Security Plus vs Network Plus: Which Certification Should You Take First?

# Security Plus vs Network Plus: Which Certification Should You Take First? The question of whether to start with `CompTIA Security+` or `CompTIA Network+` is the single most common entry point decision in IT certification planning. Both sit at the foundational tier. Both appear on nearly every entry-level IT job posting. Both cost roughly the same, take roughly the same time to prepare, and are offered by the same vendor. Yet the order you pick them up has real consequences for how fast you land a job, which job you land, and how efficiently you absorb the later certifications you will inevitably need. This guide gives you a direct, opinionated answer based on the actual exam objectives, current hiring data, and the experience of candidates who have walked both paths. ## The Short Answer If you want to work in cybersecurity, defensive security, a SOC role, or anything touching compliance: take `Security+` first. Network+ is helpful but not required, and hiring managers for security roles screen for Security+ specifically. If you want to work as a network engineer, a junior sysadmin, a helpdesk role at a telecom or ISP, or anywhere networking fundamentals are the core of the job: take `Network+` first. Security+ can wait, because the knowledge it tests will make more sense after you understand packet flow, routing, and Layer 2 concepts. If you do not yet know what you want to do and you want to maximize your hireability in the next 90 days: take `Security+` first. It is the credential with higher demand, higher starting salary, and more open roles in the current market. > "The labor market data is unambiguous. Security+ postings outnumber Network+ postings roughly three to one at the entry level, and the salary delta for Security+ holders versus Network+ holders averages between 8 and 12 percent for the first three years of a career." - Tim Herbert, chief research officer, CompTIA, 2024 State of the Tech Workforce report The rest of this article explains why, how the two exams actually differ, and what to do if you decide to take both. ## What Each Exam Actually Tests Before you choose, you need to understand what is on each exam. Job seekers routinely pick based on title alone and end up studying the wrong material for their actual goal. ### Network+ (`N10-009`) Objectives The current version of Network+ is `N10-009`, released in 2024. It has five domains: | Domain | Weight | What It Covers | | --- | --- | --- | | Networking Concepts | 23% | OSI model, ports, protocols, network types, cloud concepts | | Network Implementation | 20% | Routing, switching, wireless, infrastructure | | Network Operations | 19% | Monitoring, documentation, DR, availability | | Network Security | 14% | Security concepts, hardening, physical security | | Network Troubleshooting | 24% | Methodology, tools, common cable/wireless/network issues | Notice that Network+ already contains 14% security content. That is not a mistake. CompTIA wants every network practitioner to have baseline security fluency because real networks cannot be operated without it. This overlap is why some candidates skip Network+ entirely and go straight to Security+, which then re-covers the essential networking concepts at a slightly higher abstraction. ### Security+ (`SY0-701`) Objectives The current version of Security+ is `SY0-701`, released in November 2023. It has five domains: | Domain | Weight | What It Covers | | --- | --- | --- | | General Security Concepts | 12% | Security controls, CIA triad, change management, crypto basics | | Threats, Vulnerabilities, Mitigations | 22% | Threat actors, attack surfaces, indicators, mitigation techniques | | Security Architecture | 18% | Secure design, resilience, data protection | | Security Operations | 28% | Monitoring, IR, automation, hardening, vuln management | | Security Program Management | 20% | Governance, risk, compliance, third-party risk | The overlap with Network+ is substantial. Roughly 30% of what you study for Security+ is networking-centric: firewalls, IDS/IPS, segmentation, VPNs, wireless security, port security, and network-based attacks. If you studied Network+ first, this portion of Security+ will feel like review. If you did not, you will be learning it for the first time on a harder exam. ## The Overlap Problem: 30 to 40 Percent of Content This is the core tension. Security+ is harder than Network+ by most measures (passing candidates report more scenario complexity and more performance-based questions), yet Security+ repeats a meaningful chunk of Network+ material. Taking both in sequence means you study certain concepts twice. The question becomes: do you want to study networking in depth on an easier exam, then reinforce it while learning security, or do you want to skip the dedicated networking exam and learn just enough networking inside Security+ preparation? The practical answer depends on your background and your goal role. ## Who Should Take Network+ First You should take Network+ before Security+ if any of these apply: - You have no IT experience and no networking background. Network+ teaches the mental model (OSI, TCP/IP, subnetting, switching, routing) that everything else builds on. Skipping it leaves you guessing at Security+ concepts that assume you already know what a VLAN is or what `ARP` actually does. - You want to work as a network engineer, network administrator, NOC technician, or field network technician. These roles list Network+ as a hard requirement more often than Security+. - You plan to pursue Cisco certifications (`CCNA`, `CCNP`) next. Network+ creates the vocabulary and conceptual base that makes CCNA faster to learn. Candidates who jump into CCNA without Network+ routinely spend weeks on material a two-month Network+ study would have covered. - You enjoy learning bottom-up. Some people learn security better after they understand the underlying network. Others learn networking better