Quick Answer: CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 is the right certification for most IT professionals entering or transitioning into cybersecurity. It is not the right choice for experienced security professionals with five or more years of hands-on experience, candidates pursuing purely offensive security roles, or those who already hold CISSP. For everyone else, the $425 investment delivers a $15,000 to $20,000 annual salary premium, DoD 8140 compliance, and cross-industry recognition that no other entry-level security credential matches.
How to Use This Guide
This post answers a specific question: is Security+ the right next certification for your particular situation right now?
The answer depends on your current experience level, your target role, and what you want the certification to do for your career. The sections below cover five distinct candidate profiles. Find the one that matches your situation and use the guidance to make a clear decision.
If you have already decided Security+ is the right move and want to understand what the certification covers, see our CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam guide. For the broader career and salary data see our Security+ salary and jobs guide.
Quick Decision Framework
Before the detailed profiles, here is a fast framework. Answer these three questions honestly:
Question 1: Do you have less than five years of dedicated security experience?
Question 2: Are you in or entering IT, government/defense, healthcare, finance, or technology?
Question 3: Do you want a vendor-neutral credential recognized across multiple industries?
If you answered yes to all three, Security+ is almost certainly the right next certification for you.
If you answered no to Question 1 (meaning you have five or more years of security experience), skip to the “Senior Professionals” section below for an honest assessment of whether Security+ is the best use of your time.
If you answered no to Question 2 (meaning you are in a non-technical field with no IT background), read the “Career Changers” section for a realistic picture of the preparation required.
Profile 1: Complete Beginners — No IT Background
Who this is: People with no professional IT experience who are considering cybersecurity as a first career or a career change from a completely non-technical field.
Is Security+ right for you? Technically yes, but with an important caveat: Security+ assumes basic familiarity with networking concepts, operating systems, and IT administration. The exam recommends CompTIA Network+ and two years of IT experience for a reason. Candidates with no IT background can pass Security+, but they require significantly more preparation time (typically 16 to 20 weeks) and will find the performance-based questions very challenging without any hands-on IT context.
The more honest recommendation for a complete beginner: start with either CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) or CompTIA A+ to build IT foundations, then pursue Security+. This sequence takes longer but results in a candidate who can actually perform the job functions Security+ certifies, not just pass the exam.
If you are set on going straight to Security+, plan for 16 to 20 weeks of preparation and supplement with free lab resources (TryHackMe, Hack The Box free tier, VirtualBox labs) to build the hands-on context that PBQs require.
Realistic salary expectations for certified beginners (no prior IT experience): Entry positions with Security+ but no IT work experience typically start at $50,000 to $60,000 in the US. Metropolitan areas with strong cybersecurity demand (DC/Northern Virginia, San Francisco, New York, Austin) can push this to $65,000 to $70,000 at entry level.
Profile 2: IT Professionals Transitioning Into Cybersecurity
Who this is: People currently working in IT roles including help desk, system administration, network administration, cloud engineering, or IT support who want to move into security-focused positions.
Is Security+ right for you? Yes, and this is arguably the profile that benefits most from Security+. You already have the IT foundations the exam assumes. You understand operating systems, networking concepts, and basic administration. Security+ adds the security layer on top of that foundation and gives employers a validated signal that you are ready for security responsibilities, not just general IT work.
The transition this certification enables is meaningful. A system administrator with Security+ becomes a credible candidate for Security Administrator, SOC Analyst, or Incident Response roles. A network administrator with Security+ becomes a credible candidate for Network Security Engineer positions. The salary jump is typically $15,000 to $25,000 annually.
Specific transition paths with salary data:
| Current Role | Security+ Enables | Typical Salary Increase |
| Help Desk / IT Support | SOC Analyst Tier 1 | $15,000 to $20,000/yr |
| System Administrator | Security Administrator | $15,000 to $25,000/yr |
| Network Administrator | Network Security Engineer | $20,000 to $30,000/yr |
| Cloud Engineer | Cloud Security Analyst | $15,000 to $25,000/yr |
| IT Auditor | Security Compliance Analyst | $10,000 to $20,000/yr |
Recommended preparation timeline: 8 to 10 weeks with 1.5 to 2 hours daily on weekdays and 3 to 4 hours on weekends.
