comptia security plus from kumarfield's blog

Regardless of the certification you eventually hold, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that certified security specialists can earn significantly higher annual salaries than those lacking credentials. 

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Job Prospects for Security+ Certified Professionals

The current job market for CompTIA Security+ certified professionals is growing. In fact, it’s hard to imagine another job sector with brighter prospects than cybersecurity professionals. Analysts predict that by the end of 2018, there will be up to two million unfilled cybersecurity jobs. Approximately six million cyber professionals will be needed with only four million available. By 2021, according to CyberSecurity Ventures, that gap will increase to 3.5 million unfilled positions.  Obviously, this gap will create an increasing demand for qualified security professionals and push salaries up accordingly. CompTIA found that 62% of managers in the U.S. who were hiring for IT positions indicated that security skills are a “must have” to be considered for a position.

While there are no prerequisites for taking the Security+ exam, CompTIA recommends individuals have at least two years of experience in IT Administration, with a specific focus on security, before attempting to take the exam. For those with no experience, CompTIA recommends earning their A+ certification first, followed by the Network+ certification, with the Security+ exam rounding out the list.

The CompTIA Security+ certification will help you break into the industry, but for most, it will only be the first step. This certification will get you in the door at companies, but higher-paying jobs will only be available as you add to your resume with more advanced skills and work experience. Some common positions you can secure with this certification include:

comptia security plus

Enterprise Service Desk –  In this role, you’ll work for a company’s helpdesk, most likely answering questions about applications, systems, subsystems, and hardware. Callers will have questions covering topics like configuration, operation, customization, installation, and how to properly use the product or software.

Security Analyst – Working as a security analyst, you will install software on users’ computers, including firewalls. In addition, you will help plan and execute security measures to protect your employer’s computer networks and systems.