Quick answer: If you want to start in networking or need a foundational IT cert first, get the CCNA. If you’re aiming for a security role or need a quicker, vendor-neutral credential to land a help desk or SOC job, get Security+ first. For most beginners, Security+ is easier and faster, but CCNA opens more doors in networking.
If you’re new to IT and torn between two of the most popular entry-level certifications—Cisco’s CCNA and CompTIA’s Security+—you’re not alone. Both are respected, but they serve different purposes. This guide breaks down the key differences in career paths, salary potential, difficulty, and study time so you can decide which certification to pursue first.
CCNA vs Security+: What’s the Core Difference?
The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is a vendor-specific certification focused on networking fundamentals: routing, switching, VLANs, IP addressing, and basic network security. It’s designed for network admins and engineers who work with Cisco gear.
Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification covering broad cybersecurity topics: threats, vulnerabilities, cryptography, identity management, and risk management. It’s aimed at security generalists, SOC analysts, and IT professionals who need a security baseline.
Key distinction: CCNA proves you can build and troubleshoot networks. Security+ proves you understand how to secure them. One is about making things work, the other is about keeping them safe.
Career Paths: Which Cert Leads Where?
Your career goals are the single most important factor in this decision.
With a CCNA
- Network Administrator – manage routers, switches, LANs/WANs
- Network Engineer – design and implement network infrastructure
- NOC Technician – monitor and troubleshoot network operations
- ISP Support Engineer – work with service providers
CCNA is the gold standard for networking roles. Many job listings explicitly require or prefer it. It also sets you up for advanced Cisco certs (CCNP, CCIE) and roles in data center, wireless, or collaboration.
With Security+
- Security Analyst – monitor SIEMs, respond to incidents
- SOC Analyst – work in a security operations center
- Compliance Officer – ensure adherence to frameworks like NIST or ISO
- IT Auditor – assess security controls
Security+ is often a baseline requirement for government and defense contractor roles (DoD 8570 compliant). It’s also a strong starting point for cybersecurity, but you’ll likely need additional certs (CySA+, CISSP) to advance.
Hybrid Roles
Many jobs require both. For example, a Network Security Engineer typically needs networking depth (CCNA) plus security knowledge (Security+). If you want to specialize in network security, plan to get both eventually—but the order matters.
Salary and Job Prospects
| Certification | Average Entry-Level Salary (US) | Typical Job Titles |
|---|---|---|
| CCNA | $55,000–$75,000 | Network Admin, NOC Tech, Jr. Engineer |
| Security+ | $50,000–$65,000 | SOC Analyst, Security Specialist, Help Desk |
CCNA generally leads to higher-paying roles because networking skills are in high demand and require more technical hands-on knowledge. Security+ roles often start lower but can grow quickly with experience and additional certs.
Important: Salary depends heavily on location, experience, and company. In major tech hubs, both can exceed these ranges.
Difficulty and Study Time
CCNA
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard. Covers a broad range of networking topics, including CLI configuration, subnetting, and troubleshooting.
- Study time: 200–300 hours for a beginner with no networking background.
- Exam: 120 minutes, 100–120 questions, includes simulations (lab-based scenarios).
- Pass rate: ~70% for first-time takers.
Security+
- Difficulty: Moderate. More conceptual and memorization-based than CCNA.
- Study time: 100–150 hours for a motivated beginner.
- Exam: 90 minutes, up to 90 questions (multiple choice and performance-based).
- Pass rate: ~82% for first-time takers.
Bottom line: Security+ is faster and easier to pass. CCNA requires deeper hands-on practice, especially with subnetting and Cisco IOS commands.
Which Should You Get First? A Decision Matrix
Use this matrix based on your primary goal:
| Your Goal | Recommended First Cert | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Become a network engineer | CCNA | Networking roles require CCNA; Security+ is secondary. |
| Get into cybersecurity | Security+ | Faster path to SOC roles; CCNA is helpful but not required. |
| Land a general IT job (help desk, support) | Security+ | Broader appeal, easier to pass, DoD compliance. |
| Work for a Cisco shop or ISP | CCNA | Vendor-specific requirement; Security+ can wait. |
| Government or defense contractor | Security+ | DoD 8570 mandates it; CCNA is optional. |
| Build a long-term career in network security | CCNA first, then Security+ | Deep networking knowledge is essential for advanced security roles. |
Pro tip: If you’re undecided, start with Security+. It’s quicker, less expensive, and gives you a credential while you decide if you want to dive deeper into networking.
Study Resources and Certification Costs
CCNA
- Exam fee: $300 (USD)
- Official resources: Cisco Press CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide (Odom)
- Labs: Packet Tracer, GNS3, or real gear (used Cisco switches/routers)
- Practice tests: Boson ExSim, Courseiva practice questions
Security+
- Exam fee: $392 (USD)
- Official resources: CompTIA Security+ Study Guide (Gibson or Dulaney)
- Labs: TryHackMe, CyberSec Labs, or virtual labs
- Practice tests: Professor Messer, Courseiva practice questions
Cost note: Security+ exam is more expensive, but you’ll likely spend less on training materials and time.
Common Misconceptions
“Security+ is easier, so it’s less valuable.”
Not true. Security+ is easier because it’s broader and less deep. It’s still highly valued, especially for entry-level security roles and government jobs.
“You need CCNA before Security+.”
No. They cover different domains. Many people get Security+ first and later add CCNA.
“CCNA is only for Cisco environments.”
Partly true, but the concepts (OSI model, routing protocols, VLANs) are universal. Even if you never touch a Cisco device, CCNA teaches transferable networking skills.
Takeaway: Your Next Step
If you’re a beginner, your decision comes down to your career destination. Networking roles demand CCNA. Security roles demand Security+. For general IT, Security+ is the safer bet because it’s faster and more versatile.
My recommendation for most beginners:
- If you have 3–6 months and want to specialize in networking → CCNA
- If you have 2–3 months and want a quick credential for security or general IT → Security+
- If you want both (ideal for network security) → Security+ first, then CCNA
Whichever path you choose, practice tests are essential. They reveal gaps in your knowledge and build exam confidence. Check out Courseiva’s CCNA and Security+ practice question banks—designed to mirror real exam difficulty and help you pass on the first try.
Ready to start studying? Head to Courseiva.com and take a free practice quiz today.