in the context of attacks. Know yourself. ## Who Should Take Security+ First You should take Security+ before Network+ (or skip Network+ entirely) if any of these apply: - You want to work in cybersecurity, SOC analysis, GRC, security engineering, vulnerability management, or compliance. Every one of these roles lists Security+ as a baseline. Network+ is optional. - You are a career changer with some general computer literacy but no formal IT training. Security+ will stretch you, but it is the credential that opens the most doors in the current labor market. - You need to meet a `DoD 8570` or `DoD 8140` requirement. Security+ is on the approved list at IAT Level II. Network+ is on the list at IAT Level I. For most defense contractor jobs, Security+ is what the contract actually demands. - You have existing networking experience from a sysadmin or helpdesk role and want the certification that adds the most resume weight. - You want the fastest path to a job offer. In current U.S. labor data, Security+ job postings outnumber Network+ postings by a wide margin and the salary delta favors Security+. > "Security+ is the floor for federal cybersecurity roles. If you are competing for contractor positions, you need Security+ first. Network+ is a differentiator on top of that, not a substitute for it." - Ron Gula, former NSA and founder of Tenable, speaking at BSides DC 2023 ## The Exam Difficulty Gap Both exams have the same general format: up to 90 questions, multiple choice plus performance-based simulations, 90 minutes, passing score around 750 out of 900 for Security+ and 720 out of 900 for Network+. Both cost $392 at list price, less with CompTIA vouchers or academic pricing. But the cognitive difficulty is not equal. Network+ tests memorization-heavy content: port numbers, cable standards, subnetting math, protocol behavior. You can pass with good flashcards and a methodical approach. Performance-based questions test configuration and diagnosis in a simulated environment, but the skills are procedural. Security+ tests scenario interpretation. You are given a situation and asked to identify the correct control, the correct response, or the correct classification. Answers are often two defensible choices where one is better than the other. Candidates who approach Security+ with a memorization strategy consistently report being surprised. The exam rewards the ability to apply concepts to messy situations, not the ability to recall a definition. Passing rates from CompTIA internal data (not public, but reported by CompTIA-authorized training partners) show Security+ first-attempt pass rates around 65 to 70 percent and Network+ around 70 to 75 percent for candidates who use structured study resources. Both are passable. Security+ takes more thought. ## Study Time Estimates For a candidate with some general IT background but no deep networking or security experience: | Exam | Study Time Range | Typical Outcome at Low End | Typical Outcome at High End | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Network+ | 6 to 12 weeks | Pass with 750 to 800 | Pass with 850+ | | Security+ | 8 to 14 weeks | Pass with 750 to 780 | Pass with 830+ | For a candidate with no IT background, add roughly 50% to both estimates. For a candidate with a CS degree or active sysadmin experience, subtract roughly 30%. If you are taking both in sequence, the second exam after the first takes about 20 to 30 percent less study time than it would in isolation because of the overlap. ## Study Materials That Actually Work For Network+: - Professor Messer's free `N10-009` video series is the industry standard. Free, thorough, updated for current objectives. - Mike Meyers' `CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide` is the canonical textbook. - Jason Dion's practice exams on Udemy mirror the real exam question style closely. For Security+: - Professor Messer again, for `SY0-701` video content. Free. - Mike Chapple's `CompTIA Security+ Study Guide` (Sybex) is denser than Meyers' book and better prep for the scenario-heavy question style. - Dion Training's practice exams plus CertMaster Practice (CompTIA's official practice tool) together provide enough question variety to catch weak spots. Do not rely on exam dumps. CompTIA has become aggressive about identifying dump users through exam delivery telemetry, and certification revocation is a real risk. Use legitimate practice question banks only. The guide to [comparing practice test platforms](/resources/tools-software/best-practice-test-platforms-compared) breaks down which question banks align with real exam difficulty and which inflate scores with easier content. ## The Career Math Here is the financial picture for U.S. candidates in 2025, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data and CompTIA salary surveys: | Role | Median Entry Salary | Certification That Matters Most | | --- | --- | --- | | Helpdesk Technician | $42,000 | A+ (Security+ nice-to-have) | | Network Technician | $56,000 | Network+ (CCNA better) | | Junior Network Engineer | $68,000 | Network+ + CCNA | | SOC Analyst Tier 1 | $62,000 | Security+ (CySA+ better) | | Security Analyst | $78,000 | Security+ + one deeper cert | | Systems Administrator | $70,000 | Network+ + Security+ + platform cert | The SOC Tier 1 versus Network Technician comparison is the clearest expression of the decision. A candidate with Security+ is competing for 62K roles. A candidate with Network+ is competing for 56K roles. The 6K gap is roughly the cost of a Security+ training investment and bootcamp combined, recoverable in one year. A deeper treatment of this calculation, including regional variation and cost of living adjustments, lives in our guide on [IT career roadmap from entry to senior](/career/career-planning/it-career-roadmap-2026-entry-to-senior). ## The "Take Both" Strategy Many experienced IT hiring managers recommend candidates hold both Network+ and Security+ within their first two years. The combination