Security Operations stays the heaviest domain, so it deserves the most study time whichever exam you book.
#SY0-701 or SY0-801: which should you take?
- Take SY0-701You've already worked through most of its objectives and can sit it soon, with enough time left for a retake before it retires.
- Wait for SY0-801You're starting from scratch, or your exam date is months away, so you'd be studying for a version that's about to retire.
How many questions are on the Security+ exam?
What is a Security+ PBQ?
What is the passing score for Security+?
How hard is the Security+ exam?
Do I need to retake Security+ when SY0-801 comes out?
Can I use SY0-801 study materials for SY0-701?
What this means for you
Already deep into SY0-701? Book your date now. Starting fresh? Download the SY0-801 objectives from CompTIA and use the domain weights above to plan your study time.
Sources