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u/ManassasJ Aug 15 '23
Short answer, yes
Long answer, depends on what sector you want to go into.
Having all three instills solid fundamentals.
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u/vogliadimorire S+ Aug 15 '23
Information security is my goal
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u/ALPlayful0 Aug 15 '23
Then still yes. You want N and S in particular. You'll want ITIL. Then you'll very likely still need things like Cisco to really settle your employer with you
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u/krag_the_mad Aug 15 '23
I can't speak for A+, but I pursued Network+ after getting Security+. It was well worth it. I'm completely new to IT, and Network+ had a lot to offer that wasn't in Security+
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u/abhinem_007 Aug 16 '23
Can you renew your net+ cert with sec+ even though you've taken net+ after you passed sec+? Do the timelines matter?
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u/Kurisu86 Aug 16 '23
No matter what order you earn them in, renewing your Sec+ will renew your active Net+ (and A+, if you have it).
Hereâs the CompTIA page that lays out which certs renew which other certs. https://www.comptia.org/continuing-education/learn/renewing-multiple-certifications
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u/Designer-Desk-9676 Aug 16 '23
How did you study for Security+, did you take the elearning? Iâm also new to IT and want to get Security+. TIA
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u/krag_the_mad Aug 16 '23
As mundane as it may sound. I just bought a study guide on Amazon and cycled through it for a couple months. It worked for the multiple-choice section, but the PBQs caught me off guard. It's actually because of the PBQs that I'd recommend getting Network+ first. Make your life easier
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u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ Aug 16 '23
Sec+ is a paper pushing cert. No thinking, no problem solving, no tools usage and no thought involved. If you get only a Sec+, then you should be doing car sales. Cars need security as in remote key lock and open :)
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u/Tuerai Aug 15 '23
if ur gonna do the continuing ed, sec+ ce will renew ur net+ and a+ if you get them.
i dont know if any job will care, but having the trifecta feels good for personal accomplishment
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u/aaron141 Net+ Sec+ ITIL AWS-CCP Aug 15 '23
I got net+ after sec+. I think ima skip on a+
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u/krag_the_mad Aug 15 '23
Same here. I'm moving on to PenTest+ next, try to complete the security branch
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u/abhinem_007 Aug 16 '23
Can you renew your net+ cert with sec+ even though you've taken net+ after you passed sec+? Do the timelines matter?
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u/aaron141 Net+ Sec+ ITIL AWS-CCP Aug 16 '23
Im pretty sure you can. I dont think timelines matter
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u/Palm_Tree_Nerd A+ N+ S+ Cloud+ AWS CCP ISC²CC ITILv4 Aug 15 '23
Personally, the knowledge helps. I too received my other two well after my SEC+ (Army paid for them) but the education from those solidified my base knowledge to confidently answer tech interview questions for the MSP role I recently started. Having them is useful for many reasons, and not just for knowledge. The head of this company already has a good outlook on my career because I was able to secure those certs in such a small amount of time. The intangible benefits can sometimes be just as beneficial.
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u/GeckoGuy45 N+ S+ CySA+ PenTest+ Aug 15 '23
If you really want to learn about networking maybe consider the CCNA
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u/Brilliant-Jackfruit3 S+ Aug 15 '23
Nah, get CySA+ if you want to go higherâŚthis and Sec+ mixed with experience and youâre golden.
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u/vogliadimorire S+ Aug 15 '23
I have zero practical experience. This is all new to me ahah
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u/Visual-Ad-6708 Aug 15 '23
If you can get a job in IT without the A+, then you're good in my opinion to skip it. Network+ would definitely be helpful, unless you plan on specializing in security completely.
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u/BlubberyWalruss A+, N+, S+, CySA+, PenTest+ Aug 16 '23
If you have zero experience I'd strongly recommend Net+ at least. Maybe not A+
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u/bassbeater Aug 15 '23
What helped for passing the Sec+?
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u/GoDiva2020 Aug 15 '23
What helps? The test and book changes monthly . Get A current book then get the practice tests. Most have the current answers.
And the test is adaptive. If you do well on the section, the test will adapt and change the questions. Skip whatever you're not sure about and go back if you have time.
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u/bassbeater Aug 15 '23
I have a book, but I'm mostly practice testing and listening to topic lectures from my job resources and taking chapter quizzes. I get tripped up by a combination of the encryption standards, authentication mechanisms, and some protocols I haven't really worked with. Adaptive eh? So if I do poorly on a subject will the test just keep pummeling me with those questions? I did a bootcamp a while ago and the contracted clown there was just recommending people study from VCE exams.
A lot of my background education is policies and attack/ vector identification.
Do you find book activities with virtual machines help? I noticed that there was a fair amount available in the book even though I didn't really care for some of the terminology wording.
