Security+ V8 (SY0-801) is scheduled to launch on or around November 17, 2026. SY0-701 remains available until June 11, 2027 (English), so this page covers SY0-701.
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.
Side-by-side comparison
| Category | Network+ | Security+ |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate — heavy on subnetting and routing | Intermediate — heavy on applied judgment and scenarios |
| Exam cost | $399 (US list price as of October 2026; check comptia.org for current pricing) | $439 (US list price as of October 2026) |
| 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 8140 | Work roles: technical support specialist, network operations specialist, system administrator | Many cybersecurity work roles (cyber defense analyst, incident responder, vulnerability analyst, and more) |
| 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.
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 and identity management, which Network+ covers only briefly, and incident response, which it doesn't cover, are significant portions of the exam. Performance-based questions (PBQs) require you to interact with simulated environments, which catches candidates who only memorized definitions without understanding how concepts apply.
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.
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 meets DoD 8140 requirements for many cybersecurity work roles (CompTIA lists cyber defense analyst, incident responder, vulnerability analyst, security control assessor, system administrator and more), so it covers more federal positions than Network+. If federal IT or defense contractor work is your target, Security+ has a clear compensation advantage.
Which should you take next?
Ready to start studying?
See the recommended study materials for whichever certification you're targeting next: