CompTIA Network+ N10-009 and Security+ SY0-701: Which Exam Should You Take First?
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- September 07th, 2026
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CompTIA Network+ and Security+ are two of the most recognized certifications for IT professionals building skills in networking, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. As both exams continue to play an important role in CompTIA's certification pathway, candidates are increasingly looking at how N10-009 networking knowledge can support preparation for SY0-701 security topics. Studying these two exams together can also make preparation more efficient because many security scenarios become easier to understand once you have a solid foundation in networking.
As of 2026, N10-009 remains the current CompTIA Network+ exam, while SY0-701 remains the current CompTIA Security+ exam. Although they are separate certifications with different objectives, they fit naturally into the same IT skills path: Network+ focuses on how networks are designed, implemented, operated, secured, and troubleshot, while Security+ takes security concepts much further into threats, architecture, security operations, risk, and governance.
How Do Network+ N10-009 and Security+ SY0-701 Fit Together?
The easiest way to understand the relationship is to think of Network+ as building knowledge of the infrastructure that Security+ teaches you to protect.
A candidate studying N10-009 learns how devices communicate, how networks are segmented, how routing and switching work, how wireless and cloud networking are implemented, and how connectivity problems are diagnosed. Security+ SY0-701 then applies security principles to many of those same environments, asking candidates to identify threats, select security controls, protect infrastructure, monitor activity, and respond to incidents.
A practical certification path can therefore look like this:
IT Fundamentals → Networking Skills → Network+ N10-009 → Security Fundamentals → Security+ SY0-701 → Advanced Cybersecurity Certifications
Network+ is not a mandatory prerequisite for Security+. Candidates with strong networking experience can move directly to Security+. However, CompTIA's recommended experience for Security+ includes Network+ knowledge together with security or systems administration experience, making N10-009 a particularly useful foundation for candidates who are still developing their infrastructure skills.
N10-009 vs SY0-701 Exam Comparison
| Exam Detail | CompTIA Network+ N10-009 | CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | CompTIA Network+ | CompTIA Security+ |
| Current Exam Code | N10-009 | SY0-701 |
| Primary Focus | Networking and infrastructure | Cybersecurity |
| Maximum Questions | 90 | 90 |
| Exam Length | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Question Types | Multiple-choice and performance-based | Multiple-choice and performance-based |
| Passing Score | 720 on a 100–900 scale | 750 on a 100–900 scale |
| Recommended Background | 9–12 months of networking experience | Network+ knowledge plus security/system administration experience |
| Best For | Network support, infrastructure and junior networking roles | Security, systems administration and cybersecurity roles |
The exam formats look similar, but the questions require different types of thinking. N10-009 frequently asks candidates to determine how networks operate or why something has stopped working. SY0-701 places more emphasis on determining what introduces security risk, which control should be implemented, and how an organization should respond to a security event.
What Does the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Exam Cover?
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 measures five major areas of networking knowledge.
| N10-009 Domain | Weight | What You Need to Understand |
|---|---|---|
| Networking Concepts | 23% | OSI model, protocols, ports, IP addressing, network devices, cloud and networking technologies |
| Network Implementation | 20% | Routing, switching, wireless technologies and network deployment |
| Network Operations | 19% | Monitoring, documentation, high availability, disaster recovery and operational procedures |
| Network Security | 14% | Network attacks, security controls, access methods, segmentation and network hardening |
| Network Troubleshooting | 24% | Connectivity, performance, cabling, wireless and network service troubleshooting |
Network Troubleshooting is the largest N10-009 domain at 24%, closely followed by Networking Concepts at 23%. Together they account for 47% of the exam, making network fundamentals and practical problem solving especially important areas of preparation.
This is also where the connection to Security+ begins. N10-009 already introduces candidates to firewalls, IDS/IPS technologies, VPNs, network segmentation, access controls, attacks, and network hardening. Security+ takes many of those concepts and examines them from a broader cybersecurity perspective.
What Does the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Exam Cover?
CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 also contains five domains, but its focus moves from operating infrastructure to protecting users, systems, applications, and organizational information.
| SY0-701 Domain | Weight | What You Need to Understand |
|---|---|---|
| General Security Concepts | 12% | Security controls, CIA principles, Zero Trust, cryptography and fundamental security concepts |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% | Threat actors, attack vectors, vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques |
| Security Architecture | 18% | Secure infrastructure, cloud, virtualization, data protection and resilience |
| Security Operations | 28% | Monitoring, vulnerability management, identity, automation, incident response and security tools |
| Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% | Governance, risk, compliance, policies, third-party risk and security awareness |
Security Operations represents 28% of SY0-701, making it the largest part of the exam. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations follows at 22%. Together these two domains make up half of the examination.
Compared with Network+, Security+ therefore expects candidates to go beyond understanding whether a network works. Candidates must understand whether it is secure, what could compromise it, which controls reduce risk, and how security teams should detect and respond to suspicious activity.
Where Do N10-009 and SY0-701 Skills Overlap?
