Network+ vs Security+: Which CompTIA Cert to Take Next (and Why Order Matters)
Network+ vs Security+: which CompTIA cert to take next. A clear comparison of exam format, difficulty, jobs, and the order that actually makes sense in 2026.
Network+ and Security+ are both entry-level CompTIA certifications, but they are not interchangeable and they are not the same difficulty. Network+ (exam N10-009) certifies that you can build, configure, and troubleshoot networks. Security+ (exam SY0-701) certifies that you can secure them. The short answer to which comes first: if you want a networking role, take Network+ first; if you are aiming straight at cybersecurity and already understand basic networking, most people go directly to Security+.
That short answer hides the decision that actually matters, which is what your target job asks for and whether you need the networking foundation before the security layer will make sense. Here is the honest comparison of format, difficulty, jobs, and order, so you spend your voucher money once instead of twice.
Quick takeaways
- Network+ (N10-009) is about building and troubleshooting networks; Security+ (SY0-701) is about securing them. Different exams, different jobs.
- Security+ is the more in-demand cert for hiring, and it is the one that satisfies the DoD 8570/8140 baseline for many roles, per CompTIA.
- Network+ is not a prerequisite for Security+. CompTIA recommends it as background, but you can take Security+ first.
- Most career switchers aiming at cybersecurity take Security+ directly; most people aiming at network or infrastructure roles take Network+ first.
- Security+ is generally rated slightly harder because it covers more conceptual security material, though difficulty is individual.
- PrepClubs is independent prep material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
The two exams side by side
Both are single-exam certifications with a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs), per CompTIA. Here is the head-to-head.
| Attribute | Network+ (N10-009) | Security+ (SY0-701) |
|---|---|---|
| What it certifies | Networking: infrastructure, configuration, troubleshooting | Security: threats, cryptography, risk, operations |
| Max questions | 90 | 90 |
| Question types | Multiple-choice and PBQs | Multiple-choice and PBQs |
| Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 720 out of 900 | 750 out of 900 |
| Domains | 5 | 5 |
| Recommended experience | 9 to 12 months networking | CompTIA Network+ and 2 years security-adjacent experience |
| Meets DoD 8140 baseline | For some roles | Yes, for several baseline roles |
Read the passing scores carefully. Both are scaled 100 to 900, but Security+ needs 750 versus Network+ at 720, per CompTIA. That is a small signal that Security+ leaves slightly less room for error.
What each cert is actually for
Network+ teaches the plumbing. You learn IP addressing and subnetting, routing and switching concepts, network topologies, cabling, wireless standards, and how to troubleshoot a connection that will not come up. It maps to roles like network technician, junior network administrator, and help desk positions that touch infrastructure.
Security+ teaches the defense. You learn threat types and attack techniques, cryptography basics, identity and access management, secure network design, risk and governance concepts, and incident response. It maps to roles like security analyst, SOC analyst, junior security administrator, and it is the cert most commonly listed on entry-level cybersecurity job postings.
The overlap is real but thin. Security+ assumes you understand how a network works so it can teach you how to secure it. That assumption is exactly why the order question matters.
The order decision, honestly
Here is the decision most guides bury. CompTIA recommends Network+ as background for Security+, but it is not a hard prerequisite, and the right order depends entirely on your target job and your starting knowledge.
Take Network+ first if:
- Your target role is networking or infrastructure (network technician, network administrator, systems support).
- You are new to IT and do not yet feel comfortable with IP addressing, subnetting, and how traffic moves across a network.
- Your employer or program specifically asks for it.
Go straight to Security+ if:
- Your target role is cybersecurity and the job postings you want list Security+, not Network+.
- You already understand basic networking from experience, school, or self-study.
- You are on a deadline to meet a DoD 8140 baseline requirement, where Security+ is the workhorse cert.
The trap is taking Network+ "because it comes first" when your actual goal is a security job that never asks for Network+. If cybersecurity is the destination, Security+ is the cert that gets interviews, and you can backfill networking knowledge without paying for a second exam you do not need.
