CCNA + Security+: Why It Beats the CompTIA Trifecta in 2026

A thread on Reddit’s ITCareerQuestions sparked exactly the kind of debate every cert candidate should be paying attention to. With CompTIA hiking prices yet again — Total Seminars confirmed that 2025’s increase hit in June, and another is expected to follow in 2026 — the old advice of “just get the A+, then Network+, then Security+” is starting to look like a questionable investment.

The original poster’s argument was blunt: skip the trifecta. Go straight for the CCNA and Security+. That’s not a hot take from a Reddit armchair expert — it’s a position backed by current pricing, job market data, and the reality of what employers actually screen for.

Let’s break down why that advice holds up, where it doesn’t, and how to make the call for your situation.

The Price Tag Breakdown: Trifecta vs. Two-Step

CompTIA currently charges $392 per exam as of their most recent increase. That means:

CompTIA A+ requires two exams (220-1101 + 220-1102): $784 total
CompTIA Network+ requires one exam (N10-008): $392
CompTIA Security+ requires one exam (SY0-701): $392

Running the full trifecta? $1,568 in exam fees alone. Add retakes, study materials, practice tests, and you’re easily staring at $2,000+ before you ever land an interview.

Now compare that to the two-step approach the Reddit thread recommends:

Cisco CCNA (200-301): $300 — one exam
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701): $392 — one exam

Total: $692. That’s a savings of $876 — more than half the cost of the trifecta — while arguably landing you a stronger credential stack for the roles most people are actually aiming for.

Factor	A+ + Network+ + Security+	CCNA + Security+
Total exam cost	$1,568	$692
Number of exams	4	2
Avg study time	8–12 months	4–6 months
Target roles	Help Desk, Desktop Support	NOC, Network Tech, Security Analyst
Avg starting salary	$40K–55K	$55K–85K
Career ceiling without further certs	Moderate	High (CCNP path)

Why the CCNA Beats A+ and Network+ Combined

Here’s the uncomfortable truth about the CompTIA trifecta: A+ and Network+ were designed for a different job market. A+ proves you can troubleshoot a PC, replace a hard drive, and navigate Windows. Network+ proves you understand subnetting, OSI layers, and basic routing concepts. Both are useful foundations — but in 2026, they’re foundations that many employers no longer require.

The Knowledge Academy’s comparison notes that CCNA covers all the networking fundamentals in Network+ and goes significantly deeper — adding practical Cisco IOS configuration, VLANs, OSPF, and network automation concepts that employers in NOC and network engineering roles actually care about.

The career trajectory difference matters more than the price gap:

A+ path: Help Desk ($40K–55K) → Network Admin → then you’ll need CCNA anyway
CCNA path: Network Technician / NOC ($55K–75K) → Network Engineer ($75K–100K) → CCNP

The CCNA effectively skips the help desk tier. If your goal is networking or security, spending $784 on A+ to prove you can swap RAM modules is a detour, not a stepping stone. Multiple Reddit threads echo this — hiring managers increasingly view CCNA as a substitute for both A+ and Network+ when screening candidates for network-facing roles.

Another factor: study resources. Cisco offers Packet Tracer for free, and the CCNA has one of the most robust free study ecosystems on YouTube (Jeremy’s IT Lab, NetworkChuck, Kevin Wallace). A+ and Network+ study material quality is more scattered, and good practice labs cost extra.

Why Security+ Is the One CompTIA Cert You Shouldn’t Skip

The Reddit thread’s recommendation to pair CCNA with Security+ (not replace it) is the right call. Here’s why Security+ occupies a completely different category than A+ or Network+:

DoD 8570/8140 compliance. Security+ meets IAT Level II and IAM Level II requirements under the Department of Defense directive. This isn’t optional — it’s legally mandated for anyone performing cybersecurity work on government systems. ASMED confirms that Security+ remains the most common baseline certification for government and contractor IT security roles.

Job posting frequency. Security+ appears in over 63,000 job postings annually in the US. StationX’s 2026 cybersecurity market analysis reports that Security+ “leads for entry-level and government positions” and “appears in the most job postings per CyberSeek” of any entry-level security certification. No other entry-level cert comes close.

It’s the government gateway. Whether you’re targeting SOC analyst, security administrator, or GRC roles — and especially if you want to work in federal contracting — Security+ is the gatekeeper. Without it, you’re locked out of a massive segment of the cybersecurity job market.

Yes, it’s a CompTIA exam at CompTIA prices. But unlike A+ and Network+, there’s no viable cheaper alternative that delivers the same industry recognition and compliance coverage.

