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CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ are both vendor-neutral certifications, but they develop different parts of your technical foundation. Network+ concentrates on how networks operate, connect and fail. Security+ concentrates on how systems, networks, identities and data are protected against threats.
For many people who are relatively new to IT, Network+ is the better certification to study first. Security concepts become much easier to understand when you already know how IP addressing, ports, protocols, routing, switching, DNS, wireless networks and network services work.
However, Network+ is not a mandatory prerequisite. If you already have solid networking knowledge through work or previous study, moving directly to Security+ can make sense.
What is CompTIA Network+?
CompTIA Network+ is designed to validate practical, vendor-neutral networking knowledge. The current Network+ exam is N10-009.
It covers areas such as:
- network concepts and the OSI model
- IPv4 and IPv6 addressing
- subnetting
- Ethernet and cabling
- switches, routers and other network devices
- VLANs and routing
- DNS and DHCP
- wireless networking
- WAN and remote-access technologies
- cloud and virtual networking
- network monitoring
- high availability
- network security
- troubleshooting
ExperTrain's CompTIA Network+ Course develops these networking skills through instructor-led training.
What is CompTIA Security+?
CompTIA Security+ develops foundational cyber security knowledge. At the time of writing, the current exam is SY0-701, with the next exam generation expected later in 2026. Anyone planning an exam should check the current CompTIA objectives before booking because certification versions are periodically updated.
Security+ covers topics such as:
- security concepts and controls
- threat actors and attack techniques
- vulnerabilities and mitigations
- secure architecture
- identity and access management
- authentication
- cryptography and PKI
- endpoint and network security
- cloud security
- security monitoring
- incident response
- risk management
- security governance
ExperTrain's CompTIA Security+ Course provides instructor-led training for professionals developing core cyber security skills.
What is the main difference between Network+ and Security+?
The simplest way to think about the difference is:
Network+ teaches you how networks work.
Security+ teaches you how to protect technology and respond when security is threatened.
Security+ assumes that many networking concepts already make sense. A firewall rule, for example, is much easier to understand if you already know what IP addresses, protocols and ports are. Network segmentation makes more sense if you understand subnets, VLANs and routing.
Do you need Network+ before Security+?
No. CompTIA does not require you to hold Network+ before taking Security+.
The more useful question is whether you possess the networking knowledge that Network+ represents.
If terms such as DNS, DHCP, TCP, UDP, VLAN, NAT, VPN, subnet, router and default gateway are unfamiliar, studying networking first is likely to make Security+ easier.
If you already configure networks, troubleshoot connectivity or work with network infrastructure regularly, you may not need to obtain the Network+ certification before progressing to Security+.
Why is networking important in cyber security?
Cyber security is closely connected to networking because attacks and defensive controls frequently involve network communications.
A security analyst may need to understand:
- which systems are communicating
- which IP addresses are involved
- which ports and protocols are being used
- whether traffic is expected
- how DNS requests are being resolved
- where a firewall sits in the traffic path
- how an attacker might move between network segments
- how a VPN or remote-access connection works
Without networking knowledge, it is possible to memorise security terminology without fully understanding what is happening underneath it.
Which certification is more beginner-friendly?
That depends on what you mean by beginner.
If you are new to networking but already comfortable with computers, Network+ usually provides the more logical technical progression.
If you already work in IT administration or networking and are a beginner specifically in cyber security, Security+ may be an appropriate starting point.
Someone completely new to professional IT may benefit from an even broader foundation first. Read CompTIA A+ vs Network+: Which Should You Take First? for help deciding whether A+ should come before Network+.
Which certification is harder?
Neither certification is universally harder because they test different types of knowledge.
Network+ can be challenging because networking is technical and interconnected. Topics such as subnetting, routing, wireless standards and troubleshooting require understanding rather than simple memorisation.
Security+ introduces a large security vocabulary and expects learners to distinguish between threats, controls, architectures and appropriate responses to different scenarios.
For someone without networking experience, Security+ can feel harder because some of its security topics depend on networking knowledge that has not yet been learned.
What jobs is Network+ useful for?
Network+ is relevant to roles such as:
- network support technician
- junior network administrator
- infrastructure support technician
- IT support technician
- network operations technician
- systems support professional
It can also provide a foundation for Cisco, cloud, data-centre and cyber security careers.
What jobs is Security+ useful for?
Security+ is relevant to roles such as:
- junior security analyst
- SOC analyst
- security administrator
- systems administrator with security responsibilities
- network administrator with security responsibilities
- cyber security support professional
- information security analyst
A certification alone does not guarantee one of these roles, but it can demonstrate that you have studied the core concepts expected in security work.
Which is better for a cyber security career?
Security+ is more directly aligned to cyber security, but that does not automatically mean it should be your first certification.
Cyber security professionals protect technology. To protect it effectively, they need to understand how that technology operates.
