There are over 20 network security certifications on the market. Most people pick based on name recognition or whatever their company will reimburse — and end up spending six months studying for a credential that doesn't move the needle on their salary or job prospects. This guide cuts through that.
We'll cover the certifications that actually show up in job postings, what they pay, who they're for, and the courses that give you the best shot at passing them. If you're deciding between Security+ and CISSP, or wondering whether CEH is worth the cost, this is the breakdown you need.
The Network Security Certification Landscape: Vendor-Neutral vs. Vendor-Specific
Before picking a certification, you need to understand the split that shapes the entire market:
- Vendor-neutral certifications (CompTIA, ISC², ISACA, EC-Council) test broad knowledge that applies across any environment — Cisco, Palo Alto, AWS, on-prem, doesn't matter. These are the ones that show up in government contracting requirements and general IT job listings.
- Vendor-specific certifications (Cisco CCNA Security, Palo Alto PCNSE, Fortinet NSE, AWS Security Specialty) test deep knowledge of a specific product or platform. They're worth more in shops that run that vendor's gear, less elsewhere.
Your career stage and employer type should determine which path makes sense. A government contractor needs DoD 8570-approved vendor-neutral certs. A network engineer at a Cisco house needs CCNA. A cloud-first company values AWS or GCP security credentials. Picking wrong isn't catastrophic — certs stack — but it is expensive in both time and money.
The Top Network Security Certifications, Ranked by Career Stage
Entry Level (0–3 Years Experience)
CompTIA Security+ is the default starting point for anyone entering network security. It covers network security, threats, cryptography, identity management, and risk management at a conceptual level. It's DoD 8570 IAT Level II approved, which means it's required for a large chunk of government IT roles. Exam cost is around $400, pass rate is roughly 80%, and it genuinely does open doors for help desk or SOC analyst roles. Most employers recognize it immediately.
CompTIA Network+ is worth doing first if your networking fundamentals are shaky. You can pass Security+ without it, but you'll struggle with the network-specific questions. Network+ covers subnetting, routing, switching, and wireless protocols — the underpinning of everything in network security.
Cisco CyberOps Associate is Cisco's entry-level security cert, focused specifically on SOC analyst work — monitoring, detection, incident response. It's more hands-on in orientation than Security+ and better for people targeting SOC roles specifically.
Mid-Level (3–6 Years Experience)
CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) is the natural step after Security+. It focuses on threat intelligence, vulnerability management, and incident response — skills that translate directly into mid-level SOC and threat analyst roles. It's notably harder than Security+ and requires you to actually apply concepts, not just recognize them.
CEH — Certified Ethical Hacker (EC-Council) is the most controversial cert on this list. It's widely recognized by name in job postings and HR systems, but security practitioners often dismiss it as too theoretical. The exam tests knowledge of attack techniques but doesn't require you to actually execute them in a live environment. It's worth it if you want the checkbox for penetration testing roles and can pair it with hands-on practice. Don't pay full price ($1,199+) — EC-Council runs discounts constantly.
CCNA Security / Cisco DevNet Associate for network engineers who are already Cisco-heavy. If you're managing Cisco routers, switches, and ASA firewalls day-to-day, the CCNA Security credential validates skills you're already using. Outside Cisco environments, its value drops significantly.
Senior Level (5+ Years, Often with Management Scope)
CISSP — Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC²) is the highest-recognition network security certification in the industry. It covers eight domains: Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture, Network Security, Identity and Access Management, Security Assessment, Security Operations, and Software Development Security. ISC² requires five years of paid work experience across at least two domains before you can sit the exam (you can take it earlier and become an Associate of ISC² while you accumulate hours). Median CISSP salary in the US is around $130,000–$145,000, and it's frequently listed as required or preferred in senior security architect and CISO-track roles.
CISM — Certified Information Security Manager (ISACA) targets security managers and those moving toward CISO roles. It's less technically deep than CISSP and more focused on governance, risk management, and program management. If your trajectory is management rather than technical architecture, CISM pairs better with your career path.
OSCP — Offensive Security Certified Professional is the gold standard for penetration testers. Unlike every other cert on this list, OSCP requires you to actually compromise machines in a live lab environment during a 24-hour exam. No multiple choice. It's brutal, it's time-consuming, and it's genuinely respected by hiring managers who know what it takes to pass.
What These Certifications Actually Pay
Based on aggregate data from job postings and self-reported salary surveys:
- CompTIA Security+: $55,000–$80,000 (entry-level roles)
- CompTIA CySA+: $75,000–$100,000 (SOC analyst, threat analyst)
- CEH: $85,000–$115,000 (penetration tester, security consultant)
- CISSP: $120,000–$160,000 (security architect, CISO)
- CISM: $115,000–$150,000 (security manager, director)
- OSCP: $100,000–$140,000 (penetration tester, red team)
These ranges assume the cert is paired with relevant work experience. Certs alone don't produce the top end of these ranges — they validate skills you already have or are actively developing.
