When you’re starting out in cybersecurity or IT, the CCNA vs. Network+ debate shows up a lot. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard both sides: “Go for CCNA—it’s deeper!” vs “Start with Network+—it’s quicker!” I’ve walked this path myself, and I want to share not just the facts—but the real experience.
🎯 Why People Lean Toward Network+
A lot of people interested in cybersecurity lean toward Network+. It’s quicker to study for, vendor-neutral, and doesn’t dive too deep. If you’re not planning to become a network engineer, it can seem like overkill to go the CCNA route. You can finish Network+ in 1–2 months if you’re focused. You get your foundational knowledge—OSI model, basic protocols, ports, and so on—and you’re ready to move on to Security+ (which is the next step in CompTIA’s popular pathway). And that approach works for many.
When I also first looked into IT certifications, CompTIA Network+ was everywhere. It looked clean, approachable, fast. I read stories of people passing it in 4-6 weeks. And if I was heading into cybersecurity, why go too deep into networking, right?
🔁 My Turning Point: When Routing Got Real
But here’s what changed things for me. I remember studying routing protocols for Network+. I learned the basics:
- RIP is distance-vector.
- OSPF is link-state.
- EIGRP is hybrid.
I memorized administrative distances, hop count limits… all of it. But that knowledge didn’t click—it just sat there, like flashcards waiting to fade. Then came CCNA. I was building labs in Packet Tracer, configuring OSPF between routers. Suddenly, I wasn’t just memorizing that OSPF uses “cost”—I was setting it, changing reference bandwidth, seeing how it influenced path selection. I watched DR/BDR elections happen. I purposely misconfigured interfaces to see how failovers behaved. I tweaked metrics to force routes through different paths. That’s when I realized: “Something about it felt… real. Less like school, more like doing the thing.” It wasn’t theory anymore—it was engineering. And that understanding stayed with me.
🧠 Doing > Memorizing
The big difference for me? Network+ is theory-heavy. You read, memorize, maybe use flashcards. CCNA forces you to apply. You lab, troubleshoot, and learn by doing. And because of that, I retain so much more. Routing, switching, IP addressing—they’re not just topics I studied once. They’re tools I actually used.
🚀 You Think It’ll Slow You Down—but It Speeds You Up
I get it—spending 3 months on CCNA might feel like it’ll delay your progress. But for me, it did the opposite. Once I finished CCNA, everything else in my cybersecurity learning journey started to click faster. I didn’t have to guess how things worked—I understood the underlying mechanics. Concepts like VPN tunneling, ACLs, firewall rules, or zero-trust architecture—those weren’t abstract. I had built pieces of them in labs. I could visualize the flow of packets through a real network. That’s a huge advantage.
💼 The Truth is: You Might Not Start in Cybersecurity
This is something more people need to hear: Most people don’t start in a cybersecurity role. You’re more likely to begin in Helpdesk, IT support, or network technician roles. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to grow. You learn the systems you’ll later protect. You get comfortable troubleshooting in real environments. You see the risks that cybersecurity has to account for. That’s why CCNA was so valuable for me—it prepared me for the actual jobs I’d start with, not just the future I’m aiming for. And ironically? That early technical depth makes you stand out when you apply to cyber roles later.
💰 Cost & Commitment Comparison
| Feature | Network+ | CCNA |
| Exam Cost | ~$348 | ~$300 |
| Study Time | 1-2 months | 2-3+ months |
| Learning Style | Mostly Theoretical | Hands-on labs + applied concepts |
| Job Targets | IT Support, Helpdesk, technician | Network engineer, sysadmin, cyber analyst |
| Retention/Depth | Short-term, memorization-heavy | Long-term, retention via practical labs |
📚 Resource Suggestions
Network+:
- Professor Messer’s free videos or
- Jason Dion’s udemy course and practice exams
- Mike Meyers Network+ book
CCNA:
- Neil Anderson’s udemy course
- Cisco Packet Tracer (free simulator)
- Boson ExSim (practice exams)
- Jeremy McDowel’s books
🎓 Final Thoughts: No One’s Wrong
Personally, pursuing CCNA was the best decision I ever made. It unlocked not just certifications, but deep confidence in networks. Now, when I study cybersecurity—be it reading logs, building secure architectures, or incident hunting—I’m not just following steps; I understand why each piece matters. That kind of insight improves efficiency, troubleshooting speed, and retention—by leaps and bounds. Maybe you think CCNA will slow you down. But for me, it’s the reason everything else now moves faster.
That said—Network+ is still a strong choice, especially if you’re looking for a fast on-ramp or you know you won’t be doing heavy network work. Just be honest about your goals. Ask yourself:
- Do I want to understand networks or just know about them?
- Am I okay starting in support and growing, or am I trying to leap over fundamentals?
Neither path is wrong—it’s about your goals, timeline, and how much depth you’re after. Whatever you choose—make sure it aligns with where you want to go, and how you learn best.
➕ Curious about the exact study plan I followed? Check out How I Passed the CCNA in 3 Months for resources, strategies, and daily habits.