Network+ vs. Security+: Which Should You Take First?

If you are trying to enter the IT industry or build a cybersecurity career, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ are two certifications you will encounter early. Both can strengthen your technical knowledge, improve your job prospects, and prepare you for more advanced certifications. However, they teach different essential skills and support different career goals.

In this article, we’ll compare Network+ and Security+ to help you decide which certification to take first. For most complete beginners, Network+ is the better starting point because security professionals need to understand the networks they protect. Security+ may be the better first choice for experienced professionals who already have solid networking knowledge or need the certification for a specific position.

The most important distinction is this: you may be able to skip the Network+ certification exam, but you should not skip Network+-level knowledge.

Network+ vs. Security+: The Short Answer

The Network+ vs. Security+ decision should depend on your current experience and desired job roles.

Take CompTIA Network+ first if you:

• Are new to IT or coming from a non-IT background
• Need to learn networking basics
• Want to work as a network technician or network support specialist
• Need experience with network troubleshooting and network operations
• Eventually want to enter security, but have networking knowledge gaps

Take CompTIA Security+ first if you:

• Already work in IT support, networking, or systems administration
• Understand common network protocols, devices, and services
• Need Security+ for a particular employer or government-related position
• Want to pursue cybersecurity positions
• Already have Network+-equivalent technical knowledge

If you plan to earn both CompTIA certifications, Network+ followed by Security+ is usually the most logical CompTIA certification path.

CompTIA Network+ vs. CompTIA Security+: Key Differences

CompTIA Network+ focuses on how networks are designed, configured, maintained, and repaired. CompTIA Security+ focuses on how organizations protect systems, networks, applications, and information.

Category	CompTIA Network+	CompTIA Security+
Primary focus	Networking technologies and troubleshooting	Security principles, threats, and controls
Current exam	N10-009	SY0-701
Recommended for	Networking and infrastructure roles	Security and information assurance roles
Major topics	IP addressing, routing, switching, network services, wireless networks, cloud networking, monitoring	Threats, vulnerabilities, secure systems, identity, risk management, incident response, governance
Relevant job roles	Network technician, technical support specialist, network support specialist	Security administrator, junior security analyst, security specialist
Formal prerequisites	None	None
Typical order	Before Security+	After Network+ or equivalent knowledge

Network+ covers some security concepts, such as network hardening and wireless security, but security is not its central focus. Security+ covers network security while also addressing identity, cryptography, vulnerabilities, governance, access control, data integrity, and security program management.

What Foundational Knowledge Does CompTIA Network+ Build?

The CompTIA Network+ certification establishes baseline skills in networking fundamentals. It helps learners understand how data travels, how devices communicate, and how existing networks are configured and maintained.

ONLC’s CompTIA Network+ Certification Training prepares students for the N10-009 certification exam. The course covers:

• Network topologies, devices, and communication methods
• Cabling, interfaces, switches, and routing
• TCP/IP addressing and essential network services
• Cloud networking and virtualization
• Wireless networks and access points
• Network monitoring and management
• Network security features and controls
• Structured network troubleshooting

These networking concepts provide context for later security training. Before you can evaluate secure network architectures or interpret suspicious traffic, you need to understand what normal network behavior looks like.

Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification, so its networking knowledge is not limited to one manufacturer’s equipment. That makes it useful for IT professionals working with diverse infrastructure and emerging technologies.

What Does CompTIA Security+ Cover?

CompTIA Security+ introduces the core security functions that organizations use to protect their technology environments. ONLC’s CompTIA Security+ Certification Training prepares students for the SY0-701 exam.

Security+ covers topics such as:

• General security concepts and security controls
• Threat actors, malware, and social engineering
• Vulnerability identification and penetration testing concepts
• Secure network architectures and applications
• Authentication, authorization, and access control
• Cryptography and public key infrastructure
• Cloud, mobile, and wireless security
• Security operations and incident response
• Risk management and compliance
• Security program management and oversight

Security+ is considered an entry-level certification within cybersecurity, but that does not mean it is designed for someone with no technical background. CompTIA recommends Network+-level knowledge and approximately two years of experience in a security or systems administrator role.

ONLC similarly recommends Network+ certification or equivalent knowledge, along with experience in networking support or IT administration.

Is Network+ Required Before Security+?

Network+ is not a formal prerequisite for Security+. You can register for the Security+ certification exam without holding Network+ or any other certification.

However, Security+ assumes you understand networking fundamentals. Topics such as segmentation, firewall rules, virtual private networks, protocols, access points, intrusion detection, and secure communications become harder to understand without that foundational knowledge.

This is why many certified professionals make a distinction between skipping the CompTIA Network+ exam and skipping the material. Experienced professionals may not benefit enough from earning the Network+ credential, but they still need the underlying networking experience.

