CompTIA Security+ vs Network+: Which Should You Take First?

"Should I take Security+ or Network+ first?" is one of the most searched questions by people starting their CompTIA journey — and for good reason. Both certifications are widely respected, both are DoD 8140 approved, and both will boost your IT career. So why does the order matter, and which one do you start with?

The frustrating answer you'll find on most forums: "it depends." That's not wrong — but it's also not helpful on its own. The real answer is specific, and it depends on exactly two things: where you're starting from, and where you're trying to go. This guide breaks it down so you can make the call in five minutes and get back to studying.

Quick Answer

Don't bury the answer — here it is upfront:

If you want more context before committing to that answer, read on. The reasoning matters, especially if you're planning to get both certifications (which most people do).

The Key Differences

Security+ and Network+ cover fundamentally different territory. They're not competing certifications — they complement each other. Understanding what each one actually tests makes the sequencing decision obvious.

The key line in that table: Security+ recommends two years of IT experience. That's not a hard requirement — you won't be turned away from the exam — but it reflects what the exam actually tests. Security+ assumes you already understand how networks work. If you don't, you'll spend extra time just understanding the context of security concepts, not just the concepts themselves.

Who Should Take Security+ First

For most people with any IT background at all, Security+ first is the right call. Here's the profile:

• You already have networking experience. If you've worked helpdesk, sysadmin, or any IT support role — even just a year or two — you've been exposed to networking concepts in practice. You don't need a certification to prove what you already know. Jump straight to the cert with higher market value.
• You're targeting government or military IT. Security+ is a mandatory baseline requirement under DoD 8140 (formerly 8570) for information assurance roles. Network+ doesn't replace it. If a government contract or federal agency job is your target, Security+ is non-negotiable and it should be your first priority.
• You want faster salary impact. The cybersecurity skills gap is real and persistent. Security+ opens doors to roles that pay significantly more than networking support positions. If monetizing your certification investment as fast as possible matters, Security+ is the faster path.
• You're transitioning from IT support or helpdesk. Helpdesk and support roles expose you to real-world networking: VLANs, firewalls, VPNs, DNS, DHCP — the exact concepts Security+ builds on. You may have more networking knowledge than you think.

Who Should Take Network+ First

If you're genuinely starting from scratch, Network+ first isn't the slow path — it's the smart one. Security+ will be harder than it needs to be if you hit it without networking fundamentals, and hard in the wrong way: not conceptually challenging, but terminologically unfamiliar.

• You're completely new to IT. No prior experience, no coursework, no exposure to how networks work. Security+ PBQs will ask you to configure firewalls, set up VPN tunnels, and read network logs — none of which makes intuitive sense without understanding subnets, routing, and protocols first.
• You struggled with networking topics in A+. If you sat through A+ content and found the networking sections abstract or confusing, that's a signal. Network+ addresses those topics comprehensively. Trying to skip past them into Security+ means those gaps will resurface at the worst possible time — in a PBQ.
• You want a solid foundation before tackling security. Security isn't a layer on top of nothing — it's a layer on top of networking. Firewalls protect networks. VPNs tunnel through networks. Intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic. Understanding the underlying infrastructure makes every security concept click faster.

The "Both" Path — Why Order Still Matters

Most people who start with one of these certifications end up getting both. The question isn't just "which cert do I want?" — it's "what's the most efficient sequence for someone planning to hold both?"

Taking Network+ before Security+ creates compounding benefits:

• Security+ PBQs become faster to prepare for. Network+ PBQs test subnetting, CLI commands, and network diagrams. That's the exact background knowledge Security+ PBQs assume. When you already know how to subnet and navigate a CLI, Security+ PBQ preparation focuses on the security layer — not re-learning the networking layer underneath it.
• You won't re-learn content you half-understood the first time. Studying Security+ without Network+ sometimes means building on shaky foundations. Candidates frequently report going back to re-study networking concepts mid-Security+ prep. Doing Network+ first eliminates that backtrack.
• The combined study timeline is shorter. Counter-intuitive but true: studying Network+ then Security+ can take less total time than studying Security+ alone, because you're not fighting foundational confusion. Clean foundations mean faster absorption of the security layer on top.

What About A+ First?

If you have absolutely zero IT background, the traditional CompTIA path is A+ → Network+ → Security+. A+ covers hardware, operating systems, and basic IT support fundamentals. It gives you the vocabulary and mental model that makes Network+ material feel like a natural extension rather than a foreign language.

That said, A+ is optional — not a prerequisite. Plenty of people skip it entirely and go straight to Network+ or even Security+ with no issues. If you've already absorbed some IT knowledge through coursework, self-study, or work experience, you probably don't need A+. If you genuinely can't tell the difference between RAM and storage, or you don't know what an IP address is, A+ is worth considering before Network+.

For most people reading this comparison: A+ is probably optional. The real question remains Network+ vs Security+ as your entry point.

PBQ Comparison — Where GetCertLab Comes In

Both exams include performance-based questions (PBQs) — the interactive, hands-on scenarios that consistently trip up candidates who prepared exclusively from textbooks and video courses. Understanding how the PBQs differ between the two exams matters for how you study.

Security+ PBQs test configuration and analysis. You'll be asked to configure firewall ACL rules to match a given policy, set up VPN tunnel parameters (IKE version, encryption, hashing), analyze log outputs to identify attacks, manage PKI certificate chains, and place security components correctly in cloud architecture diagrams. These require not just knowing what these technologies do, but being able to operate them — or at least simulate doing so convincingly under time pressure.

Network+ PBQs test setup and troubleshooting. You'll be asked to subnet IP address ranges and assign them correctly, place routers, switches, and access points in topology diagrams, interpret CLI output from ping, tracert, ipconfig, and netstat to diagnose connectivity issues, configure VLANs and trunk ports, and set up wireless networks with correct security parameters. These are more procedural — and they're exactly the skills that make Security+ PBQ prep faster once you have them.

Both exam types require hands-on practice, not just reading. A candidate who has worked through real subnetting problems and configured real firewall rules — even in a simulated environment — will outperform a candidate who only studied theory, every time.

Conclusion

The Security+ vs Network+ debate has a clear answer once you know your starting point. No IT background: Network+ first, build the foundation, then Security+. Existing IT experience: Security+ first, maximize your earning potential faster. Targeting government or DoD roles: Security+ first, period — it's a job requirement, not a preference.

If you're getting both — and you probably should — sequencing matters for efficiency. Network+ before Security+ reduces total study time and makes PBQ prep on Security+ significantly easier. It's the smarter path for most beginners, even if Security+ carries the bigger career payoff.

Whichever exam you start with, the PBQs will be your biggest challenge. They're not tested by reading — they're tested by doing. Grab a free sample from the Security+ PBQ Lab Guide or the Network+ PBQ Lab Guide and see what hands-on preparation actually looks like before exam day.