PMI-ACP
PMI's agile certification covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and SAFe — ideal for PMs transitioning to agile delivery.
Full guide →CompTIA CySA+
Mid-level analyst certification focused on threat detection, security operations, and incident response.
Full guide →PMI-ACP vs CompTIA CySA+
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | PMI-ACP | CompTIA CySA+ |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $495 USD | ✓$404 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | ✓+$15,000/yr | +$12,000/yr |
| Passing score | 70/1000 | 750/1000 |
| Exam duration | 180 min | 165 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | PMI | CompTIA |
| Difficulty |
PMI-ACP
2,000 hours general project experience + 1,500 hours agile experience + 21 hours agile education
CompTIA CySA+
Security+ or equivalent experience, 3-4 years IT security experience
- You have PM experience and want to formalise agile or multi-methodology skills
- You want a potential +$15,000/yr salary uplift
- You manage delivery across Scrum, Kanban, Lean, or SAFe environments
- You have 2–4 years in security and want to specialise your role
- You want a potential +$12,000/yr salary uplift
- You want to work in defence — SOC analysis, threat detection, or incident response
PMI-ACP and CompTIA CySA+ lead to entirely different careers — project management vs cybersecurity. The right choice depends on which field aligns with your current job or target role. If you want both eventually, start with PMI-ACP — it's the quicker win at the intermediate level.
Best PMI-ACP courses
Best CompTIA CySA+ courses
Is PMI-ACP harder than CompTIA CySA+?
Both PMI-ACP and CompTIA CySA+ are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — PMI-ACP or CompTIA CySA+?
PMI-ACP has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while CompTIA CySA+ has +$12,000/yr. PMI-ACP has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — PMI-ACP or CompTIA CySA+?
PMI-ACP is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CompTIA CySA+.
Can I get both PMI-ACP and CompTIA CySA+?
Yes — many professionals hold both. PMI-ACP and CompTIA CySA+ complement each other, covering project management and cybersecurity respectively. Holding both signals broader expertise and typically commands a higher salary than either cert alone.
Which is worth it in 2026 — PMI-ACP or CompTIA CySA+?
Both are worth it in 2026. PMI-ACP offers a +$15,000/yr average salary uplift; CompTIA CySA+ offers +$12,000/yr. PMI-ACP has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.