Do I need Network+ before Security+?

No - CompTIA does not enforce it. But Network+ teaches the networking foundations that make many Security+ topics easier to understand. If you are new to IT, doing Network+ first can smooth the path; if you already know networking, go straight to Security+.

Which has better job prospects?

Security+ appears in far more job postings and is a baseline for many security and government-adjacent roles. Network+ is valuable specifically for networking roles. For broad employability, Security+ usually wins.

Many people do, and it is a strong combination: Network+ proves networking depth and Security+ proves security fundamentals. Earning Security+ also renews Network+ if you hold it, since both sit in CompTIA's continuing-education program.

I'm completely new to IT - where do I start?

If you have no networking background, Network+ (or even A+) first builds a foundation that makes Security+ much easier. If you are security-focused and time-limited, you can start with Security+ directly.

Head-to-head comparison

Security+ vs Network+: which CompTIA cert should you take first?

By The Exam Atlas Editorial Team · Verified 2026-05-31

Our verdict

If your goal is a security career, Security+ is the higher-demand credential and you can take it first - no prerequisite is enforced. Network+ teaches the networking foundation that makes security concepts click and suits network-admin paths. Many people do Network+ then Security+, but if time and money are tight and you are security-bound, Security+ alone is fine.

Side by side

The numbers that decide it, lined up across every dimension that matters.

	SY0-701	N10-009
Focus	Core security	Networking fundamentals
Difficulty	Intermediate	Intermediate
Prerequisite	None (Network+ knowledge helps)	None
Cost (approx.)	~$404	~$369
Format	≤90 questions + performance-based, 90 min	≤90 questions + performance-based, 90 min
Validity	3 years (continuing education)	3 years (continuing education)
Typical roles	SOC analyst, security administrator	Network administrator, network engineer
Demand	Very high in security hiring	Steady; strongest for networking roles

Full exam pages: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) · CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)

Security+ and Network+ are both mid-level, vendor-neutral CompTIA certifications, renewed the same way, so the real question is which earns its place on your CV first. Here is the detailed comparison, beyond the table above.

The core difference

Network+ (N10-009) is about how networks work. Across five domains it covers networking concepts, implementation (routing, switching, wireless), operations, network security, and troubleshooting, with a large share on troubleshooting and concepts. It is the credential that proves you understand the plumbing.

Security+ (SY0-701) is about protecting systems. Its five domains cover general security concepts, threats and vulnerabilities, architecture, operations, and program management. It is the credential employers ask for when they want a baseline in security specifically.

They overlap at the edges (Network+ has a network-security domain; Security+ assumes some networking), but their centres of gravity are different: one is infrastructure, the other is defence.

Cost compared

Close, with Network+ slightly cheaper:

Network+: a voucher of roughly US$369.
Security+: a voucher of roughly US$404.

Both renew over three years through CompTIA’s continuing-education programme, and earning Security+ renews Network+ if you already hold it, since both sit in the same continuing-education scheme. Much of the study material for each is free, including Professor Messer and the official objectives. Confirm current fees with CompTIA.

Difficulty and time

They are comparable in difficulty, and the exam formats are nearly identical:

Network+: up to 90 questions (including performance-based tasks) in 90 minutes, pass mark 720/900. With some IT background, 50-80 hours over six to eight weeks; more if networking is new.
Security+: up to 90 questions (including performance-based tasks) in 90 minutes, pass mark 750/900. With some background, 40-60 hours over six to eight weeks.

Both are rated intermediate. The honest rule of thumb: whichever subject is further from your current knowledge will feel harder. Network+ is heavier on protocols, addressing and troubleshooting; Security+ is broader across threats, architecture and governance.

Recognition and geography

Both are global and vendor-neutral, valid for three years through continuing education. Demand is where they diverge:

Security+ appears in a very large share of security job postings and meets the US DoD 8570/8140 baseline, so it is frequently a hard requirement for SOC, security-administration and government-adjacent roles. For broad employability in security, it has the widest pull.
Network+ is valued specifically for network-administration and engineering tracks, and also features in many entry-IT and government baselines. It is steady rather than high-demand, and strongest for networking roles.

If your target is “get into security”, Security+ opens more doors. If your target is “become a network engineer”, Network+ is the more relevant first step (with Cisco’s CCNA often following).

Career outcomes

Security+ maps to: junior SOC analyst, security administrator, and security-focused IT roles, with US pay commonly around US$60k-95k at the early-career stage.
Network+ maps to: network administrator, junior network engineer, and help-desk or systems roles. It is a foundation that pairs naturally with either Security+ (toward security) or CCNA (toward networking).

Neither is a finish line. Security+ leads toward CySA+ and eventually CISSP/CISM; Network+ leads toward CCNA and deeper networking tracks.

How to decide

It comes down to your destination and your starting point:

Security-bound with limited time and money → Security+ first. There is no enforced prerequisite, it has the widest demand, and it opens the most doors in security.
New to IT, or aiming at networking roles → Network+ first. The networking foundation (firewalls, segmentation, protocols, traffic analysis) makes many Security+ topics noticeably easier, and it suits network-admin paths directly.
Doing both → Network+ then Security+ is a strong, common sequence, and earning Security+ renews Network+.

There is no universal winner. Security+ is the higher-leverage single certification for most people breaking into security; Network+ is the better foundation if networking is either your weak spot or your goal.

Which should you choose?

Choose SY0-701 if

People aiming for a security role (SOC analyst, security administrator) or who need the DoD 8140 baseline, and anyone wanting one credential to get hired in security.

Choose N10-009 if

People new to IT who want solid networking fundamentals first, or those targeting network administration and engineering rather than security.

Our specialty · side by side

Related comparisons

Other like-for-like match-ups featuring SY0-701 or N10-009.

VS AWS Cloud Practitioner vs CompTIA Security+: which first IT certification? Compare → VS CCNA vs CompTIA Network+: which networking certification first? Compare → VS CEH vs CompTIA Security+: offensive hacking or security foundations? Compare → VS CISSP vs Security+: which cybersecurity certification fits you? Compare → VS CompTIA Security+ vs CySA+: which should you take first? Compare →

Where these exams lead

Career paths featuring these exams

See where SY0-701 and N10-009 sit in a longer certification sequence.

How to become a penetration tester with certifications View path → How to become a network engineer with certifications View path → How to become a CISO with certifications View path → How to become a SOC analyst with certifications View path → How to become a cybersecurity analyst with certifications View path → How to become a security engineer: build defences, not just watch them View path →

FAQ

Do I need Network+ before Security+?: No - CompTIA does not enforce it. But Network+ teaches the networking foundations that make many Security+ topics easier to understand. If you are new to IT, doing Network+ first can smooth the path; if you already know networking, go straight to Security+.
Which has better job prospects?: Security+ appears in far more job postings and is a baseline for many security and government-adjacent roles. Network+ is valuable specifically for networking roles. For broad employability, Security+ usually wins.
Should I get both?: Many people do, and it is a strong combination: Network+ proves networking depth and Security+ proves security fundamentals. Earning Security+ also renews Network+ if you hold it, since both sit in CompTIA's continuing-education program.
Which is harder?: They are comparable in difficulty. Network+ is heavier on protocols, addressing and troubleshooting; Security+ is broader across threats, architecture and governance. Whichever is further from your current knowledge will feel harder.
I'm completely new to IT - where do I start?: If you have no networking background, Network+ (or even A+) first builds a foundation that makes Security+ much easier. If you are security-focused and time-limited, you can start with Security+ directly.