What to do: Use your existing IT context to speed up Domain 1, 2, and 3 preparation (you likely know more than you think). Spend the bulk of your time on Domain 4 (Security Operations, 28%) with dedicated hands-on lab practice, and Domain 5 (Program Management, 20%) covering compliance frameworks you may not have encountered in a generalist IT role.
For a complete preparation approach see our SY0-701 preparation guide and SY0-701 study plan.
Profile 3: Career Changers From Non-IT Fields
Who this is: Professionals currently working outside IT entirely (military veterans, healthcare workers, educators, finance professionals, legal professionals) who want to transition into cybersecurity.
Is Security+ right for you? Yes, particularly for military veterans and government-adjacent professionals, and increasingly for healthcare and finance professionals who can leverage their industry knowledge as a differentiator.
Military veterans: Security+ is one of the most direct paths from military service into civilian cybersecurity employment. The DoD 8140 compliance value of Security+ means you are already prepared for a credential required by the organizations most likely to hire you based on your clearance eligibility and background. Many veterans enter cybersecurity with Security+ plus a clearance and start at $75,000 to $100,000 in federal or defense contractor roles.
Healthcare professionals: A registered nurse or healthcare administrator who understands clinical workflows and earns Security+ becomes an unusually valuable candidate for healthcare cybersecurity roles. Healthcare IT is chronically understaffed with professionals who understand both the clinical environment and security requirements. This combination commands a premium.
Finance professionals: Understanding financial regulations and transaction systems combined with Security+ positions you well for financial sector cybersecurity roles, particularly in compliance and risk management where Security+ knowledge maps directly to PCI-DSS and SOX frameworks.
Realistic timeline for career changers: 12 to 16 weeks if you have some IT familiarity from adjacent experience. 16 to 20 weeks if starting from minimal IT exposure. Budget for both exam and preparation costs: typically $600 to $800 total for a self-study approach.
For total cost details see our Security+ exam cost guide.
Profile 4: Government and Defense Candidates
Who this is: Anyone pursuing or currently working in US federal government, military, intelligence community, or defense contractor roles where cybersecurity responsibilities exist.
Is Security+ right for you? Yes, and in many cases it is not optional. DoD Directive 8140 (formerly 8570) mandates cybersecurity certification for personnel with privileged access to DoD information systems. Security+ satisfies IAT Level II requirements, which covers a large proportion of cybersecurity roles within federal agencies and defense contractors.
Organizations where Security+ is frequently required or strongly preferred include federal civilian agencies (DHS, DoD, VA, and others), defense contractors (Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, CACI, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman), state and local government IT security roles, and any private company holding federal IT contracts with DoD 8140 compliance obligations.
The salary context for this path is compelling. DoD SOC analysts with Security+ certification and a Secret clearance typically start at $75,000 to $100,000. The same role with a TS/SCI clearance combined with Security+ frequently starts at $90,000 to $115,000.
If you are working toward or already hold a security clearance, pairing it with Security+ is one of the highest-ROI combinations in the certification landscape.
Profile 5: Mid-Level Security Professionals
Who this is: Professionals already working in dedicated security roles (SOC analyst, security analyst, penetration tester, security engineer) with 2 to 4 years of hands-on experience who do not yet hold Security+.
Is Security+ right for you? Yes, with one qualification: it is more useful the earlier you earn it in your career. If you are already in a security role without Security+, earning it now validates skills your employer likely already knows you have while satisfying any DoD or compliance-driven requirements your organization may have.
More importantly, Security+ is the credential that gets you past ATS filters. Many job postings specifically require Security+ as a listed qualification. Even experienced professionals without it can be filtered out of application processes before a human reviewer sees their resume. Earning it eliminates that obstacle.
