CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004)
Advanced-level certification validating enterprise security architecture and engineering skills for senior security professionals.
- Exam fee
- $509
- Typical salary
- $110K–$145K
CASP+ is worth it for senior engineers and architects who need a DoD‑approved credential to prove deep technical expertise. Those without extensive experience should consider a more entry‑level cert first.
What CAS-004 covers
Advanced practitioner-level security certification for senior engineers — not managers. DoD 8570/8140 approved. Validates enterprise security architecture and engineering skills.
Key topics covered: Security architecture design, Security engineering solutions, Cryptography & PKI, Governance, risk & compliance, Advanced security operations.
Best suited for: Senior security engineers and architects with 10+ years of IT experience including 5 in active security roles.
Common career paths: Senior Security Engineer, Security Architect, Principal Security Analyst, Enterprise Security Lead.
CAS-004 exam details
Exam domains
- Security architecture design
- Security engineering solutions
- Cryptography & PKI
- Governance, risk & compliance
- Advanced security operations
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $509
How to prepare for CAS-004
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the Certification Scope Read the official CASP+ overview and the article summary to grasp the focus on security architecture, engineering, and advanced operations. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Study Core Domains Dive into the key topics listed—security architecture design, cryptography & PKI, governance, risk & compliance, and advanced security operations—using vendor‑approved study guides. | Weeks 2-4 |
| 3 | Hands‑On Labs Set up lab environments to practice designing secure architectures, implementing PKI, and configuring advanced security controls. | Weeks 5-6 |
| 4 | Practice Exams Take timed practice tests to become comfortable with the question style and identify any weak areas. | Week 7 |
| 5 | Final Review & Exam Readiness Review notes, revisit difficult topics, and ensure you meet the experience prerequisites before scheduling the exam. | Week 8 |
Jobs and salary with CAS-004
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $110K–$145K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
CAS-004 questions answered
What is the CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) certification?
Advanced-level certification validating enterprise security architecture and engineering skills for senior security professionals. It is issued by CompTIA and sits in the Cybersecurity field.
Is CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) hard?
CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) is rated Advanced. It usually assumes several years of hands-on work, so most candidates prepare for longer.
How much does the CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) exam cost?
The listed exam fee is $509. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with CompTIA before you book.
What salary can I expect with CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004)?
Professionals with CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004) commonly report pay in the $110K–$145K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-004)?
Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.
Alternatives to CAS-004
| Certification | Vendor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional | ISC2 | Advanced |
| CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker | EC-Council | Intermediate |
| CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA | Beginner |
| CISM - Certified Information Security Manager | ISACA | Advanced |
| Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer | Google Cloud | Advanced |