Introducing the CompTIA Career Pathways

A vendor-neutral pathway for IT professionals to achieve infrastructure and cybersecurity mastery, from beginning to end.

Core Skills Certifications

CompTIA’s core IT skills certifications level the playing field and lay the foundation for a successful career in IT, no matter what path you take.

Infrastructure Pathway

IT infrastructure is the bedrock of IT operations and necessary for any business to function.

Cybersecurity Pathway

The CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway helps technical specialists achieve cybersecurity mastery, from beginning to end.

Additional Certifications

CompTIA’s professional skills certifications cover versatile skillsets that help take your career to the next level.

In general, the pathways follow a hierarchy of skills needed for a career in IT security or infrastructure; each certification builds upon the skills from the previous one. CompTIA certifications mirror the current job roles of IT professionals, so it makes sense to earn these certifications to gain the knowledge and hands-on skills currently being used in the workforce, whether you have job experience or not.

If you are an IT professional or an employer, you understand the value of on-the-job experience. IT certifications are a great place to start, but they are not a replacement. If you have CompTIA certifications and on-the-job experience, you have the best of both worlds.

Certification	Competencies	Job Roles
CompTIA A+	Identify cybersecurity threats Configure operating system security Understand security best practices Troubleshoot common security issues	Technical Support Specialist Field Service Technician IT Support Technician IT Administrator
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)	Conceptualize, engineer, integrate and implement secure solutions across complex environments Translate business needs into security requirements Analyze risk impact and respond to security incidents	Cybersecurity/IS Professional Information Security Analyst Security Architect IT Specialist INFOSEC
CompTIA Cloud Essentials+	Explain cloud principles, identify cloud networking concepts and storage techniques, and understand cloud design aspects Comprehend the financial aspects of engaging a cloud provider, as well as the business aspects of managing vendor relations in cloud adoption. Explain aspects of operating within the cloud, such as data management, availability, and monitoring Understand how DevOps plays a role in cloud environments, such as with provisioning or API integration Understand risk management concepts related to cloud services and identify the importance and impacts of compliance in the cloud	Business Development staff that sell cloud services Technical Sales Specialist Business Analysts Business Process Owners Technical Support Staff
CompTIA Cloud+	Analyze system requirements to execute workload migrations. Determine proper allocation of cloud resources based on performance data. Apply appropriate technologies and processes, including automation and orchestration. Implement appropriate security controls given the requirements. Troubleshoot issues related to cloud implementations.	Systems Engineer Network Administrator Network Engineer Cloud Developer Cloud Project Manager Cloud Engineer Data Center Manager Cloud Business Analyst
CompTIA CTT+	Validates your skills in a traditional or virtual classroom environment Ensures you can teach effectively and step up to the front of the class with confidence Demonstrates that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare, present, facilitate and evaluate a training session	Training Consultant Training Developer/Instructor Career Technical Training Instructor Academic Instructor
CompTIA CySA+	Configure and use threat detection tools Perform data analysis Interpret results to identify vulnerabilities, threats and risk	Security Analyst Vulnerability Analyst Cybersecurity Specialist Security Engineer
CompTIA Data+
CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)	Install software Establish basic network connectivity Identify/prevent basic security risks Explain troubleshooting theory and preventative maintenance of devices	Sales Associate Account Manager Marketing Specialist Customer Support
CompTIA Linux+	Configure kernel modules, network parameters and virtualization technologies Manage software and services Understand best practices for permissions and authentication Analyze system properties and processes Troubleshoot user, application and hardware issues Execute basic BASH scripts	Linux Administrator Network Administrator Technical Support Specialist Web Administrator Systems Administrator
CompTIA Network+	Understand networking services and applications Use appropriate network monitoring tools Understand network security vulnerabilities and remedies	Network Administrator IS Consultant Network Field Engineer
CompTIA PenTest+	Plan and scope an assessment Understand legal and compliance requirements Perform vulnerability scanning and penetration testing Analyze data and effectively report and communicate results	Penetration Tester Vulnerability Tester Security Analyst (II) Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
CompTIA Project+	Summarize the properties of the project, phases, schedules, roles and responsibilities, and cost controls, as well as identify the basic aspects of Agile methodology. Predict the impact of various constraint variables and influences throughout the project and explain the importance of risk strategies and activities. Understand appropriate communication methods of influence and use change control processes within the context of a project. Compare and contrast various project management tools and analyze project and partner-centric documentation.	Project Coordinator/Manager Project Team Member Business Analyst Manager Director Team Leader
CompTIA Security+	Understand network security Identify and mitigate security threats Understand application, data, and host security issues Implement access control and identity management	Security Specialist Security Consultant Security Engineer Security Administrator
CompTIA Server+	Understand, configure and support server components Support storage devices technologies Apply physical and network data security techniques Understand disaster recovery and implement backup techniques Diagnose and resolve system security issues	Server Support Technician Server Administrator IT/Server Technician Storage Administrator