Top Courses to Prepare for a Network Security Certification
Foundational networking knowledge is the prerequisite for nearly every network security certification. If you're shaky on how packets move, how routing works, or how cloud networking is structured, you'll hit a wall in both the coursework and the exams. These courses address that foundation directly.
The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
Part of Google's IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera, this is the most efficient way to build solid networking fundamentals before tackling Security+ or CCNA. It covers the TCP/IP model, DNS, DHCP, NAT, VPNs, and network troubleshooting — the exact concepts that show up repeatedly in network security exams. Rated 9.7/10 across tens of thousands of learners.
Networking in Google Cloud: Fundamentals
If your target role is in cloud security or you're pursuing AWS/GCP security credentials, this course builds the infrastructure literacy you need first — VPCs, subnets, firewall rules, load balancers, and Cloud DNS. Understanding how Google Cloud's network is structured maps directly to AWS and Azure equivalents, and it's essential context for any cloud-focused security certification. Rated 9.7/10.
Google Cloud IAM and Networking for AWS Professionals
Identity and access management is a tested domain in CISSP, Security+, and every major cloud security certification. This course covers IAM policies, service accounts, VPC security controls, and private connectivity — with explicit comparison to AWS concepts. Strong preparation for anyone pursuing cross-cloud security roles or the AWS Security Specialty exam. Rated 9.7/10.
AWS SAA-C03 Practice: 850+ Questions on Networking
If you're targeting the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam (which includes significant networking and security content), this Udemy practice bank is one of the most efficient ways to stress-test your knowledge. 850+ questions specifically on networking scenarios surfaces gaps fast, before you sit the real exam. Rated 9.6/10.
How to Choose a Network Security Certification
The decision framework is simpler than most guides make it:
- What's your experience level? Under 3 years: start with Security+ or Network+. 3–6 years: CySA+, CEH, or CCNA Security. 6+ years: CISSP or CISM.
- What type of employer are you targeting? Government/DoD: you need DoD 8570-approved certs (Security+, CISSP, CISM, CEH). Private sector: employer preferences vary, but CISSP and Security+ are universally recognized. Cloud-native companies: cloud vendor certs often matter more than vendor-neutral ones.
- What's your technical trajectory? If you want to stay hands-on technical, Security+ → CySA+ → OSCP is a solid path. If you're moving toward management, Security+ → CISSP → CISM makes more sense.
- What can you actually study for right now? CISSP requires five years of experience. No amount of motivation changes that. Pick the highest-value cert you're actually eligible for.
FAQ: Network Security Certification
Is Security+ enough to get a cybersecurity job?
Security+ is enough to get an entry-level job in many cases — SOC analyst, help desk with security focus, junior network administrator. It won't get you a security engineer or architect role on its own. Think of it as the baseline that gets your resume through HR filters, not the credential that wins the offer.
How long does it take to get a network security certification?
Preparation time varies significantly by cert and background. Security+ typically takes 2–4 months of consistent study for someone with basic IT experience. CISSP prep commonly takes 6–12 months. CEH exam prep is 3–6 months. OSCP is harder to time-box — the lab environment is where most people spend 3–6 months before attempting the 24-hour exam.
Do I need a degree to get a network security certification?
No. CompTIA, ISC², ISACA, and EC-Council don't require a degree to sit their exams (CISSP requires work experience, not a degree). Many employers will accept an equivalent combination of certifications and experience in lieu of a degree for security roles, particularly in the private sector.
Which network security certification pays the most?
CISSP consistently shows up at the top of compensation surveys for security credentials, with median salaries in the $130,000–$145,000 range in the US. CISM is close behind for management-track roles. That said, these certs are associated with senior roles — the certification reflects experience level, it doesn't cause the salary on its own.
Is CEH worth getting?
Depends on your goal. CEH appears in enough job postings that it provides a filtering benefit, particularly in consulting and government-adjacent roles. But it's not as respected by technical practitioners as OSCP for actual penetration testing work. If you have the budget for both, CEH gets you checkbox recognition; OSCP gets you actual credibility with security teams. If you can only do one, OSCP is harder to get and more meaningful.
Can I get a network security job without a certification?
Yes — especially at smaller companies and in roles where you can demonstrate skills through a portfolio, GitHub, bug bounty history, or prior employer references. Certifications are most valuable when you're breaking into a new sector (government contracting), when HR systems use them as automated filters, or when you're competing in a pool of otherwise-similar candidates. They're not a strict gate for all employers.
Bottom Line
If you're starting out, Security+ is the right first network security certification — it's broadly recognized, reasonably priced, and gives you the vocabulary to navigate every other cert path. If you've got 5+ years of experience and want the credential that shifts your salary bracket, CISSP is worth the investment in study time.
Don't spend money on a cert before you know why you're getting it. "Looks good on a resume" is not a strategy. Know whether you're trying to pass an HR filter, qualify for a specific contract vehicle, move into a new specialty, or demonstrate skills to a technical interviewer. Each of those goals may point to a different certification.
Start with the foundational networking knowledge — The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking is the most efficient way to build that base — then layer in cert-specific exam prep once your fundamentals are solid.