Additionally, Security+ at the mid-level positions you more effectively for the next step. Whether your path leads toward CompTIA CySA+ for deeper analyst skills, toward CISSP for senior roles, or toward a specialist credential like OSCP for offensive security, Security+ as a baseline strengthens every application in that progression.
Recommended preparation timeline: 4 to 6 weeks for experienced security professionals. You likely know most of the material and primarily need to fill gaps in the new SY0-701-specific topics (zero trust implementation, SOAR, EDR/XDR, supply chain security) and refresh compliance framework coverage.
Profile 6: Senior Cybersecurity Professionals (5+ Years Experience)
Who this is: Security managers, CISOs, senior security engineers, or architects with five or more years of dedicated hands-on security experience.
Is Security+ right for you? Probably not, unless you have a specific reason.
Specific reasons that do justify Security+ at the senior level: your organization has DoD 8140 compliance requirements and Security+ is mandated for your role, you need to renew credentials and Security+ is the most efficient path, or you are returning to the workforce after a significant gap and want to demonstrate current knowledge.
If none of those apply, your time and the $425 investment are better spent on credentials that add differentiation at the senior level. CISSP, CISM, CCSP, or specialist credentials like CISSP-ISSAP or CISSP-ISSEP add more value to a senior profile than Security+ would.
The honest reason: Security+ is an entry-to-intermediate credential. Employers evaluating senior candidates primarily look at experience, advanced certifications, and demonstrated leadership. Security+ does not add meaningful signal in that context.
For a full comparison of certifications at each level see our cybersecurity certification roadmap and our best cybersecurity certifications guide.
Security+ vs. Other Entry-Level Certifications: Which Is Right for You?
If you are deciding between Security+ and other credentials at a similar level, here is the honest comparison.
| Certification | Cost | DoD 8140 | Job Postings | Best For |
| CompTIA Security+ | $425 | Yes (IAT II) | 63,620+ US | Most IT pros transitioning to security |
| ISC2 CC | Free (exam waiver) | No | Growing | True beginners wanting free entry point |
| CompTIA Network+ | $369 | Partial | High | IT generalists needing networking foundation |
| CompTIA CySA+ | $404 | Yes (CSSP) | High | Professionals with 2+ years security experience |
Security+ vs ISC2 CC: ISC2’s Certified in Cybersecurity is free to sit and is a legitimate credential with growing recognition. It is the right choice if you have absolutely no budget and want to validate foundational knowledge. Security+ is the right choice if DoD compliance matters, if you want maximum employer recognition, or if you are ready to invest in the credential that generates the most career return. Many candidates earn both: CC first to build confidence, then Security+ for the full market value. For details on CC see our ISC2 CC exam guide.
Security+ vs CySA+: If you already have 3 to 4 years of security experience, CySA+ may deliver more value than Security+ because it is a higher-level credential. If you are at the beginning or early middle of your security career, earn Security+ first and then pursue CySA+. The two build on each other naturally.
For a direct comparison see our SY0-701 vs CISSP guide which covers the full ladder from entry to senior.
Industries Where Security+ Opens the Most Doors
Security+ is vendor-neutral and cross-industry, which is one of its key advantages. Here are the sectors where it adds the most immediate career value:
Government and defense: DoD 8140 compliance drives direct demand. This is the sector where Security+ most often crosses the line from “preferred” to “required.”
Healthcare IT: HIPAA compliance requirements create consistent demand for security-certified staff. Healthcare IT security roles are chronically underfilled.
Financial services: PCI-DSS compliance, fraud prevention, and regulatory auditing all require security knowledge. Security+ is widely recognized in financial sector security and compliance roles.
Technology and cloud services: Security+ is the most common baseline credential in tech company security job descriptions, particularly for SOC, incident response, and security analyst roles.
