CompTIA A+ vs Network+ vs Security+ — Which Should You Take First?
The three foundational CompTIA certs compared — what each covers, how hard they are, and the right order to take them based on where you're starting.
Short answer: if you’re new to IT, take CompTIA A+ first — it’s the foundation everything else builds on. If you already have hands-on IT experience, you can often skip straight to Network+, then Security+. The standard, employer-recognized path is A+ → Network+ → Security+. Here’s how to decide what’s right for you.
The three at a glance
| A+ | Network+ | Security+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Hardware, OS, support | Networking, protocols | Cybersecurity |
| Exams | Two (220-1201 + 220-1202) | One (N10-009) | One (SY0-701) |
| Difficulty | Broad but shallow | Moderate (subnetting!) | Conceptual, scenario-heavy |
| Pass score | 675 / 700 of 900 | 720 / 900 | 750 / 900 |
| Best for | First IT job | Network roles | Security roles |
Each step up the ladder demands a higher passing score — a fair reflection of the higher stakes. For a deeper breakdown of all three, see Passing the CompTIA Trifecta.
Take A+ first — if you’re new to IT
A+ assumes no experience and teaches the fundamentals — how computers, operating systems, and basic networks actually work, plus the troubleshooting mindset every IT job relies on. If you’re a career changer, a student, or anyone without hands-on IT experience, start here. It’s the credential that lands your first role (help desk, desktop support), and it makes Network+ and Security+ far easier later. The full path is covered in the A+ guide, and you can decide if it’s right for you in Is CompTIA A+ Worth It?
When you can skip A+
A+ isn’t mandatory. You can go straight to Network+ if:
- You already work in IT (even a year of help desk covers most A+ ground).
- You have a strong tech background and just need the paper credential for a networking or security role.
There’s no rule that you must hold A+ before Network+ or Security+ — they have no prerequisites. A+ is recommended groundwork, not a gate.
Network+ comes next
Once you understand a single machine (A+), Network+ teaches how machines talk to each other — the OSI model, subnetting, routing, switching, and troubleshooting. It opens network technician and junior administrator roles, and it deepens the networking concepts that Security+ assumes you already know. The make-or-break skill here is subnetting — start it early.
Security+ is the career-defining one
Security+ is the most valuable of the three for one big reason: it satisfies the U.S. DoD 8140/8570 baseline, which is why so many cybersecurity and government roles require it specifically. It’s also the most conceptual — heavy on scenarios (“given this situation, which control applies?”). It’s the natural capstone of the trifecta and your gateway into security work.
Can you jump straight to Security+?
Technically yes — it has no prerequisites. But for a true beginner it’s a steep climb, because Security+ assumes you already understand the systems and networks you’re securing. Unless you have solid IT fundamentals already, build up to it rather than starting there.
The bottom line
- New to IT? A+ → Network+ → Security+, in that order.
- Already in IT? You can likely skip A+ and start with Network+ or go where your target job points.
- Targeting cybersecurity specifically? Security+ is the goal — just make sure your fundamentals are solid first.
Whichever you start with, you can grab a free, printable study plan and 10-week schedule for each cert to map your path.