Preparing for the CompTIA SecOT+ Exam: A Survival Guide

Preparing for the CompTIA SecOT+ Exam: A Survival Guide

by Mike Holcomb

Applied Sciences & Engineering Computing & Cybersecurity UQComputer certificationUQTComputer certification: CLAiT
🎙 Mike Holcomb 👥 27K 📅 August 25, 2026 ⏱ 13 min 👁 6 📄 tutorial 🧭 2026-08-25
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

SecOT+operational technologyexam preparationstudy guidesimulator

Summary

Mike Holcomb presents a five-step survival guide for the CompTIA SecOT+ exam, a new certification focused on operational technology (OT) security. He begins by emphasizing the importance of reviewing the official exam requirements and objectives, noting the exam’s structure (100 questions, including 5 simulations) and the six domains covered. He then recommends his own ‘Getting Started in OT/ICS Cybersecurity’ course, claiming it covers 80-90% of the exam content. Step three involves gaining hands-on experience through simulators, which he provides via GitHub. Step four is accessing study guides, including one he created using AI (Claude) from the official objectives. Finally, step five is practicing with a 600-question exam simulator he also built with AI. He shares his experience taking the beta exam, highlighting the presence of tricky multiple-choice questions and the importance of safety as a guiding principle in OT. The video concludes with encouragement and a call to subscribe.

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Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video offers a clear, structured approach to exam preparation, with practical steps that are directly actionable. The author’s personal experience with the beta exam adds credibility, and he provides specific details about the exam format and content. However, the argumentation is somewhat self-promotional, as he repeatedly recommends his own courses and tools. The advice is generally sound, but the lack of independent sources or alternative perspectives weakens the overall argumentation.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The video references the official CompTIA website for exam objectives, which is a reliable source. The author also provides links to his own resources (GitHub, courses), which are relevant but not independent. The title accurately reflects the content, and the video is well-structured with clear chapters. The author’s involvement in creating study materials is disclosed, but this could introduce bias. Overall, the sources are appropriate for the topic, though the reliance on self-created materials is a limitation.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which is a step-by-step survival guide for the CompTIA SecOT+ exam.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The video provides practical, experience-based advice for exam preparation, with specific references to official exam objectives and free resources. However, the author's personal involvement in creating study materials introduces potential bias, and the video lacks independent verification of the claims made.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • CompTIA SecOT+ official page — Official exam objectives and requirements, consistent with the video's description.

External References

Contribution & Novelties

The video provides a concise, step-by-step study plan for a newly introduced certification, filling a gap in available preparation materials. The author shares his personal experience with the beta exam, offering insights into the exam’s structure and question types. The use of AI to generate study materials is a novel approach, though its effectiveness is not independently verified.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • CompTIA SecOT+ official page — Official certification details and objectives.
  • NIST SP 800-82 Guide to OT Security — Foundational reference for OT security.
  • SANS ICS Security Resources — Additional training and resources for ICS security.

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Radar Profile

The radar profile shows a balanced performance across all dimensions, with slightly higher scores in information quantity and quality, reflecting the video's practical advice and structured content. The technical level is moderate, suitable for a broad audience, while reliability is supported by the author's direct experience.

Reliability 7/10