Network+ or Security+: Which Should You Take After the A+?
Network+Security+CompTIAcareer path
Photo by Field Engineer on Pexels
You passed the A+ (or you are close), and now you face the classic fork: Network+ or Security+ next? Both are good. The right one depends on where you want to go, and here is how to decide without a dozen forum threads.
The quick answer
If you want the strongest job-market signal and a security-leaning career, go Security+. It is more in demand, it satisfies a common requirement for government and defense-adjacent roles, and it carries more weight with employers than Network+.
If networking is your target, or you want the smoothest learning curve, go Network+. It builds directly on the A+ networking basics and makes Security+ easier later.
For many people the honest answer is: Security+ if you must pick one, Network+ first if you plan to do both.
What each one gives you
Network+ goes deep on how networks work: addressing, routing and switching, wireless, network services, and troubleshooting connectivity. It is the natural next step after the A+ and the foundation for network administrator and engineer roles.
Security+ is a cybersecurity credential: threats, cryptography, access control, secure architecture, and incident response. It is the gateway to security analyst roles and one of the most requested certifications in all of IT.
Why order matters if you do both
Security+ touches a lot of networking concepts, so doing Network+ first makes Security+ feel easier, because you are not learning networking and security at the same time. That is the classic A+, Network+, Security+ progression, and it exists for a reason.
But if your goal is explicitly security and you want to reach a hireable credential fastest, you can skip straight to Security+ after the A+. It is a bigger jump, not an impossible one.
The job-market reality
If you scan entry-to-mid level IT job postings, Security+ shows up more often than Network+, largely because of demand for security skills and its acceptance for compliance-driven roles. That does not make Network+ a waste; it makes Security+ the safer single bet if you can only earn one right now.
Decide with data, not opinions
The fastest way to choose is to see where you already stand. Try a free Network+ diagnostic and a free Security+ diagnostic. Whichever one exposes fewer gaps is the faster win, and whichever aligns with the career you actually want is the right long-term pick. Let the results, not the internet, make the call.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take Network+ or Security+ after the A+?
Take Security+ if you want the strongest job-market signal or a security career. Take Network+ if networking is your target or you want the smoothest learning curve, ideally before Security+ if you plan to do both.
Is Network+ required before Security+?
No. CompTIA recommends the progression but does not require it. Network+ first makes Security+ easier, but you can go straight to Security+ after the A+.
Which is more in demand, Network+ or Security+?
Security+ generally appears more often in job postings and is required for many government and compliance-driven roles, making it the safer single bet.
What is the classic CompTIA certification path?
A+, then Network+, then Security+. Each builds on the last, so you avoid learning gaps and each exam feels more manageable.