By Quick answer: What is the best cybersecurity certification for a beginner?
- Start — Google Cybersecurity or ISC2 CC.
- Foundations — IT support (A+) and networking (Network+).
- First job exam — CompTIA Security+.
- Network route — Cisco CCNA.
Key takeaways
- Most security analysts start in IT support or networking; that route works.
- Security+ is the exam that turns study into interviews.
- Practise in a home lab; interviewers ask what you've done.
Most people don't start in security on day one; they start in IT and move across. These seven certifications are arranged as a beginner's path: a no-experience credential to start, IT and networking foundations, then Security+ as the first exam that gets you hired.
Seven beginner security picks
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Cybersecurity Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 6 months at 7 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page2 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams4 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 5 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store5 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 6 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store6 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 7 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page7 | Check issuer | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Practice TestPractise for ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) before you pay.Start free test →
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA A+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA A+ before you pay.Start free test →
Each pick, in the order beginners take them
- CourseraGoogle Cybersecurity Professional CertificateTotal beginners$49/mo Coursera plan
- ISC2ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)A no-experience credentialSee ISC2 page
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateIT basics first$49/mo Coursera plan
Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 6 months at 7 hours a week
Built for people with no experience: Python, Linux, SQL and SIEM tools over about six months at seven hours a week. Google's professional certificate teaches security basics with Python, Linux, SQL and SIEM tools through hands-on labs. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at seven hours a week and offers financial aid.
Best fortotal beginners
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page2
- Entry
- No work experience required
A real credential from the CISSP's issuer with no experience requirement. Check ISC2's page for current free-exam offers. ISC2's entry credential covers security principles, access control, networks and operations, with no work experience required. It's ANAB-accredited, and ISC2 has run promotions offering free training and exams.
Best fora no-experience credential
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
The gentlest start in tech: troubleshooting, networking, operating systems and security basics. Google's professional certificate covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security for complete beginners. It takes three to six months at about ten hours a week, with financial aid on Coursera.
Best forIT basics first
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams4
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
Two exams covering hardware, software and support. A common first IT job credential. CompTIA's A+ is two exams covering hardware, operating systems, networking basics and support. It's the help desk credential many job posts name, is ANAB-accredited, and CompTIA recommends about a year of hands-on support experience.
Best forIT support foundations
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store5
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
Networking foundations every security role needs. CompTIA recommends some networking experience, so pair it with labs. CompTIA's Network+ covers networking concepts, infrastructure, operations and troubleshooting in a 90-minute exam. It's vendor-neutral and ANAB-accredited; CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience.
Best fornetworking
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store6
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
The standard first security credential, in many entry-level analyst posts. Book it when practice tests are consistently strong. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forthe first security job
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page7
Cisco's associate credential for networking and security fundamentals, a strong route into network security. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetwork security
Your first year in cybersecurity
- Months 1–3 — Google Cybersecurity or ISC2 CC; set up a home lab.
- Months 4–6 — Network+ study and labs; apply for IT support roles.
- Months 7–9 — Security+ study; take Science of Apps' free Security+ practice test.
- Months 10–12 — pass Security+ and apply for SOC analyst roles.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications with no formal experience requirement and ordered them as a beginner's path from IT basics to a first security job. Fees and formats come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cybersecurity certification for beginners?
Google Cybersecurity or ISC2 CC to start, then CompTIA Security+ as the first job-ready exam.
Can I get into cybersecurity with no experience?
Yes, but most people start in IT support or a SOC. Combine a beginner credential, Security+ and a home lab.
Do I need coding for cybersecurity?
Basic Python and Linux help in most roles. Google Cybersecurity teaches both from scratch.
Security+ or CCNA first?
Security+ for security analyst roles; CCNA for network-focused roles. Many people take Network+ or CCNA first.
Is there a free beginner cybersecurity test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free cybersecurity tests that show which topics you still need.
Sources
- Google — Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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