The Trifecta Isn’t Wrong — It’s Just Not for Everyone

Before you burn your A+ study materials, understand who the trifecta still serves:

Help desk is your target. If you genuinely want to start in desktop support or IT support specialist roles, A+ is still the most widely recognized entry point. Some MSPs and enterprise IT departments list it as a hard requirement.
You’re a complete beginner with zero IT exposure. A+ provides the broadest foundation. If you’ve never configured a router, never opened a command prompt, and the phrase “DHCP” means nothing to you — A+ will fill those gaps in a structured way.
Your employer requires it. Some organizations have specific certification ladders. If your company’s promotion track requires A+, get A+.

But if you’re self-studying, paying out of pocket, and targeting network or security roles — the math and the job market both favor CCNA + Security+.

Practical Advice: How to Actually Execute the Two-Step Path

If you’re going CCNA first, here’s what nobody tells you:

Start with Cisco’s free Networking Academy courses. They’re genuinely good. The “Introduction to Networks” and “Network Communications” courses align closely with CCNA objectives and cost nothing. Pair them with Packet Tracer labs and you have a complete study pipeline before you ever spend a dime.

Budget 2–3 months for CCNA study. It’s one exam, but it covers a lot of ground: network fundamentals, IP connectivity, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability. The automation section catches people off guard — don’t ignore REST APIs and basic Python scripting just because they feel “not networking.”

Then pivot to Security+. SY0-701 is heavily theory and vocabulary-driven compared to CCNA. It’s a different study mode — less hands-on lab work, more memorization of frameworks, protocols, and compliance concepts. Most people report 4–6 weeks of focused study is sufficient if you already have CCNA-level networking knowledge under your belt.

Don’t stop at certs. The Reddit poster’s final point is the most important one: the job market in 2026 is brutal, and certifications alone won’t get you hired. Build a home lab. Document it on a blog or GitHub. Run actual attack simulations. Set up a pfSense firewall, configure Active Directory, spin up a Kubernetes cluster on your own hardware. Employers are screening for demonstrated skills, not just exam passes.

Budget Alternatives Worth Considering

If even CCNA + Security+ feels expensive, a few options can lower the bar:

Microsoft certifications: AZ-900, SC-900, and AZ-104 frequently have 50% discount vouchers or free vouchers throughout the year. MSPs and enterprise environments value Azure skills heavily. Check Microsoft’s certification promotions page regularly.
Academic pricing: If you’re a student or affiliated with an educational institution, CompTIA exam vouchers can drop to roughly $150–200 per exam through authorized academic partners.
Military benefits: CompTIA certifications are covered under the DoD COOL program and VA benefits. If you’re eligible, your exam costs are covered entirely.
ISC2 CC: At roughly $199, the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity entry-level cert is cheaper than Security+ — but it doesn’t carry the same DoD 8570 weight or job market recognition. It’s a supplement, not a substitute.

FAQ

Can I really skip A+ and Network+ entirely?

For most people targeting network engineering, cybersecurity, or cloud roles — yes. CCNA covers the networking knowledge that Network+ tests, and goes deeper. A+ is primarily valuable for help desk and desktop support positions. If those aren’t your target roles, the time and money are better spent elsewhere.

Is Security+ really mandatory for government cybersecurity jobs?

Under DoD Directive 8570/8140, Security+ satisfies the IAT Level II and IAM Level II requirements. If you’re performing cybersecurity work on Department of Defense systems, it’s not optional — it’s a compliance requirement. Many defense contractors require it before you even start onboarding.

What if I fail the CCNA on my first attempt?

Cisco charges $300 per attempt with no bundled retake voucher. This is where the risk calculation matters — you need to be well-prepared before sitting. Use Cisco’s free Networking Academy, complete at least two full practice exams scoring 80%+, and spend significant time in Packet Tracer labs. Most people who fail CCNA do so because they skipped the hands-on portion of their study plan.

Should I get CCNA first or Security+ first?

CCNA first, unless you’re already confident in networking fundamentals. CCNA gives you the subnetting, routing, and switching knowledge that Security+ expects you to already have. Studying CCNA first means the network security sections of Security+ will feel like review rather than new material.

Are CompTIA prices going up again in 2026?

Total Seminars noted that CompTIA’s 2025 price increase took effect in June, and historically a follow-up increase is likely. If you’re planning to take Security+, buying a voucher sooner rather than later is a reasonable hedge — vouchers are typically valid for 11–12 months.