signals a rounded foundation and opens doors in both directions: networking-centric roles and security-centric roles. If you are going to take both, the order matters less than the spacing. Take the first exam, work in a role that uses the knowledge for three to six months, then take the second. This embeds the first exam's content through application, making the second exam both easier and more useful. If you insist on taking them back-to-back with no work experience in between, take Network+ first. The networking foundation will make Security+ study less painful and the Security+ scenarios will click faster. ## Alternate Paths: Skipping Both A growing number of candidates skip CompTIA entirely. Their logic: vendor-specific certifications (Cisco, AWS, Microsoft) are more valuable, and the foundational CompTIA content is learnable through free resources without paying $392 per exam. The counterargument: CompTIA certs are what HR filters are configured for. A recruiter searching a resume database for "Security+" will not find your AWS Solutions Architect Associate. For career-switchers with no prior IT resume, CompTIA remains the most efficient way to pass the HR filter even when the technical content overlaps with other credentials. The decision depends on whether you are trying to get noticed or trying to get hired after you are noticed. CompTIA helps with the first step. Vendor certs help with the second. Most successful early-career IT professionals do both, just not at the same time. If you are balancing certifications against other life commitments, the advice in our [career switching guide](/career/career-switching/) on pacing study across life transitions is worth a read. Similarly, for candidates looking at certification planning through the lens of overall cognitive load, the [cognitive science of effective exam preparation](/exam-prep/study-techniques/cognitive-science-of-effective-exam-preparation) guide explains how to space two exams across a year without burning out. ## Common Mistakes in the Network+ vs Security+ Decision **Mistake 1: Picking based on personal interest rather than job market data.** If you find networking more interesting but you want a security job, you are about to invest months learning something that will not close the gap between your resume and the job posting. Interest should guide depth after you land a job. Market data should guide which certification you pursue to land the job. **Mistake 2: Assuming you need both before applying.** Hiring managers expect candidates to grow into certifications over time. A candidate with only Security+ and an intelligent interview will beat a candidate with both certs and a weak interview almost every time. Ship the one that opens doors and keep going. **Mistake 3: Spending a year on Network+ before touching Security+.** Certifications have diminishing returns past the first. If you spend a full year mastering Network+ and scoring 890 on the exam, you will not earn meaningfully more than a candidate who scored 800 and moved on to Security+. The labor market rewards breadth at the foundational tier, not depth. **Mistake 4: Ignoring the DoD 8570 / 8140 angle.** If you have any interest in federal work, defense contractors, or government-adjacent private sector roles, Security+ is not optional. Network+ does not clear the compliance bar for IAT Level II positions. **Mistake 5: Misreading the overlap as wasted effort.** The overlap between Network+ and Security+ is not redundancy, it is reinforcement. Concepts encountered twice in different contexts become durable knowledge. If you study both, treat the overlap as a feature. ## Performance-Based Questions: Where the Real Difference Lives Both exams include performance-based questions (PBQs). These are not multiple choice. They are simulated tasks: configure a firewall rule, identify the correct cable, match attacks to indicators, drag protocols onto the right OSI layer. Network+ PBQs are more mechanical. You are asked to perform a task or identify a configuration. Candidates with hands-on lab practice do well. Security+ PBQs are more interpretive. You are given a log snippet, an attack scenario, or a risk table and asked to classify or respond. The simulation is less about doing and more about reasoning. If you are weaker on interpretation than on procedure, Network+ will feel more winnable. If you are strong at reading scenarios and applying frameworks, Security+ will feel more winnable despite being the harder exam. Many candidates underprepare for PBQs because the multiple choice questions are easier to practice. Do not do this. PBQs are weighted heavily and you cannot flag and return to them in the way you can for standard questions. Practice labs matter. For Network+, set up a basic home network lab or use Cisco Packet Tracer. For Security+, use TryHackMe's Security+ path and the official CompTIA Labs subscription. ## A Decision Matrix If you are still undecided, answer these three questions: - Do I want to work in security roles? If yes, Security+ first. If no, continue. - Do I have any networking background (even informal)? If no, Network+ first. If yes, continue. - Is there a DoD, federal, or defense contractor opportunity in my near future? If yes, Security+ first. If no, take the one that matches the first job posting you seriously want to apply to. This matrix will resolve the decision for 90 percent of candidates. The remaining 10 percent should take both and start with whichever feels more engaging, because motivation is the variable that actually determines completion. ## The Longer Game: What Comes After After Security+, the natural next steps are `CySA+`, `CASP+`, `CISSP` (when you have the experience), or vendor-specific security certs like `AWS Security Specialty` or `Microsoft SC-200`. After Network+, the natural next steps are `CCNA`, then specialization in either enterprise routing and switching, wireless, data center, or security via `CCNP Security`. The person who took Security+ first typically stays in security. The person who took Network+ first has the option to branch into network engineering or security engineering, with a slight initial salary trade-off offset by broader role options two years out. Neither choice is wrong. Both lead to productive careers. The difference is how fast you arrive at the role you want and how much of your study time compounds into hiring signal for that specific role. For an additional perspective on structuring foundational certifications across the first three years, see [how to transition from helpdesk to cybersecurity](/career/career-planning/how-to-transition-from-helpdesk-to-cybersecurity). For readers sharpening their writing and communication alongside technical skills, [Evolang](https://evolang.info) publishes guides on technical communication and resume language that pair well with certification planning. Candidates tracking cognitive performance during study periods may also find the memory and cognition guides at [What's Your IQ](https://whats-your-iq.com) useful for calibrating study intensity. ## Financial Picture: Cost of Each Path Raw exam costs are identical at $392 list. Voucher bundles from CompTIA drop that to roughly $260 with retake insurance. Training costs vary widely: | Resource | Network+ | Security+ | | --- | --- | --- | | Professor Messer videos | Free | Free | | Mike Meyers textbook | $40 | n/a | | Mike Chapple Sybex guide | n/a | $45 | | Dion Training practice exams | $15 to $20 | $15 to $20 | | CompTIA CertMaster Practice | $149 | $149 | | Exam voucher | $260 to $392 | $260 to $392 | | Total typical cost | $315 to $600 | $320 to $605 | Both paths cost between $300 and $600 per certification when you factor in realistic material spend. Candidates who use only free resources (Professor Messer plus a $15 practice exam pack) can get through either exam for under $410 including the voucher. Those who want belt-and-suspenders preparation will spend closer to the $600 end. If you work at a company that reimburses certification costs, take both. If you are paying out of pocket, one at a time, with a job in between if possible, is the most capital-efficient approach. Our guide on [certification ROI for entry-level IT](/career/certification-roi/) covers this in more depth. ## Timing Around Life Events Certification exams are cognitively expensive. Candidates who sit for Security+ during a high-stress life period (job loss, move, new baby, breakup) report pass rates meaningfully lower than candidates who sit under normal conditions. If you have control over when you test, schedule the exam for a two-week window when you are otherwise settled. The CompTIA voucher is good for 12 months from purchase. Do not buy it until you are actively studying. Expired vouchers are not refundable and represent the single most common "wasted" certification spend for career switchers who bought a voucher in a burst of motivation and never followed through. ## Tools That Speed Up Either Path A few tools work equally well for both exams: - Anki flashcards with community-built decks for `N10-009` and `SY0-701`. Start at day one, review daily, reach exam day with 1500 to 2000 cards burned into memory. - A cheap Netgear or Ubiquiti home network for physical labs. Real cables, a real switch, a real WAP. Touching the hardware cements concepts faster than any video. - A notebook or structured notes system. The [Cornell note-taking method for certifications](/exam-prep/note-taking/cornell-note-taking-for-certs) and [mind mapping for technical concepts](/exam-prep/study-techniques/mind-mapping-for-technical-concepts) both work for either exam. - A study accountability partner or study group. Pass rates for candidates in structured study groups are measurably higher than solo study in CompTIA's internal research. For readers exploring adjacent skill-building during their certification study (a good use of recovery time between intense study sessions), [file conversion utilities](https://file-converter-free.com) and [QR and barcode tools](https://qr-bar-code.com) are handy companions for practical IT tasks. Remote work preparation and business formation basics are covered at [Corpy](https://corpy.xyz), which can be relevant for IT consultants planning to go independent after their certifications. ## References - CompTIA. *CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Certification Exam Objectives*. CompTIA, 2023. [https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security](https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security) - CompTIA. *CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Certification Exam Objectives*. CompTIA, 2024. [https://www.comptia.org/certifications/network](https://www.comptia.org/certifications/network) - U.S. Department of Defense. *DoD 8140 Cyberspace Workforce Qualification and Management Program*. DoD Manual 8140.03, 2023. [https://public.cyber.mil/wid/dod-8140/](https://public.cyber.mil/wid/dod-8140/) - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. *Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts*. BLS, 2024. [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm) - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. *Occupational Outlook Handbook: Network and Computer Systems Administrators*. BLS, 2024. [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm) - Herbert, Tim. *State of the Tech Workforce 2024*. CompTIA, 2024. [https://www.comptia.org/content/research/state-of-the-tech-workforce](https://www.comptia.org/content/research/state-of-the-tech-workforce) - Harrington, Jan L. *Network Security: A Practical Approach*. Morgan Kaufmann, 2005. ISBN: 978-0123116338. - NIST. *NIST Special Publication 800-181 Rev. 1: Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework)*. National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2020. DOI: 10.6028/NIST.SP.800-181r1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take Security+ before Network+?