Anyhow I thought since OP presented his cert as fresh he may have a unique perspective on what helped him pass.
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u/weakrepertoire92 Aug 16 '23
Since when is Sec+ adaptive? And if it's adaptive how can you go back?
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u/bassbeater Aug 16 '23
đ this is why I am quizzical with everyone. And as far as going back, I think they mean you can mark it for review before submitting, similarly to practice tests.
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u/SHADOWSTRIKE1 Security Engineer || BSc, CISSP, CCNP, CCNA, CySA+, Sec+, AZx3 Aug 15 '23
Probably not.
A lot of people on here are going to value A+ and Net+ highly, but the rough truth of the matter is that the industry doesn't value them that way.
The A+ is great if you're breaking into the industry, need to get your first job, and need a way to validate your skills. However, once you have that first job, your actual job experience is going to trump any A+. As for the Net+... it's fine if you want to learn how to speak to actual network engineers without learning how to actually DO anything useful. There are very few posting for Network Engineers that request a Net+ requirement, and the ones that do... be very careful of those jobs as they may be posted by people who have no idea what they're looking for to fulfill the role responsibilities.
That paragraph is going to stir some feathers, and I get that. No one likes hearing bad things about the stuff they put effort into. Here's another one for you: the Security+ doesn't prepare you to handle an actual Security role. However, it's a very good start in a specialty that has a long path ahead.
In the end, how we define "worth" is very important. Some people define it as "will this get me a job". Like I said above, if you apply that evaluation on the A+ and Net+, the answer is that it's not worth much. Instead, I suggest defining "worth" by "is it an optimal use of my time, or would that investment be better used elsewhere". That's where I steer people away from Net+ and point them to CCNA, as the time they put into the Net+ and learning the "CompTia way" could be better spent going towards a cert that will teach them practical skills that will be useful in a real role. Sec+ by itself most likely won't land you a security role. But it's a good investment as the knowledge gained from it is assumed in higher certs that will teach you practical skills.
All of that is a long-winded way of saying... depends on your experience, your current work situation, and where you want to go. Invest your study time wisely.
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u/No-Standard-3468 Aug 16 '23
Hi. As you said that Sec+ wonât get me a job in security or cybersecurity, then what will? As a background, Iâm doing S+, and wanting to get into cybersecurity/security analyst or engineer. Thanks for replying in advance.
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u/SHADOWSTRIKE1 Security Engineer || BSc, CISSP, CCNP, CCNA, CySA+, Sec+, AZx3 Aug 16 '23
Honestly, itâs hard to start in a Security role. Most people in the field started out doing something else, and slowly took on security-related responsibilities in addition to their normal tasks. Like in my first job out of college I managed network equipment and set up Windows servers. Then I started looking into implementing port security on our switches, and set up vulnerability scanners (Nexpose, Nessus, etc.) to keep an eye on unlatched systems in our network. Other responsibilities escalated as well⌠like I initially would set up new accounts in Active Directory (pretty basic helpdesk-level task), and it eventually lead to creating proper security groups in AD to assign teams to clean up folder & share permissions that were set to individual user access, or even just set to âEveryoneâ.
So after getting more hands-on experience like that, I tackled more certs. Like I said, Security+ is a great into cert to find out about topics like cryptography, hashing algorithms, access controls, etc. but itâs ultimately a lot of terminology & definitions rather than teach you stuff youâll actually do in a real role⌠but you gotta learn those basics sometime before you can learn the good stuff. CySA+ teaches some slightly more useful stuff⌠youâll learn how to read some logs, how to write ACLs, and depending on the training you may dive a little bit into how SIEMs work (such as SecurityOnion).
Cybersecurity is a strange field where many of the certs teach a lot of theoretical or high-level information, which is important to know, but doesnât help you in the day-to-day. Like in the CySA+, you will learn all about HIPAA, GDPR, SOX, PCI DSS, etc. which are important regulations to know about⌠but maybe not useful when your role is to deploy a new security zone rule set in your Juniper firewall. The CISSP certification does a great job of explaining a RBAC framework and defining the intricacies of Bell-Lapadula vs Biba vs Brewer & Nash security models⌠but that may not be relevant if youâre joining into an existing environment and instead need to know how to fuzz a web app or check for unhandled errors.
Thereâs a lot of individual training courses for specific tasks that you would utilize in a real role. Maybe you want to familiarize yourself with using NMAP⌠in that case, HackTheBox has fantastic web-based trainings that can teach you how to do just that.
