Cybersecurity · Free online course
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep
Prepare for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 with Professor Messer's complete free video course: every exam objective across the five domains, with EDWartens notes, worked calculations, practice questions and an optional security project. Exam preparation only: the EDWartens certificate is not the CompTIA Security+ certification, which is earned only by passing CompTIA's exam.
- 13 modules
- 15h 11m of video
- Beginner
- English
- ₹0, free
- Lab practice in your browser

₹0Free for good
Worth ₹7,999 by length and depth against classroom training. It has always been free; that is not a former price.
No card. Checkout takes a minute and gives you a receipt.
Certificate ₹499, optional. The course is free either way.
Overview
About CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep
Revise every Security+ SY0-701 exam objective with free video lessons, notes and practice questions. Exam preparation only.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep is a free, self-paced online course from EDWartens for candidates preparing for the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam, and IT staff moving into security. It has 13 modules and 15h 11m of video lessons, with written notes, a practice task per module, a practical project and a final assessment of 15 questions (pass mark 60%). Learning costs nothing and needs only a free account. The optional EDWartens Certificate of Completion, verifiable by code, is a one-off ₹499 inclusive of GST for learners in India; it is not a vendor credential. Updated 1 November 2026.
Who it is for: Candidates preparing for the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam, and IT staff moving into security
This course includes
- 15h 11m of video lessons
- 13 modules with written notes and diagrams
- One final assessment: 15 questions, pass mark 60%
- Ask-an-engineer support from practising engineers
- Lifetime access, the course does not expire
- Optional verifiable certificate when you finish
- Step 1 of 3
Learn the 13 modules
15h 11m of video lessons, written notes and a practice task per module, at your own pace.
- Step 2 of 3
Pass the final assessment
15 questions drawn from every module, pass mark 60%, 3 attempts.
- Step 3 of 3
Take the certificate, if you want it
Optional, paid once, only if you choose it. The course stays free either way.
See the certificate and its price
A look inside



