Security+ or A+ First? How to Choose Your First CompTIA Certification
CompTIA A+Security+beginnerscareer
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This is one of the most common questions from people entering IT, and the usual answer, "it depends," is technically true and completely useless. So here is a decision you can actually act on.
The short version
If you have little or no IT experience, start with the A+. If you already work in IT, or you are certain you want cybersecurity, go straight to Security+. That covers most people. The rest of this explains why, so you can be sure it applies to you.
What each one is really for
The A+ is a broad foundation. It covers hardware, operating systems, networking basics, mobile devices, security fundamentals, and troubleshooting. It is designed to get a beginner into their first support role and to teach the vocabulary of the entire field. It is made of two exams, Core 1 and Core 2.
Security+ is a focused, mid-level credential in cybersecurity. It goes deeper on threats, cryptography, access control, and secure architecture. It is widely required for security and government-adjacent roles and carries more weight with employers than the A+, because it signals a specialization rather than a foundation.
They are not competitors. They sit on different rungs of the same ladder.
Why beginners should usually start with the A+
Security+ assumes you already understand how computers and networks work. If you have never configured an operating system, set up a network connection, or troubleshot hardware, jumping straight to Security+ means learning two things at once: the security concepts and the fundamentals they are built on. That is slower and more frustrating than doing them in order.
The A+ also maps to the jobs a beginner can actually get first. Help desk and support roles are the realistic entry point, and the A+ is the credential they ask for. Security roles usually are not entry-level.
When to skip the A+ and go straight to Security+
Skip ahead if any of these are true:
- You already work in IT and know the fundamentals from experience.
- You have a strong technical background from another field.
- Your target is explicitly a security or compliance role, and you are prepared for a steeper climb.
Security+ is a bigger jump, but for the right person it saves months. There is no rule that forces you through the A+ first. CompTIA recommends it as a foundation; it does not require it.
The stack most people actually want
For a typical career changer, the winning sequence is A+, then Security+ (often with Network+ in between). The A+ gets you hired. Security+ gets you promoted and opens the better-paying, more secure roles. Doing them in that order means each one builds on the last instead of leaving gaps.
How to choose in ten minutes, not ten forum threads
Stop reading opinions and get data about you. Take a free A+ diagnostic. If most of it feels easy and obvious, you already have the fundamentals and can aim straight at Security+. If it exposes real gaps, that gap is your answer: start with the A+. Ten minutes of honest testing beats ten threads of strangers arguing.
Frequently asked questions
Should a complete beginner start with A+ or Security+?
A complete beginner should usually start with the A+. It builds the fundamentals Security+ assumes you already know and maps to the entry-level jobs beginners can realistically get first.
Can you take Security+ without the A+?
Yes. CompTIA recommends the A+ as a foundation but does not require it. If you already have IT experience or a strong technical background, you can go straight to Security+.
Is Security+ harder than A+?
Yes. Security+ is a mid-level certification that goes deeper into security concepts and asks scenario-based judgment questions, whereas the A+ is a broad, more factual foundation.
What is the best order for CompTIA certifications?
A common and effective path is A+, then Network+, then Security+. Each builds on the last, so you avoid gaps and each exam feels more manageable.