🗺️ Career Guide

IT Certification Roadmap

From beginner to expert — the most recognized IT certifications in networking and cybersecurity, in the right order.

Choose your path

Build your IT certification path with clarity.

Compare networking, security, and combined tracks from foundational certifications to advanced professional credentials.

3Study Paths

Foundation

⭐ Recommended

CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71

CompTIA

⏱ 1-2 months💰 See CompTIA

Beginner technology foundation for people with little or no IT experience

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CompTIA A+

CompTIA

⏱ 2-3 months💰 See CompTIA

Natural next step after building fundamentals with Tech+

Networking Entry

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA

⏱ 2-3 months💰 $338

Vendor-neutral networking fundamentals

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⭐ Recommended

CCNA 200-301

Cisco

⏱ 3-6 months💰 $330

⭐ Most recognized networking cert — start here for Cisco path

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Networking Professional

CCNP Enterprise

Cisco

⏱ 6-12 months💰 $400+

Enterprise networks, SD-WAN, advanced routing

CCNP Security

Cisco

⏱ 6-12 months💰 $400+

Firepower, ISE, secure access

Expert

CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure

Cisco

⏱ 1-3 years💰 $1,600+

The gold standard — lab exam required

Entry Level

⭐ Recommended

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA

⏱ 2-3 months💰 $392

⭐ Best first security cert — DoD approved, globally recognized

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CCNA 200-301

Cisco

⏱ 3-6 months💰 $330

Recommended alongside Security+ — network knowledge is essential for security

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Intermediate

CEH — Certified Ethical Hacker

EC-Council

⏱ 3-4 months💰 $950+

Offensive security, penetration testing methodology

CompTIA CySA+

CompTIA

⏱ 3-4 months💰 $392

Blue team, threat detection, SOC operations

CompTIA PenTest+

CompTIA

⏱ 3-4 months💰 $392

Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment

Advanced

OSCP — Offensive Security Certified Professional

OffSec

⏱ 6-12 months💰 $1,499

Hands-on practical pen testing — highly respected

CISSP

ISC²

⏱ 6-12 months💰 $749

Management-level security — requires 5 years experience

💡

Best combination: CCNA + Security+ = the most versatile foundation in IT. Networking knowledge makes you a better security practitioner — nearly every security cert assumes you understand networks.

Step 1 — Foundation (3-6 months)

⭐ Recommended

CCNA 200-301

Cisco

⏱ 3-6 months💰 $330

Start here — master networking fundamentals first

Study Free on NetworkUstad →

Step 2 — Security Foundation (2-3 months)

⭐ Recommended

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA

⏱ 2-3 months💰 $392

Much easier after CCNA — network knowledge directly applies

Study Free on NetworkUstad →

Step 3 — Specialize (choose your path)

CCNP Security (Cisco path)

Cisco

⏱ 6-12 months💰 $400+

Firewall, VPN, ISE — enterprise security focus

CEH + OSCP (Offensive path)

EC-Council / OffSec

⏱ 6-12 months💰 $2,000+

Ethical hacking, penetration testing, red team

CISSP (Management path)

ISC²

⏱ 12+ months💰 $749

Security management — requires 5 years experience

What NetworkUstad Covers — Free

📡 CCNA 200-301

6 study domains mapped to all 6 official exam domains, free forever

🛡️ Security+ SY0-701

5 domains, all 5 exam domains, free forever

🔒 Cybersecurity

363+ articles covering CEH, OSCP topics