Table of Contents
- What Is Covered in the CompTIA Security+ Exam
- An Overview of the Cisco CyberOps Certification
- Direct Comparison of Security+ vs CyberOps
- Jobs and Salaries Expected After Getting Certified
- Complementary Paths for Cybersecurity Job Preparedness
- Which to Obtain First? Depends on Your Career Stage
- Conclusion and Final Notes
CompTIA Security+ and Cisco CyberOps are two popular cybersecurity certifications in the industry.
Both certifications provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure networks and protect against cyber threats.
However, there are some key differences between the two that individuals should consider when choosing which certification to pursue.
CompTIA Security+ certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge required to secure networks, devices, and applications.
It covers a wide range of topics, including network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, access control and identity management, and cryptography.
The certification is vendor-neutral, meaning that it is not tied to any particular technology or product.
This makes it a good choice for professionals who work with a variety of different systems and technologies.
On the other hand, Cisco CyberOps certification is focused specifically on cybersecurity operations.
It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge required to detect and respond to security incidents.
The certification covers security concepts, security monitoring, host-based analysis, network intrusion analysis, and incident response.
It is vendor-specific, meaning that it is tied to Cisco technologies and products.
This makes it a good choice for professionals who work specifically with Cisco systems and technologies.
What Is Covered in the CompTIA Security+ Exam
The CompTIA Security+ certification is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in the field of cybersecurity.
The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions that must be completed within 90 minutes.
The exam is designed to test the candidate’s ability to identify and mitigate security risks and threats, implement security controls, and respond to security incidents.
The following table summarizes the main topics covered in the CompTIA Security+ exam:
| Domain (% of Exam) | Topics |
|---|---|
| General Security Concepts (12%) | Security control categories (technical, managerial, operational, physical) |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities and Mitigations (22%) | Common threat actors and motivations (nation-states), unskilled attackers, hacktivists, insider threats, organized crime |
| Security Architecture (18%) | Secure network design principles and technologies |
| Security Operations (28%) | Security monitoring and logging (SIEM systems, log analysis, anomaly detection) |
| Security Program Management and Oversight (20%) | Security program development and implementation (risk assessment, policy creation, training, awareness) |
An Overview of the Cisco CyberOps Certification
Cisco CyberOps certification is a well-known and respected certification in the cybersecurity industry.
It is designed to validate the skills required for entry-level cybersecurity analysts.
The certification focuses on the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including security concepts, security monitoring, host-based analysis, and network intrusion analysis.
The Cisco CyberOps certification is composed of two exams. The first exam, SECFND (210-250), covers the foundational knowledge of cybersecurity.
The second exam, SECOPS (210-255), focuses on the practical skills required for a cybersecurity analyst.
The SECFND exam covers the following topics:
- Security concepts
- Network concepts
- Cryptography
- Host-based analysis
- Security monitoring
The SECOPS exam covers the following topics:
- Endpoint threat analysis and computer forensics
- Network intrusion analysis
- Incident response and handling
- Data and event analysis
- Incident response and management
Direct Comparison of Security+ vs CyberOps
Here is a direct comparison of Security+ vs CyberOps:
Exam Content
CompTIA Security+ covers a broad range of security topics, including network security, cryptography, identity management, and risk management.
On the other hand, Cisco CyberOps focuses specifically on cybersecurity operations, with topics such as security concepts, security monitoring, and incident response.
Exam Difficulty
While both are challenging in their own regard, CyberOps is likely considered more difficult overall due to its specialization in hands-on SOC skills.
However, Security+ still tests a well-rounded grasp of security ideas that require diligent study as well. The best certification depends most on one’s specific career aims.
Certification Recognition
CompTIA Security+ is recognized by a wide range of organizations and is often a requirement for government and military positions.
Cisco CyberOps is a newer certification and may not be as widely recognized, even if it is slowly gaining popularity in the cybersecurity industry.
Career Path
CompTIA Security+ is a good starting point for those new to the cybersecurity field, as it covers a broad range of topics and is recognized by many organizations.
Cisco CyberOps is more specialized and may be better suited for those looking to specialize in cybersecurity operations (SOC)
Jobs and Salaries Expected After Getting Certified
After obtaining a certification in CompTIA Security+, you can expect to qualify for a wide range of job roles in the cybersecurity industry.
These include positions such as Security Analyst, Security Engineer, Security Consultant, and Network Administrator.
The certification is recognized globally and is considered a baseline requirement for many entry-level cybersecurity positions.
According to the latest data from PayScale, the average salary for a Security Analyst with CompTIA Security+ certification is around $71,000 per year.
A Security Engineer with the same certification can expect to earn an average salary of $92,000 annually.
These salaries may vary depending on the candidate’s work experience, location, and other factors.
On the other hand, obtaining a Cisco Cyber Ops certification prepares candidates for cybersecurity operations and threat analysis careers.
Job roles commonly associated with this certification include Security Analyst, Security Engineer, Network Security Engineer, and Cybersecurity Consultant.
According to the latest data from PayScale, the average salary for a Security Analyst with Cisco CyberOps certification is around $84,000 annually.
A Security Engineer with the same certification can expect to earn an average salary of $102,000 annually.
These salaries may vary depending on the candidate’s work experience, location, and other factors.
More on salaries:
Complementary Paths for Cybersecurity Job Preparedness
While these certifications take different approaches, they are also complementary.
Professionals who hold both certifications will have a broad understanding of cybersecurity concepts as well as a deep knowledge of Cisco security technologies.
For example, a professional who holds both certifications would be able to identify and mitigate cyber threats using a range of tools and techniques.
They could also implement Cisco security solutions to protect their organization’s networks and systems.
Which to Obtain First? Depends on Your Career Stage
Whether to pursue a CompTIA Security+ or Cisco Cyber Ops certification largely depends on your current career stage.
If you are starting out in cybersecurity, CompTIA Security+ is a great entry-level certification to obtain.
It covers various security topics and provides a solid foundation for further cybersecurity study.
On the other hand, if you already have some experience in the field and are looking to specialize in cybersecurity operations, Cisco CyberOps may be a better choice.
It’s important to note that both certifications have value and can complement each other.
CompTIA Security+ provides a broad overview of cybersecurity concepts, while Cisco Cyber Ops dives deeper into SOC tasks.
Obtaining both certifications can demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of cybersecurity.
Ultimately, deciding which certification to obtain first should be based on your current career stage and goals.
Conclusion and Final Notes
Both CompTIA Security+ and Cisco Cyber Ops are excellent certifications for those interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.
Regardless of which certification is chosen, CompTIA Security+ and Cisco CyberOps are highly respected in the cybersecurity industry and can help individuals advance their careers.