From the lessons

How the Security+ exam works
by Professor Messer

Change management and cryptography (1.3 to 1.4)
by Professor Messer

Types of vulnerability (2.3)
by Professor Messer

Mitigation and security architecture (2.5 to 3.2)
by Professor Messer

Hardening, assets and vulnerability management (4.1 to 4.3)
by Professor Messer

Identity, automation and incident response (4.6 to 4.9)
by Professor Messer
Lesson frames belong to the creators named in the Credits and are shown from YouTube.
What you learn
What you will be able to do
By the end you will be able to:
- Explain the SY0-701 objectives in the exam's own vocabulary
- Compare security controls, cryptography and PKI options
- Recognise common threats, attacks and their indicators
- Calculate SLE and ALE for a risk
- Apply the concepts in a small-office security assessment
How it works
How this course works
Watch the lessons
Short video lessons, one module at a time, at your own pace.
Read the notes
Open the Reading tab for the written notes and diagrams of the module.
Practise in the 3D labOptional
Try the module in the free 3D lab, in your browser.
Check yourself
Answer the questions to see what stuck before you move on.
Final assessment
Pass the final once you have been through the modules.
Certificate, if you want oneOptional
Optional, with a page anyone can use to verify it.
Syllabus
Course content, module by module
In order, at whatever pace suits you. Each module ends with a practice task that builds on the last.
- Modules
- 13
- Video lessons
- 121
- Of video
- 15h 11m
- Final questions
- 15
- 01
How the Security+ exam works
1 lesson · 10m - 02
Security controls and fundamental concepts (1.1 to 1.2)
8 lessons · 1h 4m - 03
Change management and cryptography (1.3 to 1.4)
10 lessons · 1h 27m - 04
Threat actors, vectors and social engineering (2.1 to 2.2)
6 lessons · 48m - 05
Types of vulnerability (2.3)
14 lessons · 1h 14m - 06
Malicious activity and indicators (2.4)
15 lessons · 1h 45m - 07
Mitigation and security architecture (2.5 to 3.2), with lab practice:
13 lessons · 1h 55m - 08
Protecting data and building resilience (3.3 to 3.4), with lab practice:
8 lessons · 1h 2m Final assessment · 15 questions, pass mark 60%
3D lab
Practise in the 3D lab
Practise firewall rules, backups, log reading and incident order in the OT security lab; the same ideas apply to office networks, so you see them work, not only read them.
- Firewall rules: the minimum, then deny by defaultOT security labOpen in the lab (opens in a new tab): Firewall rules: the minimum, then deny by default
- Backup and recovery: known-good copies and a proved restoreOT security labOpen in the lab (opens in a new tab): Backup and recovery: known-good copies and a proved restore
- Spot the intruder: the events that matter in a day's logOT security labOpen in the lab (opens in a new tab): Spot the intruder: the events that matter in a day's log
- Incident drill: a simulated note on an operator screenOT security labOpen in the lab (opens in a new tab): Incident drill: a simulated note on an operator screen
Optional. Skip it whenever you like: it never blocks your progress or your certificate.
Project
The course project
Optional practice that ends in the kind of job the course prepares you for, with the documents that go with it.
About 10 hours
A security assessment of a small accounting office, mapped to Security+ domains: asset list, risk register, incident procedure and report
Assess the security of a 25-person accounting office. Build its asset list, a risk register with ALE figures and an incident procedure, then write a prioritised report mapped to the SY0-701 domains.
- 4documents in the pack
- 7steps to follow
- 6things to hand in
- 10 hof work, at your pace
Sample document pack, 4 documents, filled in for the scenario
- Asset inventoryAsset list: Parkside Tax Consultants
- Risk registerRisk register with annualised loss
- ProcedureIncident response: ransomware and email account takeover
- ReportSecurity assessment report and priorities
Read inside the course and download as a workbook. The project is optional practice, marked when you submit it; the certificate needs only the modules and the final assessment.
Tools
Software, hardware and lessons
Software
None required. A free virtual lab (for example a Linux virtual machine) is useful for the project.
Hardware
Any computer with a browser.
Who it is for
Beginner in security. Basic networking knowledge (IP addresses, ports, what a firewall does) helps; CompTIA recommends some IT experience before sitting the exam.
Software you need
What to download, where from, what it costs and how to install it. Every link goes to the maker's own site, never a mirror.
Nothing is required
A free Linux virtual machine is useful for the project.
Optional
Useful, not needed to finish the course.
- 01Free
Oracle VirtualBox
Oracle
- Runs on
- Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), Linux and Solaris hosts
- Account
- None needed
The VirtualBox platform packages are free and open source under GPL version 3. The separate Extension Pack is free only for personal and educational use (PUEL licence); business use of the Extension Pack needs a commercial licence from Oracle.
Steps
- 1.Open virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.
- 2.Click the package for your host system (for example, Windows hosts).
- 3.Run the installer and accept the network driver prompts.
- 4.Open VirtualBox, click New, choose your ISO file (for example Ubuntu or Windows) and follow the wizard.
- Turn on hardware virtualisation (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) in your PC's BIOS or UEFI if VirtualBox says it is not available.
- You do not need the Extension Pack for normal lab work. Install it only if you need its extra features and your use is personal or educational.
Official download pagevirtualbox.org - 02Free
Ubuntu Desktop
Canonical
- Runs on
- 64-bit PC (Intel or AMD) or ARM 64-bit. Recommended: 2 GHz dual-core processor, 6 GB RAM, 25 GB free disk space.
- Account
- None needed
- Size
- About 5.9 GB ISO (Intel or AMD 64-bit, current LTS)
Free to download and use. LTS releases get five years of free security updates, which Ubuntu Pro can extend.
Steps
- 1.Open ubuntu.com/download/desktop and download the LTS ISO. For ROS 2 courses, get 24.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS from releases.ubuntu.com instead.
- 2.To try it safely, create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox and attach the ISO.
- 3.To install on a real PC, write the ISO to a USB stick (8 GB or more) and boot from it.
- 4.Follow the installer, then run Software Updater when it finishes.
- Your course may name a specific release. ROS 2 Humble needs Ubuntu 22.04 and ROS 2 Jazzy needs Ubuntu 24.04.
- Give a virtual machine at least 25 GB of disk space.
Official download pageubuntu.comAlternatives
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: Use for ROS 2 Jazzy.
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS: Use for ROS 2 Humble.
- Windows Subsystem for Linux: Run Ubuntu inside Windows 10 or 11 without a virtual machine.
Checked against each maker's own page on 27 September 2026. Trial lengths and editions change; the maker's page is the final word.
What you walk away with
Your certificate for CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep
Finish the course, pass the final, and this is the document with your name on it.

