CompTIA Security+ and SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) from (ISC)2 share just as many similarities as they have differences, which is why it is important to understand what they are designed for in regards to helping you move up in your cybersecurity career.

Below, we go over in more detail what these key differences are to help aspiring professionals determine which cybersecurity certification they should have that is the best use for their time and money.

Security+ vs SSCP

Both Security+ and SSCP are qualifications aimed at IT professionals in the initial stages of their careers. As vendor-neutral certifications, they are more geared towards validating the individual’s expertise across a range of hardware, network types, and environments rather than testing your knowledge about specific types of technologies.

The most notable aspect that sets the two apart is their entry requirements. While Security+ has no formal eligibility requirements, CompTIA does suggest building up at least two years of experience in IT administration first (ideally with a focus on security) alongside earning their Network+ certification or a suitable equivalent to have a good foundation on networking principles.

In contrast, the prerequisite for taking the SSCP includes having at least a year of work experience in one or more of the seven SSCP knowledge domains. That said, you can still sit the exam despite not having the requisite work experience since you can just build it up to the required level after passing, which is only then can you use the full SSCP title.

Regardless of these differences, both cover a broad range of knowledge with some overlap in the covered topics. But since they are targeted at slightly different audiences, they will vary in terms of exam difficulty, structure, and, most importantly, job prospects.

About CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is all about learning and validating existing foundational knowledge and prepares you to be capable of handling the main tasks involved in an entry-level information security role. These tasks can be quite varied and may include monitorings threats and vulnerabilities, securing the configuration of systems, responding to security alerts, and more.

In other words, Security+ gives you the confidence to accomplish these day-to-day responsibilities, fills in your knowledge gaps, and demonstrates your skills to do the following:

• Support organization security by installing, configuring, and deploying network components and evaluating and troubleshooting any issues.
• Install and configure access and identity services, management controls, and wireless security settings.
• Implement public key infrastructure and secure network architecture concepts and systems design.
• Summarize and implement risk management best practices and their business impact.
• Understand vulnerability scanning and penetration testing concepts to uncover different types of compromise.

Therefore, getting a Security+ certification boosts your credentials for many entry-level IT security roles, such as:

• Network Administrator
• Trainee Security Engineer
• IT Helpdesk Assistant
• Junior Penetration Tester
• Security Administrator
• Assistant Systems Administrator

About SSCP

SSCP from (ISC)2 is a junior to intermediate-level certification with a strong reputational degree as it is provided by the same organization behind the more advanced CISSP that many consider to be the gold standard in today’s cybersecurity industry.

Since SSCP heavily focuses on security operations and administration, it displays that an individual has the foundational knowledge and experience to implement, monitor and administer critical IT infrastructure using up-to-date cybersecurity best practices, procedures, and policies. In other words, this qualification is designed to build upon and validate the hands-on knowledge you have accumulated so far.

By adding an SSCP qualification to your credentials, it demonstrates your understanding of concepts including but not limited to:

• Various types of security controls, their key differences, and when to apply them across networks
• Secure asset deployment from start to finish, which may entail archiving and/or disposal
• Implementing and maintaining access and authentication controls
• Risk management and continuous monitoring
• Incident response and recovery, which includes implementing continuity and disaster recovery plans
• Network security management and configuring firewalls and other network-based security tools.

An SSCP certification assures employers of your technical skills to progress from entry-level operative-type roles into advanced positions that require more technical know-how and carry greater responsibility. Some examples of these positions include:

• Network Security Engineer
• Database Administrator
• Security Consultant/Analyst
• Security Administrator
• Systems/Network Analyst
• Systems Engineer

Conclusion

Comparing Security+ vs SSCP ultimately boils down to the question of which is best for the current stage of your career. For those aiming to secure your very first job in cybersecurity, choosing CompTIA Security+ is better since it is a widely-recognized and sought-after foundational security qualification out there. In contrast, those in a junior cybersecurity role looking to move up the career ladder will benefit more from an SSCP certification that provides the higher levels of technical expertise necessary to progress.

BridgingMinds offers the CompTIA Security+ certification course and many other professional courses for those looking to step up in the IT industry, be it software developers, IT security professionals, project managers and more. To learn more about our courses, feel free to contact us at any time.