For somebody with limited IT experience, a progression such as A+ → Network+ → Security+ can build knowledge in a sensible order.
That sequence is not a rule. Experienced professionals should avoid repeating material they already understand simply to collect certificates.
Can Network+ help you become a SOC analyst?
Yes. Network+ is not a SOC certification, but the knowledge is highly relevant.
SOC analysts may investigate firewall events, DNS requests, suspicious IP connections, unusual ports, VPN activity and traffic moving between systems. Understanding networks helps analysts interpret those events rather than treating every alert as an isolated message.
See What Does a SOC Analyst Do? for a closer look at security monitoring and incident investigation.
Does Network+ include security?
Yes. Modern networks cannot be administered responsibly without security knowledge.
Network+ includes topics such as network hardening, secure protocols, authentication, segmentation, wireless security, physical security and common attacks.
However, security is one part of the networking curriculum rather than the main purpose of the certification.
Does Security+ include networking?
Yes, but mainly from a security perspective.
Security+ expects you to understand concepts such as firewalls, segmentation, secure protocols, network attacks, remote access and monitoring. It does not provide the same depth of networking foundation as Network+.
Should you take Security+ first if you want to work in cyber security?
You can, particularly if you already understand networks.
If you are starting from scratch, jumping directly to Security+ may create knowledge gaps. You might learn that network segmentation reduces risk without understanding how VLANs, subnets and routing actually create those boundaries.
Building the networking foundation first often makes later security study more meaningful.
Should you take Network+ if you already have CCNA?
Usually not solely as preparation for Security+.
CCNA already demonstrates substantial networking knowledge. If your CCNA knowledge is current, moving from CCNA to Security+ is normally a more useful progression than returning to Network+.
Our CCNA vs CompTIA Network+: Which Certification Should You Choose? guide compares the vendor-neutral and Cisco-specific routes.
Should you take Network+ if you already work as a network administrator?
Possibly, but assess your knowledge first.
An experienced network administrator may already know much of the Network+ syllabus. In that case, studying Security+ could provide greater development value.
Someone whose networking experience is limited to a narrow environment may still benefit from Network+'s broader vendor-neutral coverage.
Which is better for cloud security?
Both foundations are useful.
Cloud security still relies on networking concepts such as IP addressing, routing, subnets, gateways, load balancing, DNS, VPNs and segmentation. Security+ then adds the security principles used to protect identities, workloads and data.
For someone moving towards cloud security from a non-technical background, networking knowledge should not be skipped.
Which is better before penetration testing?
Security+ is more directly security-focused, but Network+ knowledge is extremely useful for penetration testing.
Penetration testers need to understand network discovery, services, ports, protocols, segmentation and how systems communicate. A sensible foundation is therefore networking first, security second, followed by more specialised offensive-security study.
Which is better before CySA+?
Security+ is generally the more natural predecessor to CompTIA CySA+ because CySA+ develops more advanced defensive security and analysis skills.
However, Network+ knowledge remains valuable because security analytics frequently involves network activity.
Which should a career changer take?
A career changer with little IT experience should normally prioritise foundations rather than rushing towards the certification with the word 'security' in its title.
Consider Network+ first if you cannot yet confidently explain how a device obtains an IP address, how DNS works, why subnets exist, what a router does or why different ports are used.
Consider Security+ first if those concepts are already comfortable and your next goal is specifically cyber security.
A simple decision guide
Completely new to IT? Consider A+ before either certification.
Comfortable with computers but new to networking? Start with Network+.
Already work in IT support and want stronger networking knowledge? Network+ is likely to be useful.
Already understand networks and want to move into cyber security? Security+ is the more direct next step.
Already hold CCNA? You can normally progress directly to Security+ if security is your goal.
Want to become a SOC analyst? Networking knowledge plus Security+ creates a stronger foundation than security theory alone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Security+ without Network+?
Yes. There is no requirement to hold Network+. Make sure you already understand networking fundamentals before starting Security+.
Is Security+ higher than Network+?
They are different certifications rather than simple levels of the same subject. Security+ is more specialised towards cyber security, while Network+ develops networking knowledge.
Do employers require both?
Requirements vary by role and employer. Some value the underlying skills more than a particular combination of certificates.
Do I need both to work in cyber security?
No. You need the knowledge, but you do not necessarily need both certificates. Existing experience or other certifications may already demonstrate networking competence.
Will Network+ make Security+ easier?
For many learners, yes. Networking knowledge provides context for firewalls, attacks, segmentation, monitoring, secure protocols and incident investigation.
Explore CompTIA and cyber security training
Browse ExperTrain's CompTIA training courses, CompTIA Certifications pathway and Cyber Security training.
For a wider look at security certification choices, read Which Cyber Security Certification Should I Take? or use the Cyber Security Glossary to explore common terminology.
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