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Certification atlas

Certification atlas

Use certifications to organize knowledge and improve hiring signals. Use labs, projects, and work to prove the skill behind them.

New to ITSupport → network → security

A+ or CCST IT Support can establish context before Network+ and Security+.

Already working in ITStart at the real gap

Skip A+ when experience already demonstrates it; assess networking before specializing.

Before using the mapHow to read certification sequence, course labels, and lifecycle changes
01Suggested sequence, not vendor prerequisites

Arrows describe useful knowledge order. Cisco, for example, lists no formal CCNP Enterprise prerequisite even though prior experience is typical.

02Credentials and courses stay distinct

TryHackMe Jr Penetration Tester and PEN-100 are labeled learning paths or courses—not silently presented as proctored certifications.

03Lifecycle changes remain visible

Retiring options stay on the map with a warning and successor instead of disappearing from your history.

Certification map

All 22 atlas options. Arrows show suggested learning order, not exam prerequisites. Dashed lines connect alternatives or additional practice. Muted cards have resources and a tracker, with no built-in lessons.

Common starting points
A+, Net+, Sec+

Swipe or scroll to explore. With a keyboard, focus the map and use the arrow keys.

  • CCST Net suggests CCNA as a possible next step.
  • Net+ suggests CCNA as a possible next step.
  • CCNA suggests CCNP as a possible next step.
  • Sec+ suggests CySA+ as a possible next step.
  • CySA+ suggests SecurityX as a possible next step.
  • PEN-100 suggests OSCP+ as a possible next step.
  • THM Jr suggests OSCP+ as a possible next step.
  • AWS CCP suggests AWS SAA as a possible next step.
  • AZ-104 suggests AZ-500 as a possible next step.
  • AZ-500 suggests SC-500 as a possible next step.
  • A+ suggests Net+ as a possible next step.
  • CCST IT suggests Net+ as a possible next step.
  • Net+ suggests Sec+ as a possible next step.
  • Sec+ suggests PenTest+ as a possible next step.
  • Sec+ suggests THM Jr as a possible next step.
  • Sec+ suggests PEN-100 as a possible next step.
  • CySA+ suggests CISSP as a possible next step.
  • A+ suggests Linux+ as a possible next step.
  • A+ suggests MD-102 as a possible next step.
  • Linux+ suggests AWS CCP as a possible next step.
  • Linux+ suggests AZ-104 as a possible next step.
  • MD-102 suggests SC-300 as a possible next step.
  • A+ and CCST IT are alternative paths.
  • Net+ and CCST Net are alternative paths.
  • SecurityX and CISSP are alternative paths.
  • PenTest+ can be combined with THM Jr practice.
  • THM Jr and PEN-100 are alternative paths.

These certifications are suggested starting points. Choose a certification if you also want an exam study plan. Browse certifications →

Courses and resource routes

Course and resource details

Guided courses include ITForMe lessons, checks, and review. Resources and trackers link to outside learning and help you record your work; they do not include a built-in certification course.

Compare available guided courses →
01

Enter and support IT

New learners build endpoint and troubleshooting context. Experienced workers can validate gaps and start farther right.

2 options in this lane. Scroll sideways to see them all.

CompTIAcertification
CompTIA A+220-1201 / 220-1202 · foundation

Endpoint, operating-system, support, and troubleshooting foundations.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

Ciscocertification
Cisco CCST IT Support100-140 · foundation

Entry-level end-user support, hardware, software, and operational skills.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

02

Build the network layer

Network+ is broad and vendor-neutral; CCST Networking is a Cisco-oriented foundation. CCNA goes deeper.

4 options in this lane. Scroll sideways to see them all.

Ciscocertification
Cisco CCST Networking100-150 · foundation

Entry-level network support and a Cisco-oriented bridge toward CCNA.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

Ciscocertification
Cisco CCNA200-301 v1.1 · associate

Network access, IP connectivity and services, security, and automation.

Guided course
Course details and topics →

Cisco has announced CCNA 200-301 v2.0 for February 3, 2027; the last day to take v1.1 is February 2, 2027. This bank remains mapped to v1.1 until its migration is reviewed.
Ciscocertification
Cisco CCNP Enterprise350-401 core + concentration · professional

Professional enterprise infrastructure, assurance, security, and automation.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

03

Defend and govern

Security+ is a baseline. CySA+ adds operations depth; SecurityX and CISSP belong later and serve different roles.

