TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

Some of the best and most popular certifications in the IT industry are CompTIA certifications. But what can you do when you are starting out and have just passed the CompTIA Security+ exam? With the Security+ credential, but limited experience in information security, it may seem like you have to get other certifications in order to find a good job. But that isn’t the case. You can find great entry-level security jobs that you qualify for when you have a Security Plus certification.

Jobs You Qualify for with a CompTIA Security+ Certification

You may not be excited about an entry-level position. But when you are talking about the IT industry, the entry-level jobs can be a whole lot better than entry-level roles in other industries. Take a look at the following, to see what we mean.

Information Security Analyst

You’ll find Security Analysts in various security-related fields. Whether engineering security systems, working in data security, or in some other security area, analysts are needed. Typically, a security analyst will protect systems by installing firewalls and antivirus programs while also testing and monitoring network security.

This is an entry-level position, but it’s an important foundational job that can be built upon for years to come. This is a good way for individuals who want to do civilian security work to get started.

Systems Administrator

Systems administrators wear a lot of hats in the information security realm. Generally speaking, the big picture of the systems administrator role is an IT professional who is charged with planning, implementing, and maintaining computer and sever systems for an organization. That’s a very broad description – there are many specialized systems administrators who have more specific and unique roles within the information security field.

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers are the IT professionals who look for and identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s network security, exploit them to test the stability and security of the system, and then make recommendations for how to resolve the vulnerabilities. Penetration testers are considered to be vital in environments with a proactive cybersecurity strategy. Passing the Security+ certification exam will provide you with the basic knowledge that is needed to qualify for an entry-level pen testing job, and can be paired with additional training (like Certified Ethical Hacker certification) to advance to even more exciting and unique roles.

Military or Industrial Information Security Jobs

Information security, also called Infosec, is growing in its popularity and scope. It’s difficult to assign a specific job title for these military and specialized security jobs. However, despite not having specific titles, there is a demand for trained IT professionals to work in sensitive environments. This could involve anything from securing servers at large industrial corporations to working as a civilian contractor on a top-secret project on a military base. A quick look at the available jobs on usajobs.gov will show a bunch of Infosec job opportunities. This type of position can be exciting, requiring you to obtain top-secret clearance, and being privy to national or industrial secrets. It requires integrity and work, but can be a very lucrative career from the get-go.

Independent Contractor

There is a smaller market that you can utilize your CompTIA Security Plus certification to serve – small businesses or individuals who don’t want or need a large-scale security solution for their security issues. Sometimes that means they will put a security professional on retainer incase they suffer a cyber threat or attack. You can use your Security+ credential to get started with your own security business and work for other companies as an independent contractor. It’s a good way to be your own boss as well as helping smaller businesses who can’t afford to have a security solution with all the bells and whistles.

Final Thoughts about CompTIA Security+ Jobs

The Security Plus certification proves that you have a foundational knowledge of network security and that you have what it takes to secure an entry-level information security position. As you continue on your security career path, this certification will serve as a springboard for further training and more advanced roles and jobs. Having any CompTIA certification instantly makes you a more attractive candidate for security jobs than those candidates who don’t have it. Additionally, having the Security+ certification will make you a more well-rounded and knowledgeable IT professional no matter which technology career path you choose.