CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 is the recognized entry-level cybersecurity certification globally. Exam is 90 minutes, up to 90 questions, and costs $404 USD (~₱23,400). Passing lands entry-level SOC analyst, IT auditor, and cybersecurity engineer roles paying ₱45,000-₱95,000/month in the Philippines. Here is the complete 2026 Filipino guide.
Exam basics (2026)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam code | SY0-701 (current 2026) |
| Cost (USD) | $404 (voucher price) |
| Cost (PHP est) | ~₱23,400 |
| Format | Max 90 questions, 90 minutes (MC + PBQ) |
| Passing score | 750 out of 900 |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (in-person or OnVUE online) |
Cost breakdown (2026)
- Exam voucher: ₱23,400 (highest single-cert exam cost among entry certs)
- Udemy course (Mike Meyers or Jason Dion): ₱500-₱1,500 on sale
- Jason Dion practice exams: ~₱600-₱1,000
- Professor Messer free video series: ₱0
- Total investment: ₱24,500-₱26,000
Look for CompTIA voucher discount codes on r/CompTIA or through your school if you are enrolled. Save ~₱4,000 with student pricing.
10-week study plan (proven)
- Week 1-3: Foundations. Watch full Professor Messer SY0-701 series (free on YouTube). Take notes on all 5 domains: General Security, Threats/Vulnerabilities, Security Architecture, Security Operations, Security Program.
- Week 4-6: Deep dives. Jason Dion or Mike Meyers Udemy course. Focus on weakest domain based on Week 1-3 notes.
- Week 7-8: PBQ practice. Performance-Based Questions trip most candidates. Use Jason Dion PBQ trainer + labs.
- Week 9: Practice exams. Jason Dion practice tests. Target 80%+ on 3 consecutive attempts.
- Week 10: Final review + book exam. Read weak-topic sections again. Schedule morning slot for peak focus.
Salary impact in Philippines (2026)
- Junior SOC analyst: ₱45,000-₱75,000/month with Security+ + basic Linux + networking
- IT auditor: ₱50,000-₱85,000/month with Security+ + finance/accounting basics
- Junior cybersecurity engineer: ₱55,000-₱95,000/month with Security+ + AWS or Azure security
- Salary bump for existing IT staff who earn it: ₱8,000-₱18,000/month
PH cybersecurity employers hiring Security+ holders
- Accenture, PwC, KPMG, EY, Deloitte (audit + SOC)
- Trend Micro Philippines (product engineering + threat research)
- Globe, PLDT, Smart (telco security operations)
- BDO, BPI, Metrobank, UnionBank (bank SOC + IT audit)
- Remote roles at Fortinet, CrowdStrike, Rapid7 partner MSSPs
Common mistakes when preparing
- Skipping PBQs. Performance-Based Questions are worth ~35% of score. Practice hands-on labs before exam day.
- Only watching video, no note-taking. Security+ covers 500+ concepts. Passive video watching does not stick.
- Not memorizing acronyms. Exam uses acronyms heavily. Print an acronym sheet and review daily.
- Booking without full-length practice. High failure rate for candidates who book “to force focus.” Study first.
Common UX/UI designer career-decision mistakes
- Chasing salary without considering fit. A 30% higher salary in a role you hate is a bad trade. Compensation matters, but company culture, learning growth, and manager quality often matter more.
- Ignoring specialization vs generalization. Early career benefits from being T-shaped (broad + one deep specialty). Mid-career should double down on your specialty. Late career loops back to leadership.
- Neglecting soft skills. The best UX/UI designer professionals communicate clearly, build trust, and work well in teams. Technical skills alone plateau at mid-level.
- Not networking. Most senior jobs come through personal networks, not applications. Build authentic relationships before you need them.
- Undervaluing Philippines-based roles. Remote work has raised Philippines-based salaries dramatically. A Philippines developer working for a US company often earns 2-5x local rates.
Skills roadmap for UX/UI designer
Whether you are transitioning into this field or leveling up, plan your learning in tiers:
- Fundamentals (0-6 months): Master the core concepts. Read one canonical book, complete one comprehensive course, build 3-5 small projects.
- Depth (6-18 months): Pick 1-2 specialization areas. Build 2-3 substantial projects that demonstrate your skills. Contribute to open source.
- Professional application (18+ months): Apply for junior positions. Portfolio + GitHub + one professional recommendation opens most doors.
- Continuous learning: Follow industry news, attend conferences, read papers. The field evolves; you must too.
Philippine-specific salary considerations
The Philippines tech market has three distinct salary tiers:
Local Philippine companies: ₱25,000-100,000/month for junior to senior roles. Traditional path but lowest ceiling.
Regional (SEA) companies: ₱60,000-200,000/month. Companies like Grab, Gojek, Coins.ph. Better than local but Manila-Singapore commute or full relocation often required.