The strongest reason to connect these certifications is that several knowledge areas naturally carry from Network+ into Security+.
| Skill Area | N10-009 Foundation | SY0-701 Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Network Devices | Routers, switches, firewalls, proxies, IDS/IPS | Secure architecture and security control selection |
| Network Segmentation | VLANs, subnets and network design | Segmentation as a security and Zero Trust control |
| Protocols | TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, common ports and services | Secure protocols, protocol attacks and mitigation |
| Wireless | Wireless standards, configuration and troubleshooting | Wireless threats and secure implementation |
| Remote Connectivity | VPN concepts and remote access | Secure remote access and authentication controls |
| Network Monitoring | Baselines, logs and network monitoring | Security monitoring, alerting and incident detection |
| Attacks | Common network attacks and vulnerabilities | Threat actors, attack techniques and mitigation strategies |
| Troubleshooting | Identify and resolve network problems | Analyze security events and respond to incidents |
This overlap does not mean candidates study the same material twice. Instead, the context changes.
For example, Network+ may require you to understand what a firewall does and where it fits in a network. Security+ is more likely to require you to determine which firewall configuration or security control best reduces a particular risk.
Network+ may test whether you can recognize a DNS problem. Security+ may ask how DNS can be abused by an attacker or what controls can reduce that risk.
That progression makes the two certifications complementary rather than redundant.
Which Exam Should You Take First?
There is no single order that applies to every candidate. Your existing skills and career direction should determine where you start.
| Your Background or Goal | Recommended Starting Point |
|---|---|
| New to networking and cybersecurity | N10-009 first, then SY0-701 |
| Help desk or IT support experience but limited networking knowledge | N10-009 first |
| Network technician or network administrator | N10-009, followed by SY0-701 |
| Strong networking experience moving into cybersecurity | SY0-701 may be the better next step |
| Systems administrator with security responsibilities | SY0-701 |
| Building a broad IT certification foundation | N10-009 → SY0-701 |
For beginners, taking Network+ first generally creates the smoother learning path. Understanding IP addressing, ports, protocols, routing, switching, segmentation, VPNs, wireless networking, and network devices removes much of the infrastructure learning curve when Security+ introduces more complex security scenarios.
Candidates who already work with these technologies do not necessarily need to earn Network+ before attempting Security+.
How to Prepare for N10-009 and SY0-701 Without Repeating Your Study
Candidates planning to earn both certifications can use a connected study strategy rather than treating them as completely separate projects.
| Preparation Stage | Main Focus |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Learn networking concepts, TCP/IP, ports, protocols, addressing and network devices |
| Stage 2 | Practice routing, switching, wireless, network operations and troubleshooting |
| Stage 3 | Review the Network Security domain of N10-009 carefully |
| Stage 4 | Expand into threats, vulnerabilities, identity, cryptography and Zero Trust |
| Stage 5 | Study Security Architecture and Security Operations |
| Stage 6 | Complete governance, risk and security program topics |
| Stage 7 | Use scenario-based and performance-based practice questions for final review |
The transition point is especially important. Network Security accounts for 14% of N10-009, but security becomes the entire focus once you move to SY0-701. Instead of starting again, candidates can use concepts such as segmentation, firewalls, authentication, VPNs, network attacks, access control, and secure protocols as bridges between the two exams.
Use Practice Tests to Identify Gaps Between Networking and Security Knowledge
Reading the objectives tells you what CompTIA expects, but practice questions can reveal whether you can apply those concepts in realistic situations.
Candidates preparing for Network+ can use the Passcert N10-009 Practice Test to review networking concepts, implementation, operations, security, and troubleshooting while becoming familiar with scenario-based questions.
Once those fundamentals are comfortable, the Passcert SY0-701 Practice Test can help extend preparation into security threats, architecture, security operations, risk management, governance, and incident response.
For candidates planning to earn both certifications, this creates a useful progression:
N10-009 Practice → Identify Networking Weaknesses → Strengthen Network Security Knowledge → Move to SY0-701 Practice → Build Cybersecurity Decision-Making Skills
This approach is particularly useful because successful preparation for both exams requires more than memorizing definitions. Candidates need to recognize technologies, interpret scenarios, eliminate inappropriate solutions, and select the response that best matches the technical requirement described in the question.
Network+ or Security+: They Serve Different Career Goals
Choosing between Network+ N10-009 and Security+ SY0-701 does not have to be an either-or decision.
Network+ is valuable for professionals who need to understand the infrastructure behind modern IT environments. It provides broad knowledge of networking concepts, implementation, operations, security, and troubleshooting.
Security+ builds on many of those infrastructure concepts and shifts the emphasis toward protecting systems and information. Candidates study threats, vulnerabilities, security architecture, monitoring, incident response, identity, risk, and governance.
For someone starting an IT career, N10-009 → SY0-701 creates a logical progression from understanding networks to securing them. For candidates who already have strong networking skills, moving directly to SY0-701 may be more efficient.
Build a Stronger CompTIA Certification Path with N10-009 and SY0-701
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 and Security+ SY0-701 should not be viewed as competing certifications. They address different stages of the same technical journey.
N10-009 teaches you how networks work. SY0-701 teaches you how to protect the systems, networks, data, and users that depend on them.
If networking fundamentals are still a challenge, start your preparation with the latest Passcert CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Practice Tests. If you already understand networking and are ready to develop broader cybersecurity skills, continue with the Passcert CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Practice Tests.
Candidates planning to earn both can use the two exams as a connected certification path—building networking knowledge first and then applying that foundation to modern cybersecurity challenges.