If you can already explain TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, routing, switching, common ports, firewalls, and the OSI model, you may be prepared to begin CompTIA Security+. If those terms are unfamiliar, starting with Network+ will help close your knowledge gaps.

CompTIA Network+ Certification for Complete Beginners

The CompTIA Network+ certification is generally the better starting point for complete beginners who already understand basic computers but lack networking experience.

Network+ can help build the practical knowledge needed for technical support, infrastructure, and network operations. It can also prepare learners for positions such as:

• Help desk technician
• Network technician
• Network support specialist
• Field service technician
• Junior systems administrator
• Infrastructure support specialist

These positions can provide hands-on experience with user accounts, operating systems, devices, connectivity problems, and existing networks. That experience can later support a move into specialized security roles.

Learners coming from non-IT backgrounds may benefit from taking CompTIA A+ training before Network+. A+ covers hardware, operating systems, software, cloud concepts, technical support, and troubleshooting, creating a broader technical foundation.

When Experienced Professionals Can Take CompTIA Security+ First

Experienced professionals may not need to follow every step of the traditional CompTIA certification path.

Security+ may be the more efficient first certification if you:

• Already work in network or systems administration
• Have at least nine months of networking experience
• Understand network devices, network protocols, and operating systems
• Need Security+ to meet a prospective employer’s requirements
• Want to validate existing security knowledge
• Need a recognized credential for certain government agencies or contractors

Security+ is frequently associated with government and defense technology roles, but requirements vary by position. Certification holders should always review the exact requirements for their desired roles rather than assuming Security+ qualifies them for every government security position.

Even experienced professionals should review the current Security+ exam objectives. The exam extends beyond network security to cover governance, incident response, risk, cryptography, cloud security, and organizational security operations.

A CompTIA Security+ Readiness Check

You may be ready to start Security+ if you can confidently:

• Explain the functions of routers, switches, firewalls, and access points
• Identify common ports and network protocols
• Explain how DNS and DHCP work
• Understand TCP/IP and the OSI model
• Describe VPNs, segmentation, and access control
• Recognize common network and operating-system tools
• Follow a structured troubleshooting process
• Explain how information travels between networks

If several of these areas are unfamiliar, Network+ training should probably come first.

ONLC’s Recommended CompTIA Certification Path

ONLC’s overall guidance is that Network+ is not required before Security+, but most professionals entering IT should first develop Network+-level knowledge.

Complete Beginners

A suitable sequence is:

1. CompTIA Tech+ or CompTIA A+
2. CompTIA Network+
3. CompTIA Security+
4. CySA+, PenTest+, or another specialization

Learners With IT Support Experience

A suitable sequence is:

1. CompTIA Network+
2. CompTIA Security+
3. A specialized security or networking certification

Experienced Network or Systems Professionals

A suitable sequence is:

1. CompTIA Security+
2. CySA+ for defensive security
3. PenTest+ for offensive security
4. SecurityX for advanced security architecture and engineering

ONLC offers CompTIA certification courses and learning paths, along with certification bundles that allow learners to combine related training. ONLC also offers an IT Security Specialist CareerPath program for learners interested in developing broader cybersecurity skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should career changers take Network+ or Security+ first?

Most career changers should take Network+ first, especially if they have limited technical or networking experience. Career changers who already possess strong networking knowledge may begin with Security+.

Is CompTIA Network+ harder than CompTIA Security+?

The exams are challenging in different ways. Network+ emphasizes networking technologies, commands, and troubleshooting. Security+ covers a wider range of threats, security controls, governance topics, and real-world scenarios. Difficulty depends on your background and strengths.

Can I get a cybersecurity job with Security+ and no experience?

Security+ can strengthen your résumé, but many cybersecurity positions still expect hands-on experience. Combining the certification with labs, home projects, networking knowledge, and an entry-level IT position can create a stronger career path.

Do I need both CompTIA certifications?

You do not need to earn both certifications for every career. Many professionals study Network+ concepts and then earn the Security+ certification. However, holding both may demonstrate broader foundational knowledge to prospective employers.

Should I buy an exam voucher before starting training?

It is usually better to understand your study timeline and readiness before purchasing an exam voucher. Check the voucher’s expiration terms and whether your ONLC training package already includes one.

Choose the Certification That Supports Your Next Step

The right certification is not simply the one that looks best on a résumé. It is the one that prepares you for your next realistic career move. For most complete beginners, that means taking the CompTIA Network+ certification first to build the networking knowledge that cybersecurity depends on. Experienced IT professionals who already understand networking concepts may be ready to start with CompTIA Security+.

Ultimately, you may be able to skip the Network+ exam, but you should not skip Network+-level knowledge. By considering your current skills, knowledge gaps, career goals, and target roles, you can choose a certification path that builds practical capabilities and moves you closer to the job you want.