Defense contracting: Booz Allen, Leidos, SAIC, CACI, and similar firms actively seek Security+-certified staff for cleared and clearance-eligible positions.
For a detailed breakdown of specific job titles across these industries see our Security+ job roles and industries guide.
What Comes After Security+?
The right next step after Security+ depends on which direction you want your career to go.
Blue team and analyst career path: Security+ leads to CompTIA CySA+ for deeper threat detection and SOC analyst skills, then to CISSP for senior security engineering and management roles. This is the most traveled path for defensive security careers.
Government and compliance path: Security+ satisfies DoD 8140 IAT Level II. After gaining 3 to 5 years of experience, CISSP or CISM positions you for senior government and contractor roles.
Offensive security path: Security+ provides the defensive foundation. After Security+, CompTIA PenTest+ or eJPT move you into penetration testing territory. OSCP is the premier credential for experienced penetration testers.
Cloud security path: Security+ combined with AWS Security Specialty or Microsoft SC-100 creates a strong cloud security profile for organizations running hybrid environments.
For the full career map see our guide on how to become a cybersecurity analyst and our cybersecurity certification roadmap. For what to do immediately after passing see our guide on next steps after Security+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Security+ worth getting if I already have 3 years of IT experience?
Yes. Three years of general IT experience with Security+ is a strong combination for transitioning into dedicated security roles. The certification validates your security knowledge to employers and helps you pass ATS filters that specifically list Security+ as a requirement.
Can I get a cybersecurity job with only Security+ and no experience?
Security+ alone is unlikely to land a security job with no work experience at all. It is most effective combined with either current IT work experience (any IT role) or documented hands-on projects and lab work. The certification opens the door. Interview performance and demonstrated practical skills close it.
How long does it take to study for Security+?
Eight to ten weeks for candidates with Network+ and IT experience. Twelve to sixteen weeks for career changers or recent graduates with minimal hands-on IT exposure. Sixteen to twenty weeks for complete beginners. For a structured timeline see our SY0-701 study plan.
Is Security+ harder than ISC2 CC?
Yes. Security+ has more objectives, more difficult performance-based questions, and requires more preparation time than ISC2 CC. CC is a genuinely valuable free credential but it is less demanding than Security+. If you can pass Security+, the career return is higher.
What salary can I expect with Security+ in 2026?
It depends heavily on your experience level, location, and role. Entry-level candidates with Security+ and no prior security experience typically earn $55,000 to $70,000. IT professionals transitioning to security roles with Security+ typically see salaries of $70,000 to $95,000. Government/DoD roles with Security+ and clearance start at $75,000 to $110,000. For detailed salary data by role see our Security+ salary guide.
Should I get Security+ before or after getting a job in cybersecurity?
Before is the more common and more effective sequence. Security+ helps you get the job by demonstrating validated knowledge to employers who require it as a baseline. Earning it after you are already in a security role is still valuable for career advancement, compliance requirements, and ATS filtering on future applications, but the maximum career impact comes when you use it to make the initial transition.
What is the total cost to earn Security+?
The exam voucher costs $425. Total preparation cost for self-study candidates is typically $500 to $700 including study materials and practice questions. Academic discounts of 40 to 50 percent are available for students. See our Security+ cost breakdown for the full picture.
Final Thoughts
CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 is the right certification for the majority of people reading this: IT professionals wanting to move into security, career changers with transferable industry knowledge, government and defense candidates, and mid-level IT workers without formal security credentials.
It is not the right choice for complete beginners who would benefit from IT Fundamentals or A+ first, or for senior security professionals with five or more years of experience for whom advanced credentials add more value.
If Security+ is the right move for your situation, start with the free SY0-701 practice test at CertEmpire to benchmark your current knowledge level. Use the SY0-701 study plan to structure your preparation and the full SY0-701 exam questions for targeted practice throughout.
For the complete picture of why Security+ is valuable in 2026 see our must-have certification guide.
For official exam information and registration visit CompTIA.org.
