CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| CompTIA Security+ | CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional | CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker | CISM - Certified Information Security Manager | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CompTIA | ISC2 | EC-Council | ISACA |
| Level | Beginner | Advanced | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Exam fee | $425 | $749 | $1,199 | US$575 (member), US$760 (non‑member) |
| Duration | — | — | 4 hours (MCQ) + 6 hours (practical) | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $75K–$100K | $140K–$175K | $95K–$130K | $130K–$165K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | — | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take CompTIA Security+ or CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional first?
CompTIA Security+ is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take CompTIA Security+ or CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker first?
CompTIA Security+ is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Intermediate), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take CompTIA Security+ or CISM - Certified Information Security Manager first?
CompTIA Security+ is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.