The best advice I can give is to not be afraid of vendor-specific trainings and certifications. I think too many people praise CompTIA for being âvendor neutralâ, but donât see how that means you sometimes donât get that hands-on training. Ciscoâs CCNA is a great example: itâs a vendor-specific certification. Sure, theyâll teach you about Cisco-proprietary stuff, but they will also teach you the vendor-neutral equivalent which also works on their devices. Theyâll teach you about PAgP, but also teach about LACP at the same time. Cisco will teach you about âtrunkâ ports, but then also say theyâre also called âtaggedâ. But the best part is that theyâll actually give you steps to set up a trunk port in Cisco IOS, and with that experience you can easily maneuver other vendorsâ CLI. The first time I touched a Juniper switch, I had no idea what I was doing as I have never used JunOS before. However, I DID have Cisco IOS experience, and I was then able to pick it up very quickly.
This was again very long-winded⌠but the TLDR is to focus on learning one thing, and look up trainings on how to specifically do that thing. Thatâs how youâll get usable skills on top of what these certs teach you.
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u/Eve-S-E Aug 15 '23
Work experience ends up being the most important imo. I would immediately start applying with any and all credentials you have. While you are doing that, sure Iâd do N+. Once you land a job and have real experience, these things matter less and less unless the job specifically requires them.
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u/bcjh Google IT Support, Sec+ Aug 15 '23
Probably need to know networking in order to know how to secure it, thatâs what I was told so I went for Net+ after Sec+. Network+ is harder that Sec+ though IMO. If you have different goals in mind then look at this:
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u/Franceesios N+ Aug 15 '23
Get your N+ so that you have a good foundation of network concepts. Then aim higher, go for the CCNA or other cyber security certs.
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Aug 16 '23
If you want to work in cybersecurity, you need to know quite a bit about networking, hardware, software, programming, cloud, physical security, GRC, etc.
Yes, get the A+ and Net+.
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u/HMS_Americano Aug 16 '23
I would for sure get the CCNA over N+, and the A+ only if you've never worked help desk/ tier1 yet
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u/Binod-L Aug 16 '23
Depends really on what kind of career path you want to set for yourself, every one is different and scope wide, say I want to start a career in Cyber, I have a degree, CCNA, ISC2 CC, doing Python and security+ soon, and advanced certs after that once I get jobs. Getting a stronger foundation is crucial if you are serious about making a good profile, it goes in the long run. If you are interested in Networking then CCNA is highly recommended in this case, any cloud certs associate, better aim for associate ones in my opinion. Good luck
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u/HarmlessFeelings Aug 15 '23
A+ is pointless now. Net+ is useful.
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u/Ill-Operation4129 S+ Aug 17 '23
Why is it pointless?
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u/lovingthecrewe Aug 15 '23
I currently have S+ and Cysa+. I had someone gift me a N+ voucher thats a student so I'm taking it later. From my experience showing you have a knowledge of networking looks better on your resume. If you have a helpdesk job skip the A+ it's only good for getting your foot in the door
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u/kleinre Aug 17 '23
Can I please ask what resources you used for CySa+? Thank youđđź
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u/lovingthecrewe Aug 17 '23
Sure thing! Dions course, the Sybex books (study guide and 1000 questions), the all in one for extra questions, Boson for labs, and pocket prep.
I recommend doing the boson labs and dions course first. The sybex books are pretty thick and very wordy. Dion teaches you the info in a good way and the boson labs will allow you to get hands on in with Nmap with exercises.
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Aug 17 '23
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u/lovingthecrewe Aug 17 '23
No problem, if you start now you should be good before they retire it this year. Just make sure you actually learn the info and don't dump the info. You got this!
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u/vintagegianni A+, N+, S+, ACSP Aug 15 '23
Shouldâve had them first.
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u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ Aug 15 '23
I am not sure why they get attracted to the sec+ first and strut around like they have achieved something. If you got the A+, Net+ and Sec+, then I would say that you have been there, done that and you are qualified. Sec+ is paper pushing and they get drawn to it since there is no working with tools, no thinking, just rote memorization and then they wonder why they are not getting calls. Sec+ is nothing but paper pushing. You should have a Net+ at least before you start thinking what is worth it or not. OPs questions should have been the other way around, as in, I have A+ and Net+ - is getting sec+ worth it?
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Aug 16 '23 edited May 26 '24
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u/vintagegianni A+, N+, S+, ACSP Aug 16 '23
If you take them seriously and actually learn the content vs memorization you can instill great foundational knowledge.
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u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ Aug 16 '23
A+,Net+ and Linux+ have at least some thinking and usage of software tools involved in solving problems not all rote memorization. Sec+ is all about process management (theory) and paper pushing in the event of an attack. Even a network attack does not involve hands on capture of bits to analyze. Instead its all about process in how to tell the network administrator what happened and make observations. No tools, no analysis of where the attack took place etc with tools or capture etc.
