Your First Cybersecurity Certification: Where to Start
Cybersecurity is a wide field, and many beginners worry that they must already be an expert to start. You do not. A few entry-level certifications are designed for people with little or no experience. This guide compares them, suggests an order and shows what the jobs they point to can pay.
Entry-level options at a glance
| Exam | Level | Practice tests | Questions | Per test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) | Entry level | 5 | 500 | 100 questions, 120 min |
| Cisco Certified Support Technician Cybersecurity (100-160) | Entry level | 5 | 250 | 50 questions, 50 min |
| CompTIA SecAI+ (CY0-001) | Intermediate | 5 | 300 | 60 questions, 60 min |
| ISACA Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals Certificate | Foundational | 5 | 275 | 55 questions, 120 min |
Figures are for the practice-test sets on this site. Check the provider’s own page for the real exam format.
| Exam | Best for | Focus | Good next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISC2 CC | Career changers and students wanting a broad start | Security principles, access control, network security and operations | A hands-on security role, then a more advanced security exam |
| Cisco CCST Cybersecurity | People heading toward networking and Cisco environments | Essential security concepts, threats, endpoint and network security | A networking or security associate-level exam |
| CompTIA SecAI+ | People who already know security basics | How AI changes security risks and defence | Security analyst roles that use AI tools |
| ISACA AI Fundamentals | Audit, risk and governance people | AI concepts, risks and controls | Governance, risk and audit certifications |
Which one first?
If you want the widest introduction with no vendor focus, ISC2 CC is a natural start. If you expect to work around networks and Cisco products, the Cisco CCST is a better fit. Many learners take one, then add the other, since the topics overlap and the second becomes easier.
- Learn the basicsNetworking, operating systems, common attacks.
- Take your first examISC2 CC or Cisco CCST Cybersecurity.
- Build something smallA home lab or a written investigation.
- Apply for entry rolesJunior analyst, SOC tier 1, IT support with security duties.
- Go deeperSpecialise in cloud, governance or AI security.
What to learn alongside the exam
- Basic networking: IP addresses, ports, DNS and how traffic moves.
- Operating system basics for Windows and Linux.
- Common attacks such as phishing, malware and password attacks, and how defenders respond.
- How to read a simple log and describe what happened.
From certificate to first role
Roles often named for beginners include junior security analyst, SOC analyst (tier 1) and IT support with security duties. A certificate helps show you have the fundamentals, but employers also look for curiosity and practice, so add a small home lab or a written write-up of something you investigated.
United States median annual wage, May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Outlook Handbook). A guide only: pay in other countries differs.
Security roles in the data above are the broad occupation of information security analysts. Entry roles usually start nearer the lower end, and pay varies by country. See our security analyst role page for the full range and the certifications that appear most often.
Common beginner questions
- Do I need a degree? Not for the entry certifications. Many employers value practical skills and certifications together.
- Do I need to code? Not to start. Basic scripting becomes useful as you grow.
- How long does it take? Many learners prepare for an entry exam in four to eight weeks of steady study.
See the full cybersecurity career path for the order we suggest, from entry level to cloud security.
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