Two of the most popular cybersecurity certifications are CompTIA Security+ and EC-Council's CEH — and people often ask which to earn first. The short answer: they serve different purposes, and for most beginners, the order matters. Here's how to choose.
Part of our complete CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 guide.
Quick answer: Security+ is a broad, foundational, vendor-neutral certification — ideal as a first cybersecurity credential. CEH is more specialized, focusing on offensive ethical hacking. For most people, Security+ comes first, then CEH to specialize.
What each certification is
- CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) — a vendor-neutral foundation covering threats, architecture, operations, and governance. Broad and defensive-leaning.
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) — EC-Council's offensive-focused certification teaching how to think and act like an attacker across 20 domains, with hands-on labs and (in v13) AI content.
Key differences
| Aspect | Security+ (SY0-701) | CEH v13 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Broad security foundations | Offensive ethical hacking |
| Level | Entry-level | Intermediate / specialized |
| Orientation | Defensive + general | Offensive (attacker mindset) |
| Format | MCQ + PBQs, 90 min | 125 MCQ, 4 hrs (+ optional practical) |
| Best for | First security cert | Moving into ethical hacking |
Which should you take first?
- Security+ first if you're new to cybersecurity and want a broad, widely recognized foundation that's accepted for many entry-level roles (and required for many DoD roles).
- CEH next once you have the fundamentals and want to specialize in ethical hacking and penetration testing.
The common, proven path is Security+ → CEH: build the foundation, then specialize. They complement rather than compete.
Do they overlap?
There's some conceptual overlap — both cover threats and core security — but the orientation differs sharply. Security+ is broad and foundational; CEH is offensive and hands-on. Earning both gives you a strong, well-rounded profile that appeals to a wide range of employers.
Get both at the best price
You can build the full path right here:
- Start with Security+ → lowest-priced Security+ voucher + free mock exam
- Then move to CEH v13 → explore the CEH v13 packages
Prefer to study before booking? Begin with CertMaster Study for Security+.
The bottom line
Neither is "better" — they answer different questions. Security+ proves you understand security broadly; CEH proves you can think like an attacker. Start with Security+ for the foundation and recognition, then add CEH to specialize. Both are available here at strong value, so you can plan your whole path in one place.
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