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

CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ are often described as a ladder, but they are not strict prerequisites of each other. A+ covers general IT support, Network+ covers networking, and Security+ covers cybersecurity fundamentals. Which one to take first depends on your current experience and your target job. This guide compares them and gives a simple decision framework.

The three certifications at a glance

Details here are drawn from the certification pages on comptia.org. A+ has had version updates, and CompTIA also lists a newer A+ version on its site, so check the current exam codes and passing scores before you register.

What each certification actually teaches

A+: the support and hardware foundation

A+ covers mobile devices, networking basics, hardware, virtualization and cloud concepts, operating system installation and configuration, security fundamentals, software troubleshooting and operational procedures. It is the broadest and most hands-on of the three, and it suits people who are new to IT and want to prove they can support users and devices.

Network+: how data moves

Network+ covers networking concepts (the OSI model, IP addressing and subnetting, common ports and protocols), network implementation (routing, switching, wireless), network operations, network security and troubleshooting. This material directly supports Security+ because so many security controls are network controls: firewalls, segmentation, VPNs, IDS and IPS, and secure protocols.

Security+: baseline security skills

Security+ SY0-701 is organized into five domains: General Security Concepts, Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations, Security Architecture, Security Operations, and Security Program Management and Oversight. It tests judgment about controls, incidents, identity, risk and compliance across vendor-neutral technologies. Our SY0-701 study guide breaks down each domain.

Do you need A+ and Network+ before Security+?

No. CompTIA does not require any prerequisite certification for Security+. It does recommend Network+ and about two years of IT administration experience with a security focus, which tells you what knowledge the exam assumes: networking fluency and hands-on administration habits.

You can skip ahead if you already have that knowledge from work, school or labs. If you do not, Security+ will feel harder because questions presume you know what a subnet, a VLAN or DNS is. A candidate who can explain those without looking them up is ready to start Security+ whether or not they hold Network+.

Which should you take first? A decision framework

Start with A+ if...

• You are new to IT and have little hands-on experience.
• You are targeting help desk or desktop support as your first role.
• You want a structured introduction to hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting.

Start with Network+ if...

• You are comfortable with computers but weak on networking.
• You are aiming at network administration or want a stronger base for security or cloud roles.
• You have tried security material and kept getting lost on ports, routing or segmentation.

Start with Security+ if...

• You already work in IT and understand networks and operating systems.
• Your target role or employer asks for a security certification specifically.
• You want cybersecurity as your direction and are prepared to learn networking as you go.

Employer and role requirements matter most

Some employers, especially government and contractor roles, list specific certifications in job requirements. Security+ is commonly named in U.S. Department of Defense workforce requirements, and you should check your target employer's or agency's current policy rather than relying on a blog post. Look at five job postings for the role you want and see which certifications appear. That list is better evidence than any generic ladder.

A sensible sequencing example

A person with no IT background targeting a security analyst career might plan: A+ for foundations, Network+ for networking, then Security+, spending a few months on each while gaining practical experience through a home lab or entry-level job. A system administrator with several years of experience might go straight to Security+ after reviewing networking topics. Both paths are valid. Budget for the exams too: A+ is two vouchers, while Network+ and Security+ are one each, and our CompTIA exam cost guide lists the current price of each.

After Security+, some people specialise. If your work involves AI tools or models, the newer CompTIA SecAI+ (CY0-001) builds on a Security+ foundation.

How the three certifications overlap

Knowing where the exams overlap helps you decide how much extra study each step really needs. A+ already touches security basics such as malware removal, authentication methods and securing wireless devices. Network+ includes a network security objective with firewalls, secure protocols and common attacks. Security+ then goes wider and deeper on the same ideas: it adds governance, risk management, incident response, identity federation and architecture decisions that the other two only brush against.

In practice that means a candidate who has finished Network+ will recognize a good share of the Security+ vocabulary (ports, VPNs, segmentation, DNS) and can spend their study hours on the genuinely new material: risk calculations, compliance concepts, and operational procedures such as vulnerability management and incident response. A candidate coming straight from A+ may need to spend extra time on subnetting, routing and protocol behavior before the security topics click.

Questions to ask yourself before choosing

1. Can I explain how a packet gets from my laptop to a web server? If you cannot describe DNS lookup, the default gateway and TCP versus UDP, start with networking material before security.
2. Do I have hands-on time with Windows or Linux administration? Account management, group policy, logging and patching come up constantly in security questions.
3. What does my target employer ask for? A listed requirement beats a general recommendation.
4. How much time can I commit each week? Two exams for A+ is a bigger commitment than a single Network+ or Security+ exam, so plan your calendar honestly.
5. Do I learn better by doing or reading? If labs help you, a home lab with a virtual machine, a router and a free log tool can substitute for some workplace experience.

Which version should you study?

CompTIA has announced Security+ V8 (SY0-801) with a launch planned for November 2026. If you intend to take SY0-701, check the retirement timeline on the official Security+ page and match your study material to the exam you book. For A+ and Network+, similarly verify the current exam codes on comptia.org before purchasing study materials.

Frequently asked questions

Should I take A+, Network+ or Security+ first?

If you are new to IT, start with A+; if you know computers but not networking, start with Network+; if you already have IT experience and networking knowledge, Security+ can be your first CompTIA certification. None of the three is a formal prerequisite for another.

Is Network+ required for Security+?

No. CompTIA recommends Network+ plus about two years of IT administration experience with a security focus, but it is a recommendation, not a requirement.

Is Security+ harder than Network+ or A+?

Difficulty is personal. Security+ questions are heavily scenario-based and require judgment between plausible options, while A+ and Network+ lean more on technical recall and troubleshooting. Candidates with a strong networking background often find Security+ more approachable.

How many exams does each certification require?

A+ requires two exams (Core 1 and Core 2). Network+ and Security+ each require one exam. See the CompTIA exam voucher prices for what each costs.

Can I practice for Security+ for free?

Yes. CompCertQuiz offers 40 free Security+ SY0-701 practice questions. They are original practice material and not affiliated with CompTIA. See pricing for the full question bank.