When it comes to IT certification training, few names carry as much weight as CBT Nuggets. For years, they have been the go-to resource for visual learners looking to advance their careers. One of their most popular offerings over the last decade was the CompTIA Security+ SY0-401 course.
However, if you are reading this in 2024 or beyond, you might be wondering: Why would anyone review an outdated course?
The answer is simple: While the exam codes change, the fundamental concepts of security do not. In this review, we are taking a retroactive look at the CBT Nuggets SY0-401 course to see how it holds up as a foundational learning tool, who it is actually for in 2024, and whether the famous "Keith Barker" teaching style is still the gold standard for Security+ prep.
Since the SY0-401 is retired, you cannot take this exam for certification. However, here is why you should still consume this content:
Many hiring managers who have been in the field since 2014 still ask questions based on the SY0-401 objectives. "Explain the difference between WEP, WPA, and WPA2" or "What is a Bluejacking attack?" are SY0-401 relics. The CBT Nuggets videos will refresh you on these legacy terms instantly.
CBT Nuggets invests heavily in production. Even back in the SY0-401 era, the video quality was crisp, the audio was studio-grade, and the interface allowed for easy note-taking and transcript searching.
However, the interface is behind a paywall. Unlike YouTube, you cannot access this content for free. You need a subscription.
For the SY0-401, malware was king. The CBT Nuggets series dedicated full episodes to distinguishing between: