CompTIA Network+ vs Security+ — take Network+ first in almost all cases. Take Network+ first in almost all cases. A 2024 CompTIA market analysis found that 67 percent of hiring managers for security roles expected candidates to have networking knowledge alongside security expertise. This reinforces that the optimal path is Network+ first, then Security+. The only candidates who should take Security+ first are those who already have solid networking knowledge from experience or a computer science degree and need Security+ urgently for a DoD or government role.
Network+ gives you the foundation. Security+ gives you the specialization. You need the foundation first.
Network+ vs Security+: Key Differences at a Glance
| Factor | CompTIA Network+ | CompTIA Security+ |
| Exam code | N10-009 | SY0-701 |
| Exam cost | $358 USD | $404 USD |
| Exam duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Maximum questions | 90 | 90 |
| Passing score | 720 out of 900 | 750 out of 900 |
| Expiration | 3 years | 3 years |
| DoD 8570 approved | Yes — IAT Level II | Yes — IAT Level II |
| Prerequisites | None formally — A+ recommended | None formally — Network+ recommended |
| Study time | 40 to 60 hours with IT background | 50 to 80 hours after Network+ |
| Focus | Network architecture, protocols, infrastructure, troubleshooting | Threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, cryptography, compliance |
| Job market growth | 5 to 6 percent annually | 12 to 15 percent annually |
| Average entry salary | $60,000 to $80,000 | $75,000 to $100,000 |
| Best leads to | Security+, CCNA, cloud certifications | CISSP, CySA+, cloud security certifications |
| Stackable cert earned (with A+) | CIOS — CompTIA IT Operations Specialist | Not applicable without A+ and Network+ |
What Is the Main Difference Between Network+ and Security+?
Network+ tests whether you can build and fix things. Security+ tests whether you can think like an attacker while defending like a professional.
Network+ makes you the person who designs, configures, and troubleshoots the network itself. You understand how data moves, how devices communicate, how to diagnose connectivity failures, and how to implement reliable network infrastructure across any vendor’s equipment.
Security+ makes you the person who protects that network and everything connected to it. You understand how attackers exploit vulnerabilities, how to implement security controls, how to manage risk across the organization, how to respond to incidents, and how to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
Security+ covers broader territory. While Network+ focuses specifically on networking, Security+ spans networking, systems, applications, physical security, and organizational processes. You are not just learning technology. You are understanding risk management, compliance, and business impact.
What Does Network+ Cover?
Network+ (N10-009) covers the foundational networking knowledge that every IT infrastructure role requires. It is vendor-neutral, meaning everything you learn applies to Cisco, Juniper, Arista, AWS, Azure, and any other platform.
Network+ Exam Domains
| Domain | Weight | What You Learn |
| Networking concepts | 23% | OSI model, TCP/IP, IP addressing, subnetting, routing protocols, cloud networking fundamentals |
| Network implementation | 20% | Switching, VLANs, wireless standards and security, network services, physical cabling standards |
| Network operations | 17% | Network monitoring, remote access, network documentation, policies and procedures |
| Network security | 20% | Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, authentication, physical security, network hardening techniques |
| Network troubleshooting | 20% | Troubleshooting methodology, cable testing, wireless problems, connectivity diagnostics |
The most important Network+ insight: Network+ includes a full security domain at 20 percent of the exam. This means Network+ candidates are already learning security fundamentals — authentication, VPNs, firewalls, hardening — that Security+ then expands upon dramatically. This overlap is exactly why Network+ makes Security+ preparation more efficient. You are not starting security from scratch when you reach Security+. You are building on concepts you already encountered in Network+.
What Does Security+ Cover?
Security+ (SY0-701) covers five domains representing the complete foundational body of cybersecurity knowledge. It goes significantly deeper than anything Network+ covers in security and adds entirely new dimensions — governance, compliance, risk management, cryptography, and incident response — that Network+ does not address at all.
Security+ Exam Domains
| Domain | Weight | What You Learn |
| General security concepts | 12% | Security controls, authentication, cryptography basics, PKI, security frameworks |
| Threats, vulnerabilities and mitigations | 22% | Malware types, social engineering, attack vectors, vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence |
| Security architecture | 18% | Cloud security, network infrastructure security, secure network design, SASE, zero trust |
| Security operations | 28% | Incident response, digital forensics, log monitoring, identity management, endpoint security, SIEM |
| Security program management and oversight | 20% | Risk management, compliance frameworks, data privacy, third-party risk, security governance |
The heaviest domain is Security Operations at 28 percent. This is where SOC analyst skills live — incident response, monitoring, alerting, forensics. Candidates targeting SOC Analyst roles should give this domain at least one-third of their total preparation time.
Performance-based questions are more complex in Security+. The higher passing score for Security+ (750 versus 720) reflects its broader scope and the critical thinking required. Performance-based questions on Security+ often present complex scenarios where you must identify attacks, choose mitigation strategies, or configure security controls.
Which Is Harder — Network+ or Security+?
CompTIA does not publish official pass rate data but industry analysis suggests Network+ pass rates around 50 to 60 percent and Security+ around 55 to 65 percent among first-time test-takers. Pass rates vary significantly based on study quality and preparation. Candidates using official training materials and practice exams report pass rates of 70 to 85 percent.
| Factor | Network+ | Security+ |
| Passing score | 720 out of 900 | 750 out of 900 |
| Breadth of content | Focused on networking | Much broader — networking plus security plus governance |
| Hardest topic | Subnetting and network troubleshooting | Security Operations and governance and compliance |
| Mindset required | Technical and diagnostic | Both technical and managerial risk thinking |
| First-attempt pass rate | 50 to 60 percent all candidates | 55 to 65 percent all candidates |
| With proper preparation | 70 to 85 percent | 70 to 85 percent |
| Most common failure reason | Insufficient subnetting practice | Underestimating governance and PBQ complexity |
The honest difficulty verdict: Network engineers might breeze through Network+ but struggle with Security+ governance and compliance topics. The converse may be true for those with more cybersecurity experience. Difficulty is relative to your background. What is consistent is this — candidates who take Security+ without Network+ knowledge consistently struggle more than those who build the networking foundation first.
Network+ vs Security+: Salary Comparison
Network+ Salary by Role
| Role | Average US Salary |
| Network Technician | $55,000 to $72,000 |
| Junior Network Administrator | $60,000 to $78,000 |
| Network Support Specialist | $62,000 to $80,000 |
| IT Infrastructure Specialist | $65,000 to $85,000 |
| Systems Administrator | $70,000 to $90,000 |
Security+ Salary by Role
| Role | Average US Salary |
| SOC Analyst Tier 1 | $60,000 to $78,000 |
| IT Security Administrator | $70,000 to $88,000 |
| Information Security Analyst | $80,000 to $105,000 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $78,000 to $100,000 |
| Security Engineer (with experience) | $95,000 to $130,000 |
| DoD Cybersecurity Professional | $85,000 to $115,000 |
The salary verdict: Security+ typically provides higher immediate value due to cybersecurity market demand and salary premiums. However Network+ offers broader IT applicability. Security+ opens roles paying $15,000 to $20,000 more at the entry level. But Network+ opens more total positions because every IT environment needs networking professionals across every industry.
The long-term picture: While Security+ may lead to higher starting salaries, both paths can become lucrative over time. Many professionals begin with Network+ and later move into security roles, combining both skill sets to increase their value in the job market.
Job Market Comparison: Network+ vs Security+
Both certifications have strong job market demand but Security+ jobs pay more and grow faster. According to CompTIA’s official research and industry job boards, there are consistently more open network administrator and network engineer positions than security analyst roles, but security positions have higher salary bands and faster growth rates.
| Factor | Network+ | Security+ |
| Annual job growth | 5 to 6 percent | 12 to 15 percent |
| Total open US positions | Higher volume | Lower volume but growing faster |
| Industries hiring | Every industry and company size | Growing across all sectors |
| Government and DoD | IAT Level II requirement | IAT Level II requirement |
| Most in-demand city | Washington DC, tech hubs | Washington DC highest premium |
Global cybersecurity job vacancies grew by 350 percent from one million openings in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021 with the gap remaining stable through 2025. About 17,300 openings for information security analysts are projected each year on average over the decade.
Should You Take Network+ Before Security+?
Take Network+ First If:
You are building your IT career from the foundational level. Network+ gives you the networking vocabulary, protocol knowledge, and troubleshooting skills that Security+ assumes you already have. Many test-takers who skip Network+ and attempt Security+ directly report struggling with foundational concepts covered in Network+ but assumed knowledge in Security+ exams.
You are new to IT without strong networking experience. If you cannot explain the OSI model, subnetting, TCP versus UDP, or how a VLAN works, Security+ will be significantly harder than it needs to be. Network+ closes that gap specifically and efficiently.
You want to work in network administration, infrastructure, or systems administration. Network+ is directly required or preferred for these roles. Security+ is supplementary for them, not primary.
You already hold CompTIA A+. Taking Network+ first is recommended if you lack networking experience as it provides a solid foundation for Security+ topics. A+ plus Network+ together earn you the CIOS stackable credential. Then Security+ on top of Network+ earns you the CNSP stackable credential. For the full picture of every CompTIA stackable certification combination, our CompTIA stackable certifications guide covers every path.
Take Security+ First If:
You already have solid networking knowledge from real-world experience. Some successful professionals skip Network+ entirely, especially those with computer science degrees or years of IT experience. If you can confidently configure routers, understand TCP/IP, and troubleshoot network issues, Security+ might be your better starting point.
You need Security+ immediately for a DoD or government role. In government-heavy regions (Washington DC, Ottawa) or defense contractor hubs, Security+ demand is exceptionally high due to DoD 8570 clearance requirements. If a job offer or security clearance depends on Security+ within weeks, go directly to Security+ and get Network+ afterward.
You are transitioning from a security-adjacent field. Risk analysts, compliance officers, and information governance professionals who are moving into technical cybersecurity roles often understand security concepts intuitively. Their gap is in technical implementation, not security principles — making Security+ more approachable without Network+ as a formal first step.
The CompTIA Trifecta: A+, Network+, Security+
The most common and most recommended foundational CompTIA certification path is known as the CompTIA Trifecta.
| Step | Certification | Time to Complete | Cost | Salary Unlocked |
| 1 | CompTIA A+ | 6 to 12 weeks | $506 (2 exams) | $40,000 to $62,000 |
| 2 | CompTIA Network+ | 8 to 12 weeks | $358 | $60,000 to $80,000 |
| 3 | CompTIA Security+ | 8 to 12 weeks | $404 | $75,000 to $105,000 |
| Total | 6 to 9 months | $1,268 | 50 to 75% salary increase |
CompTIA recommends starting with A+, then Network+, followed by Security+. This sequence builds foundational IT skills before advancing to networking and security specialties, providing a logical learning progression.
The trifecta approach costs approximately $1,268 in exam fees and takes 6 to 9 months of part-time study. The result is three recognized certifications, the CIOS stackable credential (A+ plus Network+), the CNSP stackable credential (Network+ plus Security+), and the CSIS stackable credential (A+ plus Network+ plus Security+) — which is the most widely recognized CompTIA stack. For everything about CSIS and other stackable combinations, our CompTIA stackable certifications guide covers every detail.
Network+ vs Security+: What Comes Next?
Where each certification leads determines as much about your choice as the certifications themselves.
| After Network+ | After Security+ |
| Security+ — most common next step | CySA+ — security analytics specialization |
| CCNA — Cisco networking specialization | PenTest+ — offensive security path |
| Cloud+ — cloud infrastructure | Cloud security certifications (CCSP, SC-500) |
| CySA+ — security analytics | CISSP — after 5 years experience |
| Microsoft AZ-104 — Azure administration | CISM — security management |
If your long-term goal is cybersecurity, both Network+ and Security+ lead there — Network+ just makes the journey smoother and faster by eliminating foundational gaps before you arrive. For the complete career path from A+ through to expert-level certifications across networking, cloud, and security, our IT certification roadmap covers every step.
How to Prepare for Network+
Step 1: Master subnetting first — before studying anything else. Subnetting appears throughout Network+ and is the most common reason candidates fail. Practice calculating subnet masks, host ranges, and CIDR notation until it is automatic. Use subnetting practice tools daily from the start of your preparation.
Step 2: Understand every OSI layer function and its protocols. Memorizing layer names is not enough. Know which protocols operate at each layer, what happens at each layer during data transmission, and how to use the OSI model to pinpoint where a connectivity problem is occurring.
Step 3: Practice network troubleshooting with real tools. Network+ performance-based questions present real connectivity scenarios. Use Packet Tracer or GNS3 to build practice networks and diagnose problems. Use Wireshark to analyze real packet captures. Hands-on experience makes PBQ scenarios significantly more intuitive.
Step 4: Use current practice materials. Our CompTIA exam preparation section covers current Network+ N10-009 practice questions aligned to the 2026 exam blueprint.
How to Prepare for Security+
Step 1: Map your existing knowledge to the five domains before studying. Take a practice exam before you start studying to identify your strongest and weakest domains. Candidates coming from Network+ typically know security architecture and parts of general security concepts. Most need to invest the most time in security operations and security program management.
Step 2: Dedicate extra time to the governance and compliance domain. Security program management and oversight at 20 percent of the exam is the domain that most technically-minded candidates underestimate. Risk management frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001), regulatory compliance (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR), and third-party risk management require study approaches different from technical configuration topics.
Step 3: Practice Security+ performance-based questions specifically. Security+ PBQs are more complex than Network+ PBQs. They present attack scenarios, ask you to identify vulnerabilities in network diagrams, require you to configure security controls, and test whether you can choose the correct mitigation for a given threat type. Practice these formats explicitly.
Step 4: Use current practice materials. Our Security+ exam preparation materials are aligned to the current SY0-701 blueprint with scenario-based questions across all five domains.
Decision Framework: Network+ vs Security+
| Your Situation | Take This First |
| No IT experience | A+ first, then Network+, then Security+ |
| Some IT experience but no networking knowledge | Network+ |
| Solid networking experience already | Security+ |
| Computer science degree with networking modules | Security+ |
| Target role is network administrator | Network+ |
| Target role is SOC analyst or security analyst | Network+ then Security+ |
| Target role is cybersecurity specifically | Network+ then Security+ |
| Need DoD IAT Level II immediately | Either — both qualify |
| Already hold A+ | Network+ immediately |
| Already hold Network+ | Security+ immediately |
| Need Security+ for a job offer in weeks | Security+ directly |
| Want the CSIS stackable credential | A+ then Network+ then Security+ |
| Want maximum long-term career flexibility | Both — in Network+ then Security+ order |
Frequently Asked Questions: Network+ vs Security+
Should you take Network+ before Security+?
Yes in most cases. Network+ first is recommended in almost all cases. The optimal path is Network+ first then Security+ because 67 percent of hiring managers for security roles expect candidates to have networking knowledge alongside security expertise.
Is Network+ required before Security+?
No. Network+ is not a formal prerequisite for Security+. You can take Security+ without Network+. However candidates who skip Network+ without equivalent networking knowledge consistently struggle more with Security+ content that assumes networking fundamentals.
Which pays more — Network+ or Security+?
Security+ pays more in dedicated security roles. Security+ holders earn $75,000 to $105,000 in cybersecurity positions. Network+ holders earn $60,000 to $80,000 in networking roles. The gap reflects the higher growth rate and scarcity of cybersecurity talent versus general networking talent.
Which is harder — Network+ or Security+?
Both have similar first-attempt pass rates of 50 to 65 percent. Security+ has a higher passing score (750 versus 720) and broader content spanning networking, governance, compliance, and risk management. Candidates without networking background find Security+ significantly harder than those who take Network+ first.
How much does Network+ cost?
Network+ costs $358 USD for a single 90-minute exam. The passing score is 720 out of 900.
How much does Security+ cost?
Security+ costs $404 USD for a single 90-minute exam. The passing score is 750 out of 900.
Can you skip Network+ and go straight to Security+? Yes. Many candidates successfully take Security+ without Network+, particularly those with existing networking experience or computer science backgrounds. The risk is that Security+ assumes networking knowledge that Network+ provides. Without that foundation, preparation takes significantly longer.
Which is better for a cybersecurity career — Network+ or Security+?
Security+ is more directly aligned with cybersecurity roles and is the most requested entry-level cybersecurity certification in job postings. However Network+ provides the stronger foundation and for most IT professionals taking Network+ before Security+ makes strategic sense. The optimal answer for cybersecurity is both — in Network+ then Security+ order.
Do Network+ and Security+ earn stackable certifications?
Yes. Network+ plus Security+ together earn you the CNSP (CompTIA Network Security Professional) stackable credential. A+ plus Network+ plus Security+ together earn you CSIS (CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist) — the most widely recognized CompTIA stackable credential.
What comes after Security+?
Common next steps after Security+ include CySA+ for security analytics, PenTest+ for offensive security, CISSP after 5 years of experience, or cloud security certifications. For the complete cybersecurity path beyond Security+, our IT certification roadmap covers every route.
