Is CompTIA Security+ Worth It? 5 Reasons Why

Is CompTIA Security+ Worth It? 5 Reasons Why

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification for cybersecurity professionals. When you earn this entry-level certification, you demonstrate to current and potential employers your knowledge of foundational skills and best practices required for cybersecurity roles.

The topics covered on the exam carry over to many higher-level certifications you may decide to pursue in the future. Popular intermediate-level certifications include CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) and CompTIA PenTest+.

1. Computer and IT jobs are growing faster than average.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Services reports that jobs in the computer and information technology field should grow by 15%, creating nearly 700,000 jobs from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than the average expected for all jobs during the same period. In addition, the median wage for these jobs was $97,430 as of May 2021.

Cybersecurity job opportunities, in particular, will likely increase. According to IBM’s 2022 data breach report, the global cost of a data breach is more than $4 million. In the United States, that number nearly doubles. Companies need solutions to protect their data, customers, and profits. If CompTIA Security+ opens employment opportunities for you, it can be worth the time and money you invest to earn the certification.

2. CompTIA Security+ may help you get a sought-after cybersecurity job

Yes, CompTIA Security+ can be enough training to get a job, but this is ultimately the decision of the company hiring you. Some companies may expect additional training or require a degree, so you may find it helpful to review job postings to identify the types of training and skills they are looking for.

Having CompTIA Security+ certification may help you get the following jobs:

• Junior IT auditor/penetration tester
• Network administrator
• Systems administrator
• Security administrator
• Security consultant
• Security engineer
• Security specialist

---

---

3. CompTIA Security+ isn’t hard to earn if you have experience.

Some people find the CompTIA Security+ exam challenging, while others easily pass on the first try. How hard or easy it is depends on several factors like your job experience and education background. If you’ve already been working in the field or have earned other certifications, the CompTIA Security+ exam may seem easy because you have experience with the content you see on the exam.

The test questions cover a broad range of topics, which means you have to remember a considerable amount of information on test day. This can feel intimidating when you consider you have to answer 90 multiple choice and scenario-based questions in 90 minutes. That’s one minute per question, so you need to be able to recall information quickly and apply it to the scenarios presented in the questions.

4. CompTIA Security+ has plenty of test prep materials available to help you study.

Fortunately, you have access to plenty of test prep materials from CompTIA and third-party vendors. CompTIA offers eLearning programs, virtual labs, study guides, and other exam prep materials. You also have the option to take preparation courses from trained instructors.

Individuals who have earned CompTIA A+ or Network+ certifications tend to feel more comfortable taking the CompTIA Security+ exam because they are already familiar with the types of questions they see. Ultimately, the best way to judge the exam’s difficulty is by reviewing some practice questions available. Then you can decide how much preparation work you need to do before exam day.

5. CompTIA Security+ is suitable for beginners.

The CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification for beginners. It has no prerequisites, so you can take it as soon as you feel ready for the exam. If you have a computer science degree or have taken cybersecurity courses in the past, you may have the foundational knowledge needed to earn the certification.

However, some experts recommend earning other certifications first, including A+ and Network+, if you have no in-field job experience or relation education or training. It is possible to pass the exam on your first try without any cybersecurity training or certifications, but this is the exception and not the rule for most people.

The Final Take

Whether you’re starting your career as a cybersecurity professional or preparing to transition into a new role, the CompTIA Security+ certification may give your career plans a boost. CompTIA remains an industry leader, and companies around the world continue to trust its certification programs.

Depending on where you are in your career path, CompTIA Security+ may be the logical certification to pursue. If you choose to take the exam, give yourself plenty of time to prepare for it and make sure you understand the concepts tested on the exam and how they work in the real world. To help solidify your decision, check out our blog post the CompTIA Security+ Salary.