Do You Need A+ or Network+ Before Security+? What CompTIA Actually Recommends
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You do not need A+ or Network+ before taking Security+. CompTIA's SY0-701 page recommends Network+ and two years of experience in a security or systems administrator role, but it lists no prerequisite certification and does not mention A+. The real question is whether you have the networking foundation the exam assumes. This guide explains what CompTIA recommends, how to test your own readiness in a few minutes and which path fits your background. The decision table is our own reasoning and not official CompTIA guidance.
What CompTIA Actually Recommends
CompTIA's SY0-701 page lists the recommended experience as "CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience working in a security/systems administrator job role." Two things follow from that wording. First, CompTIA names Network+, not A+. Second, it is a recommendation about experience, not a list of prerequisites. Nothing on CompTIA's Security+ page says you must hold another certification before you can sit the exam.
Do You Need A+ First?
No, and CompTIA does not recommend it on the Security+ page. A+ covers hardware, operating systems and basic troubleshooting for IT support roles. It can be a useful starting point if you have never worked in IT, but it is a career-path choice, not a Security+ requirement. If you already support computers and users, you probably have most of what A+ teaches.
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Do You Need Network+ First?
It depends on your networking background. Security+ assumes you understand IP addressing, common ports and protocols and how traffic moves across a network, because many questions describe an attack or a control in network terms. If you are comfortable with that, you can go straight to Security+. If networking is your weak spot, Network+ builds the foundation CompTIA recommends.
| Your background | Reasonable path |
|---|---|
| Work in IT with networking experience | Go straight to Security+ |
| Some IT exposure but shaky on networking | Network+ first, or study networking alongside Security+ |
| No IT experience | Consider A+ and Network+ as a base, or begin with Security+ and plan extra time for fundamentals |
The table is our reasoning, not CompTIA guidance.
How to Check Your Own Readiness
Before you decide, try a quick self-test. If you can explain the OSI model, subnet a simple IPv4 network, name the common ports for web, email and remote access, and describe what a firewall and a VPN do, you have the networking base Security+ expects. If not, our Network+ objectives guide shows what to learn, and our Security+ study plan shows how to schedule it.
Going Straight to Security+ With No Experience
Many people do. It means planning more time for fundamentals, using practice questions early to find gaps and being patient with unfamiliar vocabulary. CompTIA does not publish pass rates or study-time figures, so there is no official number for how long a beginner needs. Use our ten sample Security+ practice questions to see where you stand today.
The bottom line
Neither A+ nor Network+ is required. Network+ is the one CompTIA recommends, and it matters most if your networking is weak. Test yourself on addressing, ports and protocols, and start with whichever certification matches the gaps you find.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need A+ before Security+?
No. CompTIA does not list A+ as a prerequisite or recommend it on the Security+ SY0-701 page. A+ is a reasonable starting point for people new to IT support, but it is a career choice and not a requirement for Security+.
Do I need Network+ before Security+?
No, it is not required. CompTIA's SY0-701 page recommends Network+ and two years of experience in a security or systems administrator role. If you already understand networking, you can start with Security+ directly.
Can I take Security+ with no IT experience?
Yes, CompTIA does not require experience to sit the exam. The recommended experience is a signal about how the questions are written, so beginners should plan extra time for fundamentals and use practice questions to find gaps early.
What does CompTIA recommend for Security+?
For SY0-701, CompTIA's page lists CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience working in a security or systems administrator job role. For SY0-801, CompTIA's V8 page recommends two years of hands-on experience as a security administrator.
Which should I take first, Network+ or Security+?
If your networking is weak, Network+ first builds the base Security+ assumes. If you already understand IP addressing, ports and protocols, you can start with Security+. See our guide to which CompTIA certification to take first for a decision table.
Is Security+ an entry-level certification?
CompTIA positions it as a foundational security certification, but its recommended experience of two years in a security or systems administrator role means many candidates have prior IT experience. Plenty of people still take it earlier in their careers.
How long should I study for Security+ if I am a beginner?
CompTIA does not publish a recommended study time or a pass rate, so any hour count is unofficial. A 90 day plan with regular practice questions is a common structure for beginners, and our study plan guide shows how to split the days by domain.
Sources & references
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