Verifiable by anyone
Adds to LinkedIn in one click
QR code on the certificate
Names what you can do
A permanent link
Earned, not attended
Learning is free. The certificate is optional.
Add it now and pay only when you have finished the course, or come back for it later. One-off, US$23.99, with a receipt.
Issued by Wartens Ltd (England and Wales, company no. 15262249) through the EDWartens training portal, as a Certificate of Completion for this self-paced course. Sold in India by Wartens Automation Private Limited. It is not a vendor certification, a university award or a CPD-accredited activity, and it does not certify competence on live equipment. Delivered electronically; see the refund policy.
Practise what you learn in the free 3D lab
Technical work is judged on what you can do: wiring, commissioning, finding a fault. Doing a task yourself teaches more than watching it a second time, and a lab lets you try it safely before you meet real equipment. It does not replace working on real hardware.
- Practise safely, so a mistake costs nothing.
- The lab checks your work like a site test, so you know when it is right.
- Free, in your browser, with nothing to install.
Why learn with EDWartens
What you get with this course.
- Free from the first lesson to the final assessment.
- Practice in a free 3D lab in your browser, with nothing to install.
- Video lessons with written notes and a project.
- An optional certificate that anyone can verify online.
FAQ
Common questions
Is this the official Security+ course?
No. It is an independent free course built on Professor Messer's free SY0-701 videos, credited on every module. CompTIA and Security+ are trademarks of CompTIA, and neither CompTIA nor Professor Messer is affiliated with EDWartens.
Does passing this course give me the Security+ certification?
No. The certification is awarded only by passing CompTIA's exam, booked and paid for through CompTIA. This course prepares you for it and gives you an EDWartens certificate of completion.
Does it cover every exam objective?
Yes. The course follows Professor Messer's complete SY0-701 series, which covers every objective across the five domains, in 12 teaching modules.
How long does the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course take?
About 19 hours of lessons, notes and practice questions, plus about 10 hours for the project. Spread over several weeks, with time for revision, is a realistic plan before booking the exam.
Do I need experience?
No, though basic networking knowledge helps. CompTIA recommends some IT experience before sitting the exam itself.
Is the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course really free?
Yes. Every module, the notes, the 130 practice questions, the project and the final assessment. The only paid item is the EDWartens certificate, if you want it.
Is SY0-701 still the current exam?
Yes, as of September 2026. CompTIA expects to launch Security+ V8 (SY0-801) on or around 17 November 2026, and SY0-701 stays available for a period after that, so check CompTIA's retirement date before you book.
What is the project in the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course?
A security assessment of a 25-person accounting office in Geelong, Australia: an asset list, a risk register with SLE and ALE figures, an incident response procedure and a prioritised report mapped to the five exam domains. It doubles as a revision checklist and a portfolio piece.
Do I have to use the lab?
No. The lab is optional practice. You can skip it whenever you like, and it never blocks your progress, the final assessment or your certificate.
Is the lab free?
Yes. Every lab level for this course opens in your browser, free, with nothing to install.
Is the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course free in India, and what does the certificate cost?
Yes. Learning costs ₹0 in India: every module, the written notes, the practice tasks and the final assessment, with no card and no trial period. The only paid item is the optional EDWartens Certificate of Completion, ₹499 including GST for this beginner course, paid in rupees through Razorpay, and only if you want it after passing the final assessment.
What topics does the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course cover, module by module?
The CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course has 13 modules. It opens with "How the Security+ exam works", goes through "Security controls and fundamental concepts (1.1 to 1.2)", "Types of vulnerability (2.3)", "Hardening, assets and vulnerability management (4.1 to 4.3)" and "Governance, risk and compliance (5.1 to 5.6)" and ends with "Final Assessment". The full list with minutes is under "What you learn" on this page.
What can I do after the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course?
After the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course: Classify security controls and explain CIA, AAA and zero trust; Explain PKI, encryption, hashing and digital signatures; Recognise threat actors, vectors, social engineering and attacks. These are the practical outcomes the course is written around, and the final assessment of 15 questions checks them.
What software and hardware do I need for the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course, and does it cost anything?
For the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course, software: None required. A free virtual lab (for example a Linux virtual machine) is useful for the project. Hardware: any computer with a browser. The course itself is free.
Is the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course suitable for me, and what level is it?
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep is rated beginner. Beginner in security. Basic networking knowledge (IP addresses, ports, what a firewall does) helps; CompTIA recommends some IT experience before sitting the exam. It is written for candidates preparing for the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam, and IT staff moving into security, and has 15h 11m of video lessons at your own pace.
Which jobs use the skills from the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course?
Skills from the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep course (for example: classify security controls and explain CIA, AAA and zero trust) are used in information security analyst work. The course gives you practical evidence of the skill; it does not promise a job, and employers decide on experience and interview.
All course factsHide course facts
- Price
- ₹0, free for good. No trial, no card. Comparable classroom training of this length costs about ₹7,999.
- Who it is for
- Candidates preparing for the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam, and IT staff moving into security
- Format
- 13 self-paced modules, 15h 11m of video, written notes, a practice task per module and one final assessment.
- Level
- Beginner. Beginner in security. Basic networking knowledge (IP addresses, ports, what a firewall does) helps; CompTIA recommends some IT experience before sitting the exam.
- Brand
- CompTIA
- Software
- None required. A free virtual lab (for example a Linux virtual machine) is useful for the project.
- Hardware
- Any computer with a browser.
- Certificate
- Optional EDWartens Certificate of Completion, ₹499 inclusive of GST for learners in India, verifiable by code. Not a vendor credential.
- Video lessons by
- Professor Messer (independent creators, credited below)
- Language
- English
- Last updated
- 1 November 2026
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Credits
Who made the video lessons
The video lessons in this course were created by the people below, not by EDWartens. Every lesson streams from its creator's own YouTube channel; EDWartens neither hosts nor sells that footage, and the creators are not affiliated with EDWartens and do not endorse this course. What EDWartens wrote is the study plan, the notes, the practice tasks and the assessments.
- Professor Messerthe complete free CompTIA SY0-701 Security+ Training Course, every lesson in this course
If you are one of these creators and would like a lesson removed or credited differently, write to info@edwartens.co.in.