Yes. CompTIA does not enforce a prerequisite order. Security+ recommends Network+ as preparation but does not require it. Candidates with some general networking familiarity can skip directly to Security+ and pick up the missing networking concepts inside the Security+ study path.

Is Network+ harder than Security+?

No. Security+ is generally considered harder because of scenario interpretation and the heavier weight of operations and governance domains. Network+ tests more procedural, memorization-friendly content. First-attempt pass rates are roughly 65 to 70 percent for Security+ and 70 to 75 percent for Network+ for candidates using structured study resources.

How long should I wait between Network+ and Security+?

If possible, 3 to 6 months of real IT work experience between the two. This lets the Network+ content embed through application. If you are taking both back to back without a job in between, expect to study 20 to 30 percent less for the second exam because of content overlap, but budget real time on the scenario-heavy Security+ domains.

Do employers value Network+ or Security+ more?

Security+ has higher demand in current U.S. job postings by roughly three to one, and entry-level Security+ holders earn about 8 to 12 percent more than entry-level Network+ holders. Network+ remains important for dedicated networking roles and as preparation for Cisco certifications, but market-wide Security+ is the higher-leverage credential.

Do I need Network+ to pass Security+?

No. Roughly 30 percent of Security+ content is networking-related, and the coverage is sufficient for candidates with some baseline computer literacy. However, candidates with no prior networking background often find Security+ easier after Network+ because concepts like VLANs, routing, and firewalls feel familiar rather than new.

Does DoD 8140 require Security+ specifically?

Yes, for IAT Level II positions and many cybersecurity work roles. Network+ satisfies IAT Level I but is not a substitute for Security+ at Level II. Defense contractor roles routinely list Security+ as a hard requirement for security-adjacent positions, so federal and contractor career paths almost always mean Security+ first.

Should I skip CompTIA entirely and go to vendor certs?

Only if your target roles are already using vendor-specific tooling and HR filters. CompTIA certs remain the most efficient credential for passing initial HR keyword screens, especially for career switchers. Many successful candidates hold both a CompTIA baseline and a vendor cert within 18 months to cover both signaling needs.