Network+ vs Security+

⚡ Quick Answer

It depends on your career direction. If you want to work in networking, infrastructure, or sysadmin roles — take Network+ next. If you want to move into cybersecurity, work in government IT, or need DoD 8570 compliance — take Security+ next. Both certifications are legitimate mid-level credentials. The right one depends on what you want to do, not which is objectively better.

What each certification actually covers

Network+ and Security+ sit at a similar career level — both are intermediate CompTIA certifications typically pursued after A+. But they go deep in very different directions. Network+ goes deep on how networks are built and operate. Security+ goes deep on how to identify threats, implement controls, and protect systems.

Networking Track

CompTIA Network+

Exam code N10-009

Format One exam, up to 90 questions

Cost ~$369

Passing score 720 / 900

Recommended before CompTIA A+ or equivalent experience

Renewal Every 3 years

Cybersecurity Track

CompTIA Security+

Exam code SY0-701

Format One exam, up to 90 questions + PBQs

Cost ~$404

Passing score 750 / 900

Recommended before Network+ or 2 years IT experience

Renewal Every 3 years

Side-by-side comparison

Category	Network+	Security+
Difficulty	Intermediate — heavy on subnetting and routing	Intermediate — heavy on applied judgment and scenarios
Exam cost	~$369	~$404
Focus area	How networks are designed, built, and troubleshot	How systems are secured, threats identified, incidents handled
Math required	Yes — subnetting, CIDR, IP calculations	Minimal — more conceptual and scenario-based
Best for	Network admin, sysadmin, IT infrastructure roles	Cybersecurity analyst, security admin, SOC roles
Average salary	$55,000–$75,000+	$65,000–$90,000+
DoD 8570 / 8140	IAT Level II	IAT Level II + IAM Level I — more roles covered
Job posting demand	High in networking / infrastructure	Very high — one of the most requested certs in job listings
Leads toward	CCNA, cloud certifications, sysadmin path	CySA+, CEH, CISSP, penetration testing path
Study time	~2–4 months (with A+ background)	~2–4 months (with networking background)

What Network+ actually tests

Network+ is built around understanding how networks function at a deep level. Where A+ gives you a surface-level introduction to networking, Network+ expects you to actually calculate subnets, understand how routing protocols make forwarding decisions, configure VLANs, and diagnose complex network failures. The troubleshooting component is significant — a large portion of the exam presents network scenarios and asks you to identify what went wrong and how to fix it.

Network+ Domains

Networking concepts — OSI model, protocols, ports

Network implementation — VLANs, wireless, routing

IP addressing and subnetting (CIDR)

WAN technologies and cloud networking

Network operations — monitoring, documentation

Network security fundamentals

Network troubleshooting methodology

What N+ does NOT cover deeply

Cryptography and PKI

Threat intelligence and attack techniques

Identity and access management

Incident response procedures

Governance, risk, and compliance

Vulnerability management

Security architecture and zero trust

What Security+ actually tests

Security+ tests applied security judgment more than technical configuration. The exam doesn't ask you to configure a firewall — it asks you to look at a scenario, identify the threat, and choose the most appropriate control. Cryptography, identity management, and incident response are significant portions of the exam that don't appear in Network+ at all. Performance-based questions (PBQs) require you to interact with simulated environments, which catches candidates who only memorized definitions without understanding how concepts apply.

Security+ Domains (SY0-701)

General security concepts and controls

Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations

Cryptography and PKI

Identity and access management

Security architecture and zero trust

Cloud and virtualization security

Incident response and digital forensics

Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC)

What Sec+ assumes you already know

TCP/IP fundamentals

Basic network protocols and ports

Firewall and network segmentation concepts

OSI model and how traffic flows

Basic routing and switching

Wireless networking fundamentals

Which is harder?

They're different kinds of hard. Network+ is harder if you struggle with math and technical depth — subnetting trips up many candidates and the troubleshooting scenarios require systematic thinking about how routing and switching actually work.

Security+ is harder if you struggle with ambiguity. The exam frequently presents scenarios where multiple answers seem defensible, and you have to choose the best one. Cryptographic concepts, PKI chains, and risk management frameworks can feel abstract in a way that networking topics don't. Performance-based questions add another layer of difficulty that pure multiple-choice prep doesn't cover.

In terms of raw failure rates, Security+ tends to trip up slightly more candidates on their first attempt — mainly because people underestimate how much applied judgment it requires and over-rely on memorization.

📊 Study time comparison

Network+: 2–4 months with A+ background. The subnetting and routing content takes time to internalize — practice problems matter more than re-reading notes.

Security+: 2–4 months with networking experience. The breadth of domains is wide, and PBQ practice is essential. Candidates who only study multiple choice often fail because of PBQs.

Which pays more?

Security+ typically leads to higher-paying roles, particularly in cybersecurity analyst, SOC analyst, and security engineering positions. The cybersecurity skills gap is real — there are more open security positions than qualified candidates, which keeps salaries elevated. That said, experienced Network+ holders in network engineering roles can earn comparable or higher compensation once they have years of experience.

For government and DoD work specifically, Security+ carries more weight. It satisfies IAT Level II and IAM Level I requirements under DoD 8570/8140, covering more positions than Network+ alone. If federal IT or defense contractor work is your target, Security+ has a clear compensation advantage.

Which should you take next?

🌐

You want to work in networking or infrastructure

Take Network+ next Network+ First

Network+ directly validates the skills employers look for in network admin and sysadmin roles. It's the more natural progression from A+ for this path and makes Security+ easier when you get there.

🔒

You want to work in cybersecurity specifically

Take Security+ next Security+ First

Security+ is the baseline for most entry-level cybersecurity roles. If cybersecurity is your target, get Security+ on your resume as quickly as possible — it unlocks SOC analyst and security admin job listings that ignore candidates without it.

🏛️

You're pursuing government or DoD IT work

Security+ is the priority Security+ First

DoD 8570/8140 requirements make Security+ essentially mandatory for many federal IT positions. It satisfies more roles than Network+ and should be your first target if government work is the goal.

✅

You already have Network+ and want to level up

Security+ is the clear next step Security+ Next

Network+ builds much of the foundation Security+ assumes — you already understand protocols, ports, firewalls, and network architecture. You're better prepared for Security+ than most candidates and should capitalize on that momentum.

💼

You're undecided on specialization

Take Network+ first, then Security+ Both

Network+ → Security+ is the most common and logical CompTIA progression. Network+ gives you depth in infrastructure; Security+ builds on that with security concepts. Together they make you competitive for a wide range of IT roles.

⏱️

You need a certification quickly for a job application

Depends on the role — check the job listing Depends

Look at which certification appears more often in job listings for the role you're targeting. Network admin and infrastructure roles list Network+. Security analyst and IT security roles list Security+. Let the job market tell you which to prioritize.

Ready to start studying?

See the recommended study materials for whichever certification you're targeting next:

🌐

CompTIA Network+ Resources

Best study guide (with 10% exam voucher), practice exams, and free course for the N10-009 exam.

See Network+ Resources →

🔒

CompTIA Security+ Resources

Best study guide, practice exams, and Professor Messer's free course for the SY0-701 exam.

See Security+ Resources →