Which is harder
Most candidates rate Security+ as slightly harder than Network+, and the reasons are consistent. Network+ is concrete: subnetting math, port numbers, cable types, and troubleshooting steps have right answers you can drill to automaticity. Security+ is more conceptual: it asks you to choose the best control in a scenario, weigh risk, and reason about attacker behavior, where two answers can both look correct.
Both exams share the feature that trips people up most: performance-based questions. PBQs put you in a simulated task (configure a firewall rule, analyze a log, match attacks to defenses) at the start of the exam, and they carry more weight than a single multiple-choice item. Candidates who only drilled flashcards freeze on PBQs regardless of which exam they sit. The fix is the same for both: practice with question banks that include PBQ-style tasks and explain the reasoning, not just the answer.
Salary and job-market reality
Neither cert is a salary guarantee, and anyone quoting you a precise number is guessing. What is true and useful: Security+ appears on far more entry-level cybersecurity job postings than Network+, and it is the more frequently required cert overall because of the DoD baseline. Network+ carries more weight for pure networking and infrastructure roles, where security certs matter less.
If you can only afford one exam this quarter and you want the widest set of doors to open, Security+ is usually the stronger bet. If your specific target job asks for Network+, then Network+ is the stronger bet for you. Match the cert to the posting, not to a generic ranking.
FAQ
Should I take Network+ or Security+ first?
Take Network+ first if you want a networking or infrastructure role or you are new to IT and shaky on how networks work. Go straight to Security+ if you want a cybersecurity role, the job postings you want list Security+, and you already understand basic networking. Network+ is recommended background but not a required prerequisite, per CompTIA.
Is Network+ required before Security+?
No. CompTIA recommends Network+ knowledge as a foundation, but you can register for and pass Security+ without holding Network+. Many cybersecurity-bound candidates skip Network+ entirely.
Which is harder, Network+ or Security+?
Most candidates find Security+ slightly harder because it is more conceptual and scenario-driven, while Network+ rewards concrete knowledge like subnetting and troubleshooting. Both include performance-based questions that are the real difficulty spike.
Do both exams have the same format?
Nearly. Both are up to 90 questions in 90 minutes with a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions, per CompTIA. Network+ passes at 720 out of 900; Security+ passes at 750 out of 900.
Can I take both, and in what order?
Yes, and many people do. The common path is Network+ then Security+ for infrastructure-to-security careers, or Security+ alone for a direct cybersecurity entry. If you plan to hold both, Network+ first gives you the foundation Security+ assumes.
Which cert pays more?
There is no honest single number. Security+ tends to appear on more cybersecurity postings and satisfies the DoD 8140 baseline, so it opens more security roles; Network+ carries more weight for networking roles. Pay depends on role, region, and experience far more than on which of these two certs you hold.
Related on PrepClubs
- CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Exam Objectives: The Full Domain Breakdown: what the five Network+ domains actually cover.
- Security+ Exam Objectives (SY0-701): The Full Domain Breakdown: the security side, domain by domain.
- How Hard Is Network+? An Honest Read After A+: a realistic difficulty check.
- The CompTIA Trifecta: A+, Network+, and Security+ as a Career Path: how the three stack.
Pick the cert your target job asks for
Network+ versus Security+ is really a question about your destination, not a ranking. If you want networking, start with Network+; if you want cybersecurity, Security+ is the cert that gets you interviews, and you do not need to buy Network+ first to sit it. Whichever you commit to, the money is best spent passing on the first attempt, because a retake is another full voucher. PrepClubs runs a free 25-question diagnostic for both the N10-009 and the SY0-701 so you can see where you stand before you buy, then a full-length bank with PBQ-style tasks and written rationales that explain the reasoning behind each answer. It is a one-time purchase with 30 days of access, not a subscription. If you prepare with PrepClubs and do not pass your real test, we extend your access at no extra cost. No fine print. PrepClubs has helped more than 3,700 students prepare for cognitive and certification assessments. Start with the free Network+ or Security+ diagnostic.
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