Exam Comparison
CySA+ vs NSE4
Comparing the CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) and the Fortinet NSE 4 — FortiGate Security. Both fall under IT Certifications. Both are covered by the Cyber Security Cert Exam Prep: CISSP, CEH & CySA+ app.
CySA+ vs NSE4: At a Glance
| Detail | CySA+ | NSE4 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) | Fortinet NSE 4 — FortiGate Security |
| Governing Body | CompTIA | Fortinet |
| Number of Questions | 85 | 60 |
| Time Limit | 165 minutes | 105 minutes |
| Passing Score | 750/900 | 72% (approx 43/60) |
| Exam Fee | $392 USD | Free with NSE training completion (exam voucher required) |
| Category | IT Certifications | IT Certifications |
| C3RT App | Cyber Security Cert Exam Prep: CISSP, CEH & CySA+ Soon | Cyber Security Cert Exam Prep: CISSP, CEH & CySA+ Soon |
Content Areas Compared
CySA+ Domains
- Security Operations(33%)
- Vulnerability Management(30%)
- Incident Response and Management(20%)
- Reporting and Communication(17%)
NSE4 Domains
- FortiGate System Administration and Basic Configuration
- Firewall Policy Configuration and NAT
- Layer 3 Routing (static, policy-based, SD-WAN)
- Firewall Authentication (local, LDAP, RADIUS)
- SSL VPN Configuration and Troubleshooting
- IPsec VPN (site-to-site and dialup)
- Security Profiles (AV, Web Filter, App Control, IPS, DNS Filter)
- High Availability (active-passive, active-active)
- Logging, Monitoring, and Diagnostics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CySA+ and NSE4?
The CySA+ (CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003)) is administered by CompTIA and consists of 85 questions. The NSE4 (Fortinet NSE 4 — FortiGate Security) is administered by Fortinet and consists of 60 questions. Both are IT Certifications credentials.
Can I take both the CySA+ and the NSE4?
Yes, the CySA+ and NSE4 are separate credentials with separate eligibility requirements. Each is awarded by a different governing body (CompTIA and Fortinet respectively). Check the official requirements for each before registering.
Which should I take first, CySA+ or NSE4?
The right sequence depends on your career goals and current credentials. The CySA+ is offered by CompTIA with a passing score of 750/900, while the NSE4 is offered by Fortinet with a passing score of 72% (approx 43/60). Review the eligibility requirements for each with the respective governing bodies before deciding.
Does C3RT cover both the CySA+ and the NSE4?
C3RT is building apps for both the CySA+ and the NSE4. Both will be available on iOS and Mac.
The CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) (CySA+) is administered by CompTIA. The Fortinet NSE 4 — FortiGate Security (NSE4) is administered by Fortinet. C3RT is not affiliated with either organisation. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.