4 options in this lane. Scroll sideways to see them all.

CompTIAcertification
CompTIA Security+SY0-701 · foundation

Security concepts, architecture, operations, governance, and incident response.

Guided course
Course details and topics →

CompTIA expects Security+ V8 (SY0-801) to launch on or around November 17, 2026. SY0-701 remains available; its English exam retires June 11, 2027. This bank remains mapped to SY0-701 until its migration is reviewed.
CompTIAcertification
CompTIA CySA+CS0-004 · associate

Defensive analysis, detection, vulnerability management, and incident response.

Guided course
Course details and topics →

The native beta path targets CS0-004 and assumes networking and Security+-level foundations. It covers the 15 published parent objectives; detailed final-PDF coverage and independent review remain unverified. CS0-003 materials belong to the earlier release; CompTIA retires the English CS0-003 exam on December 22, 2026.
CompTIAcertification
CompTIA SecurityXCAS-005 · advanced

Advanced enterprise security architecture, operations, and engineering.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

SecurityX is the current name for the credential formerly called CASP+.
ISC2certification
ISC2 CISSPExam outline effective April 15, 2024 · advanced

Broad security leadership and engineering credential with an experience requirement.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

The current outline took effect April 15, 2024. ISC2 generally requires five years across two domains, with limited waiver rules; passing the exam alone does not confer full CISSP status.
04

Practice offensive security

Knowledge credentials and hands-on paths reinforce each other; a course completion is not presented as a proctored certification.

4 options in this lane. Scroll sideways to see them all.

CompTIAcertification
CompTIA PenTest+PT0-003 · associate

Vendor-neutral penetration-testing planning, tooling, attacks, and reporting.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

TryHackMelearning path
Jr Penetration Testerrebuilt learning path · foundation

Guided hands-on web, network, tooling, and penetration-testing exercises; room and module counts can change independently of certification exams.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

OffSeccourse
OffSec PEN-100Network Penetration Testing Essentials · foundation

Foundational Linux, networking, scripting, and security preparation.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

OffSeccertification
OffSec OSCP+OSCP+ exam / PEN-200 training · advanced

OSCP+ is the certification exam outcome; PEN-200 is OffSec's associated training course, not the credential name.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

Passing the current exam awards OSCP+ and the lifetime OSCP credential; OSCP+ itself has a renewal period. Verify OffSec's current policy before purchase.
05

Manage endpoints and identity

MD-102 covers endpoint administration. SC-300 adds identity and access depth that supports systems, cloud, and security work.

2 options in this lane. Scroll sideways to see them all.

Microsoftcertification
Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator AssociateMD-102 · associate

Deploy, secure, manage, and monitor Windows endpoints with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID.

Guided course
Course details and topics →

The July 24, 2026 skills remain the active English blueprint through October 26. Microsoft has announced an English-language update effective October 27, 2026; this route must be remapped at cutover.
Microsoftcertification
Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator AssociateSC-300 · associate

Manage workforce identities, authentication, application access, and identity governance in Microsoft Entra.

Guided course
Course details and topics →

The April 27, 2026 skills remain the active English blueprint through October 27. Microsoft has announced an English-language update effective October 28, 2026; this route must be remapped at cutover.
06

Add systems and cloud depth

Linux and cloud administration make security and networking knowledge operationally useful.

6 options in this lane. Scroll sideways to see them all.

AWScertification
AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerCLF-C02 · foundation

AWS cloud concepts, services, security, architecture, pricing, and support.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

AWScertification
AWS Solutions Architect – AssociateSAA-C03 · associate

Design secure, resilient, high-performing, and cost-optimized AWS architectures.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

Microsoftcertification
Azure Administrator AssociateAZ-104 · associate

Administer Azure identity, governance, storage, compute, and virtual networking.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

Microsoftcertification
Azure Security Engineer AssociateAZ-500 · associate

Azure security controls, posture, threat protection, and remediation.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

This credential and exam retired August 31, 2026. Existing achievements remain on Microsoft Learn transcripts; new learners should use SC-500.
Microsoftcertification
Cloud and AI Security Engineer AssociateSC-500 · associate

Cloud and AI security engineering across modern enterprise environments.

Resources and tracker
No built-in certification course

Microsoft's official credential page lists SC-500 as available to schedule and no longer labels it beta as of September 12, 2026.
22 tracked options · 6 learning lanesCatalog reviewed Aug 12, 2026. Provider details can change; every node links to its official page.