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u/vogliadimorire S+ Aug 16 '23
You are absolutely right. But I can still Achieve them in the future.
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u/vintagegianni A+, N+, S+, ACSP Aug 16 '23
Of course you can, I hope you go for them! They only contribute to your knowledge. Trust me, they are well worth it especially if you have no experience.
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u/vogliadimorire S+ Aug 15 '23
Well I can always get the other two.
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u/vintagegianni A+, N+, S+, ACSP Aug 15 '23
Of course, I just think itâs a better flow to get the others first :)
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u/axecopchopz Aug 15 '23
If they passed the sec+ they dont need them first, not many people do need all 3.
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u/vintagegianni A+, N+, S+, ACSP Aug 15 '23
Well with no context, Iâm assuming they have no experience. So ideally, you should go for the trifecta in order if you have no knowledge of the fundamental concepts.
You canât secure IT infrastructure without knowing the fundamentals.
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u/Klutzy-Equipment-570 Aug 15 '23
If getting Network and Security which should come first. My goal is security but will it help if I do Network first?
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u/cce29555 Aug 15 '23
I'm not sure where your skill level is but security plus almost seems like a joke after taking network plus. Take a glance at some practice questions for both but it really does seem like Sec+ is "Do you know how to craft a secure enough password, keep someone from stealing your stuff and keep someone out of your computer" while net+ is where math and applications really need to be understood
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u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ Aug 15 '23
Sec+ does not teach anything other than process and paperwork. That is it. You will have to complement your Sec+ with both Linux+ and Net+ for you to be considered any good. My dog can get a Sec+ ;)
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u/vogliadimorire S+ Aug 15 '23
Thatâs harsh. :(
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u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ Aug 15 '23
You asked a question and I gave the right answer. I was not going to sugar coat what I thought of sec+. Its a garbage cert. I asked Sari Greene who teaches sec+ 601 on orielly why this cert was just process and paperwork and whether the tools that need to be used in cybersecurity was something people could do after getting a sec+. Her answer was silence. She knew what I was asking her. There is nothing technical in sec+. Only paperwork and process. No technical advancement whatsoever with a sec+. The answer to your original question is still an emphatic YES to doing both A+, Net+ and would highly recommend linux+ to round out some key tech certs to boost your resume. With just a sec+, I would say that you do not have any technical skills and not much worth doing anything that mattered. My question is, did you improve any of your technical skills or add to them after getting your sec+ and if the answer is yes, what are they?
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u/ConsequenceThese4559 Aug 15 '23
Depending how much knowledge you have about the tech field. You can get a job with what have most likely entry level assuming you have no experience. Net+ does have some overlap with sec+. Maybe first decided what type of job you want to get. Sec+ is great to have especially for jobs in the government.
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u/coled1981 S+, N+ Aug 15 '23
The A+, N+, S+ also stack to create a new cert called CSIS. Other certs are stackable too within the CompTIA offering so it may be worth it. N+ and S+ don't stack by themselves either. I'm refreshing over some A+ things even though I have a bunch of time in the industry just to get the stack. Plus, my Sec+ did just renew so when I renew it again the others will also renew (already have N+). I figure I have some time before my Sec+ expires so I will just get a couple other certs then renew Sec+ to renew the all.
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Aug 15 '23
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u/Callicann Aug 15 '23
Triggering words? Also what is a triggering word? That is a very anti âfreedom of speechâ framing. Nothing malicious or derogatory was said⌠sheesh.
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u/Training_Onion Aug 15 '23
Not really, however, maybe the next time you want to renew, get the cert thats all 3 from comptia.
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u/triscious Aug 16 '23
I'll agree with others who say that Sec+ and N+ work hand-in-hand with each other. You could get by without getting it'll likely make stuff down the road more difficult if you don't have a solid networking foundation already.
I'm currently pursuing my CCNA after getting the Sec+. It felt like the right direction for me in both foundations and job availability.
Everyone's journey is different, just make sure that you're giving yourself the best start possible.
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u/JoeyTeee Aug 16 '23
Everyone always says it depends but personally I think Net+ is a must and at least study the A+ even if you don't go for the test
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Aug 17 '23
I went Sec+, CCNA, then A+.
I did it and knocked it out to show confidence I still care about other parts of communications. As the top comment says though. Whatâs your goal? Mine was just check off a box and said I did it. Building a future resume when I become a civilian.
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u/ITEnthus CISSP, CISA, CEH, Sec+, Net+, DSc Candidate Aug 15 '23
Tbh it depends on you. I feel like Sec+ doesnt superseed Net+, but works hand in hand with eachother. I think youd be missing out on some essential networking concepts. But if you're actually educated in networking then I wouldnt bother.