CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) Study Guide

Master Advanced Security Practitioner Skills for Enterprise Cybersecurity

90 Questions • 165 Minutes • Passing Score: 750/900

📋 CASP+ Exam Overview

Experience Level

Advanced (10+ years in IT, 5+ years in security)

Job Roles

Security Architect, Senior Security Engineer, SOC Manager

Certification Type

Performance-based + Multiple Choice

Renewal

Every 3 years with 75 CEUs

1.0 Enterprise Security Operations – 30%

This domain covers enterprise-level security implementation, including authentication systems, cryptographic solutions, secure communications, and advanced security controls across complex organizational environments.

1.1 Authentication & Authorization

  • • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) implementation
  • • Single Sign-On (SSO) and federated identity
  • • SAML, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect
  • • Privileged Access Management (PAM)
  • • Identity and Access Management (IAM) architecture
  • • Role-based and attribute-based access control

1.2 PKI and Cryptographic Solutions

  • • Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) design and implementation
  • • Certificate lifecycle management
  • • Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)
  • • Cryptographic protocols and algorithms
  • • Key management and escrow
  • • Digital signatures and non-repudiation

1.3 Security Controls Integration

  • • Network access control (NAC) systems
  • • Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions
  • • SIEM/SOAR integration and automation
  • • Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
  • • Network segmentation and micro-segmentation
  • • Zero trust architecture implementation

1.4 Secure Communications

  • • VPN technologies and implementation
  • • Secure email gateways and encryption
  • • Voice over IP (VoIP) security
  • • Secure file transfer protocols
  • • Network protocols and secure configurations
  • • Out-of-band management security

2.0 Governance, Risk and Compliance – 20%

This domain focuses on organizational governance structures, risk management frameworks, regulatory compliance requirements, and the integration of security controls within business processes.

2.1 Governance Frameworks

  • • COSO, COBIT, and ITIL frameworks
  • • ISO/IEC 27001/27002 implementation
  • • NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF)
  • • Security governance and steering committees
  • • Policy development and management
  • • Organizational security culture

2.2 Risk Management

  • • Quantitative and qualitative risk analysis
  • • Risk appetite and tolerance definition
  • • Business impact analysis (BIA)
  • • Risk register and treatment planning
  • • Third-party risk management
  • • Supply chain risk assessment

2.3 Regulatory Compliance

  • • GDPR, CCPA, and privacy regulations
  • • SOX, FISMA, and financial compliance
  • • HIPAA, PCI DSS, and industry standards
  • • Audit preparation and response
  • • Compliance monitoring and reporting
  • • Data sovereignty and cross-border transfers

2.4 Business Continuity

  • • Business continuity planning (BCP)
  • • Disaster recovery strategies
  • • Crisis management and communication
  • • Recovery time and point objectives
  • • Tabletop exercises and testing
  • • Vendor and service provider continuity

3.0 Enterprise Security Architecture – 25%

This domain covers the design and implementation of comprehensive security architectures for enterprise environments, including cloud integration, secure development practices, and technology integration.

3.1 Security Architecture Design

  • • Enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman)
  • • Security reference architectures
  • • Secure network design and segmentation
  • • Defense in depth strategies
  • • Security control layering
  • • Architecture documentation and modeling

3.2 Cloud Security Architecture

  • • Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud security
  • • Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
  • • Container and serverless security
  • • Cloud-native security tools
  • • Shared responsibility models
  • • Cloud compliance and governance

3.3 Secure Development Integration

  • • DevSecOps implementation
  • • Secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC)
  • • Application security testing integration
  • • Code review and static analysis
  • • API security architecture
  • • Container and CI/CD pipeline security

3.4 Technology Integration

  • • Emerging technology security (IoT, AI/ML)
  • • Legacy system integration security
  • • Mobile device management (MDM/EMM)
  • • Software-defined perimeter (SDP)
  • • Orchestration and automation platforms
  • • Integration testing and validation

4.0 Technical Integration of Enterprise Security – 25%

This domain focuses on the technical implementation and integration of security solutions across enterprise environments, including advanced threat detection, incident response, and security automation.

4.1 Advanced Threat Detection

  • • Behavioral analytics and machine learning
  • • Threat intelligence integration
  • • Advanced persistent threat (APT) detection
  • • User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA)
  • • Threat hunting methodologies
  • • Indicators of compromise (IoC) management

4.2 Incident Response Integration

  • • Incident response orchestration
  • • Security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR)
  • • Digital forensics and investigation
  • • Evidence collection and chain of custody
  • • Incident classification and prioritization
  • • Communication and escalation procedures

4.3 Security Automation

  • • Security automation frameworks
  • • Playbook development and management
  • • API integration and orchestration
  • • Automated response and remediation
  • • Security metrics and dashboards
  • • Performance monitoring and optimization

4.4 Research and Analysis

  • • Vulnerability research and assessment
  • • Threat landscape analysis
  • • Security tool evaluation and testing
  • • Proof of concept development
  • • Industry trend analysis
  • • Technology feasibility studies

🎯 CASP+ Exam Preparation Strategy

📅 12-Week Study Plan

  • Weeks 1-3: Enterprise Security Operations (30%)
  • Weeks 4-5: Governance, Risk & Compliance (20%)
  • Weeks 6-8: Enterprise Security Architecture (25%)
  • Weeks 9-10: Technical Integration (25%)
  • Weeks 11-12: Practice exams and performance-based questions

Prerequisites:

  • • Security+ or equivalent knowledge
  • • 10+ years IT experience
  • • 5+ years hands-on security experience
  • • Understanding of enterprise environments

🏆 Success Strategies

  • • Focus on performance-based questions (PBQs)
  • • Master enterprise architecture concepts
  • • Understand compliance frameworks deeply
  • • Practice risk assessment scenarios
  • • Study real-world implementation cases
  • • Join CASP+ study groups and forums

Performance-Based Questions:

  • • Network security design
  • • Risk assessment scenarios
  • • Architecture diagrams
  • • Policy development

⚠️ Exam Day Tips

  • • Arrive early and bring required identification
  • • Start with performance-based questions
  • • Read questions carefully and completely
  • • Use process of elimination on multiple choice
  • • Manage your time effectively (165 minutes)
  • • Flag difficult questions for review
  • • Don't change answers unless certain
  • • Stay calm and trust your preparation

📋 Official Exam Information

For the most current exam objectives, pricing, and registration information, visit the official CompTIA website.

CASP+ (CAS-004) FAQ

What is CASP+ certification?

CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) is an advanced-level cybersecurity certification that validates expertise in enterprise security architecture, risk management, research and collaboration, and integration of enterprise security. It's designed for senior-level security professionals.

How hard is the CASP+ exam?

CASP+ is considered one of the most challenging CompTIA certifications, requiring extensive hands-on experience and deep understanding of enterprise security concepts. The performance-based questions test real-world application of knowledge, not just memorization.

What's the difference between CASP+ and CISSP?

CASP+ focuses on technical hands-on skills and is vendor-neutral, while CISSP emphasizes management and leadership aspects of cybersecurity. CASP+ has performance-based questions, whereas CISSP is primarily multiple choice.

How long is CASP+ valid?

CASP+ certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain certification, you need to earn 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through activities like attending conferences, completing training, or earning other certifications.

Who should take CASP+?

CASP+ is ideal for security architects, senior security engineers, SOC managers, security consultants, and technical leads with 10+ years of IT experience and 5+ years in cybersecurity roles.

What salary can I expect with CASP+?

CASP+ certified professionals typically earn $90,000-$150,000+ annually, depending on location, experience, and role. Senior positions like Security Architect can command salaries exceeding $200,000.