Is Security+ Worth It in 2026? An Honest Look (SY0-701)

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Is CompTIA Security+ Worth It?

Short answer: for most people breaking into cybersecurity, yes. Security+ is the most recognized entry-level security cert and a DoD baseline, so it clears resume filters and meets a hard requirement for many government and contractor jobs. It is a baseline credential, not a guaranteed job, so the honest version is that it is worth it when you pair it with hands-on work and a clear target. Here is the case for and against, who it suits, and what it really costs.

Last updated July 2026

The case for and against

Worth it because

The most widely recognized entry-level, vendor-neutral security cert, so it gets a resume past automated filters.
Meets the DoD 8140 and 8570 baseline (IAT Level II), a hard requirement for many government and contractor jobs.
ISO 17024-accredited and not tied to any vendor, so it travels across employers and tools.
Reasonable cost and timeline compared with a degree, and it can count toward one year of the CISSP experience requirement later (ISC2 trimmed that waiver list to about 25 certifications in April 2026 and Security+ kept its spot).
The underlying field pays well and is growing: BLS puts information security analyst median pay at about $129,200 with about 29 percent projected growth through 2034.

Keep in mind

It is a baseline, not a finish line; on its own it rarely lands engineer, architect, or management roles.
A cert alone does not guarantee a job. The entry level is competitive, and many junior postings still ask for experience.
Employers increasingly screen on demonstrable skills, so it works best paired with home labs and projects.
It expires after three years and needs continuing education to renew.
For experienced security pros it is often redundant unless a contract or employer specifically requires it.

Who it is worth it for

Career changers and students

A clear, recognized first credential that proves baseline competence and gets interviews.

IT and help desk pros moving into security

It formalizes what you already touch and unlocks a security title.

Anyone targeting government or defense work

It satisfies the DoD baseline requirement, which many of those jobs will not waive.

Anyone whose target job postings list it

If the roles you want ask for Security+, it is the highest-leverage cert you can hold.

Who should look elsewhere first

Experienced security professionals

CISSP for leadership and architecture or OSCP for hands-on offensive work usually deliver more, unless a contract requires Security+.

People who mainly need to prove practical skill

Home labs, documented projects, and specialized certs can speak louder than another foundational paper cert.

What it really costs

Security+ cost breakdown
Exam voucher (US list price)	About $439
Voucher with reseller or student discount	About $370 to $395
Realistic self-study total (with books and practice tests)	About $550 to $750
Instructor-led bootcamp	$1,500 to $3,500
Renewal over the three-year cycle	About $150

A single voucher covers one attempt; a failed first try needs a new voucher unless you bought a retake bundle. Prices are US figures and change over time, so check the CompTIA store for the current voucher cost.

The market reality

Demand for security workers is strong: CyberSeek data as of mid-2026 puts the supply-to-demand ratio near 74 workers for every 100 openings, with more than 500,000 US listings and more than 70,000 openings asking for Security+ by name. The honest catch is that the shortage is concentrated above entry level. A first job is genuinely competitive, certs are often used as filters rather than guarantees, and employers favor people who can show practical skill. Security+ improves your odds, but the candidates who get hired usually pair it with home labs, documented projects, some scripting, and prior IT experience.

Is Security+ worth it: FAQ

Is CompTIA Security+ worth it in 2026?

For most people breaking into cybersecurity, yes. It is the most recognized entry-level, vendor-neutral, ISO 17024-accredited security cert and a DoD 8140 and 8570 baseline, so it gets your resume past filters and meets a hard requirement for many government and contractor jobs. It is a baseline credential, not a guaranteed job, so in a competitive entry market you should pair it with hands-on lab work and ideally some IT experience.

Who is Security+ actually worth it for?

Career changers, help desk and IT pros moving into security, students building a foundation, anyone who needs a DoD baseline cert, and anyone targeting roles whose postings list Security+. In those cases it is often the single highest-leverage cert you can hold, because it is so widely requested and satisfies the government baseline requirement.

Who should not make Security+ their next move?

Experienced security professionals usually gain little from it unless an employer or DoD contract specifically requires it; CISSP for leadership and architecture or OSCP for hands-on offensive work deliver more. People who mainly need to prove practical skill are also better served by home labs, documented projects, and specialized certs than by another foundational paper cert.

How much does Security+ cost, and what is the real total?

The exam voucher is about $439 in the US, often $370 to $395 through authorized resellers, less with student discounts. A realistic self-study total including books and practice tests is roughly $550 to $750, while instructor-led bootcamps run $1,500 to $3,500. The certification lasts three years, and renewal through continuing education costs about $150 over that cycle.

Will Security+ get me a cybersecurity job by itself?

Not reliably. There is a real talent gap, but the bottleneck is sharpest at the entry level, where many junior postings still ask for experience and employers increasingly screen on demonstrable skills. Candidates who get hired tend to combine Security+ with home labs, documented projects, some scripting, and prior IT or help desk experience.

Is the cybersecurity job market still strong?

Overall demand is strong: CyberSeek data as of mid-2026 puts the supply-to-demand ratio near 74 workers for every 100 openings, with more than 500,000 US listings. The catch is that the shortage is concentrated above entry level, so a first job is genuinely competitive even while senior demand stays high. Honest framing: the field is growing, but a cert alone does not clear the entry-level bar.

The case for and against

+ Worth it because

! Keep in mind