CS0-003 Retires December 22, 2026: Transition Guide

What This Exam Validates

CompTIA CySA+ is a professional certification covering security operations, vulnerability management, incident response, and reporting. It evaluates technical proficiency in identifying and managing security threats within an organizational environment. CompTIA administers this exam, which consists of 85 questions. The exam is scheduled for retirement on 2026-12-22, and candidates should transition their preparation to the successor, CS0-004 (CompTIA CySA+ (V4)), to ensure their skills remain current with the latest industry standards and professional requirements for cybersecurity analysts.

Who Should Take This Exam

This exam is intended for security analysts, incident responders, and threat hunters. It requires practical experience in monitoring network traffic, analyzing vulnerability scan results, and managing incident response life cycles within a professional organizational environment to successfully pass the assessment.

Skills You Should Be Ready to Demonstrate

• System and network architecture analysis
• Malicious activity detection
• Vulnerability scanning and prioritization
• Incident response management
• Security reporting and communication

How to Prepare Before Retirement

Review the four domains, which carry weights of 33%, 30%, 20%, and 17% respectively. Utilize official CompTIA study documentation and practice labs to gain hands-on experience with the 85 questions. Since this exam retires on 2026-12-22, focus your efforts on the objectives for the successor, CS0-004, to ensure your knowledge remains current with the latest certification standards and professional requirements for cybersecurity analysts.

Domain Study Guidance

Security Operations: Study Guidance

This domain covers the technical aspects of security operations, focusing on how network architecture and security tools identify malicious activity indicators. It provides the knowledge of the systems and techniques required to maintain a secure environment.

• System and network architecture
• Malicious activity indicators
• Tools and techniques

Vulnerability Management: Study Guidance

This domain addresses the identification and management of vulnerabilities through scanning, assessment, and prioritization techniques. It emphasizes the use of assessment tool output to effectively manage and mitigate security risks within the organizational network infrastructure.

• Vulnerability scanning
• Assessment tool output
• Vulnerability prioritization

Incident Response Management: Study Guidance

This domain focuses on the incident response life cycle, including frameworks for managing and responding to security incidents. It covers the activities and methodologies required to handle security threats and maintain operational continuity during an active incident.

• Attack methodology frameworks
• Incident response activities
• Incident management life cycle

Reporting and Communication: Study Guidance

This domain covers the communication and reporting requirements for both vulnerability management and incident response activities. It ensures that security professionals can document and communicate findings to stakeholders to support informed decision-making and organizational security posture.

• Vulnerability management reporting
• Incident response reporting

Exam-Day Guidance

The exam uses a linear format with 85 questions, including multiple choice and performance-based items. You have 165 minutes to complete the assessment. Ensure you manage your time effectively across all four domains to reach the passing score of 750.