Remote US/EU companies: $2,000-8,000/month ($24,000-96,000/year). Requires strong English, portfolio, and job-hunting persistence. Highest ceiling by far.
Certifications, portfolio strength, and English communication skills separate candidates competing for remote roles. Invest in all three.
Best career-building practices
- Build in public. Share your projects on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. Recruiters find you. Peers open opportunities.
- Get one industry-recognized certification. AWS, Google Cloud, PMP, or specialty cert opens doors and often justifies salary bumps.
- Contribute to open source. Even 5 hours per month on OSS pays dividends in networking and demonstrated skill.
- Track your accomplishments. Monthly journal of what you shipped. Feeds performance reviews and future job interviews.
- Invest in negotiation. Salary negotiation is a learnable skill. Read one book (Never Split the Difference is popular) and practice.
Salary negotiation for UX designer roles
Whether you are switching jobs or asking for a raise, negotiation is a skill you can practice. Most professionals leave money on the table because they never ask.
- Do market research first. Check LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor, and levels.fyi for your role, region, and experience level. Know the numbers before you enter the conversation.
- Never disclose your current salary first. Say “I am looking for total compensation in the range of X to Y” instead of naming a single number.
- Negotiate the whole package. Base salary, bonus, equity, sign-on bonus, remote work flexibility, professional development budget. All are negotiable.
- Get everything in writing. Verbal offers change. Only the written offer letter matters legally.
- Be prepared to walk away. The best position in any negotiation is one where you have alternatives. Never negotiate from desperation.
Building your portfolio for UX designer
Portfolios prove skills better than resumes list them. For UX designer, focus your portfolio on demonstrating real problem-solving capability.
- 3-5 substantial projects, not 20 small ones. Deep quality beats broad quantity every time.
- Include the “why” and the outcome. Do not just show what you built. Explain the problem, your approach, tradeoffs, and impact.
- Host publicly. GitHub for code, Behance for design, personal website for writing. Employers should be able to find you.
- Solve real problems. Client work, open source contributions, or problems in your community beat generic tutorial recreations.
- Update quarterly. Stale portfolios signal stale skills.
Remote work opportunities for Philippine UX designer professionals
The pandemic normalized remote work, and Philippine professionals with strong English and technical skills now compete for global roles. Compensation can be 2-5x local rates.
Popular platforms for finding remote roles: LinkedIn Jobs (filter for remote), We Work Remotely, Remote OK, Toptal (for freelancers), Upwork, and direct application to US/EU startups. LinkedIn presence with detailed profile and regular content posting is often more effective than cold applications.
Remote work challenges include timezone alignment (US Pacific hours are 3 AM Philippine time), self-discipline in isolated environments, and building relationships across screen distance. Successful remote workers develop rituals: dedicated workspace, boundary rituals (dressing for work), and intentional community outside work hours.
Long-term career trajectory
Most tech careers follow a similar arc: individual contributor early, specialization mid-career, then a fork to management or deeper technical expertise (staff/principal engineer track). Neither path is universally better; both offer high compensation and meaningful work.
Management suits people who enjoy people problems: coaching, resource allocation, organizational politics. It often means less direct code contribution and more meetings.
Staff/principal engineer suits those who want to remain hands-on with technology while having broader influence. Compensation caps often equal management at senior levels.
Whichever path you take, reassess every 2-3 years. Careers evolve, and the right choice at 25 may not be the right choice at 35.
Official resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Security+ worth ₱23,400 for a Filipino fresh grad?
Yes if you are targeting cybersecurity. It is the single most recognized entry cybersec cert globally and PH BPOs weight it heavily. ROI hits within 2-3 months on your first cybersec job.
Should I get Network+ first?
Not required but recommended if networking is weak. Security+ assumes solid networking basics. If you already have Cisco CCNA or strong self-study networking, skip Network+ and go direct to Security+.
Professor Messer or paid course?
Professor Messer free videos cover 100% of exam objectives at high quality. Jason Dion Udemy course adds practice tests. Free-first workflow saves ~₱1,500.
Is Security+ enough for a career in cybersecurity?
For entry-level yes. For mid-career, add CySA+ or CEH. For senior, add CISSP (needs 5 years experience). Security+ is the door-opener, not the destination.
Can I take Security+ online at home in PH?
Yes via Pearson VUE OnVUE. Strict conditions: private room, government ID, webcam, no external monitors. Any break of rules fails the exam and forfeits the ₱23,400 fee.
Leah Whynett Dela Pena
Technology Writer at PIES IT Solution
Leah Whynett Dela Pena is a technology writer at PIES IT Solution, author of 93 career and IT education guides at itsourcecode.com. Specializes in tech career paths, degree and certification guidance, and IT industry how-to content.
Expertise: Tech Careers · IT Education · Web Development Careers · Software Engineering Careers · Cybersecurity Careers · IT Certifications · View all posts by Leah Whynett Dela Pena →