If you've spent more than five minutes researching how to break into cybersecurity, you've probably been told to "go get your Security+." It's become the default advice that gets thrown around like confetti at a New Year's party. But here's the thing - just because everyone says it doesn't mean it's the right move for you.
I've seen plenty of folks who got their Security+ and still couldn't land that first cyber job. I've also seen people break into the field without it. So what's the deal? Let's cut through the noise and figure out if this certification is actually worth your time and money.
What Security+ Actually Teaches You
The Security+ covers a mile-wide, inch-deep view of cybersecurity. You'll learn about network security, cryptography, risk management, incident response, and compliance. It's designed to give you a foundational understanding of security concepts that apply across the entire field.
Here's what Security+ will teach you that actually matters: basic networking concepts, fundamental security principles, and the vocabulary that gets thrown around in security meetings. You'll understand what people mean when they talk about CIA triad, defense in depth, and risk assessment frameworks.
What it won't teach you: how to actually detect threats, write detection rules, analyze malware, or perform any of the technical work that makes cybersecurity interesting. It's theory-heavy and practice-light, which is both its strength and its biggest weakness.
When Security+ Actually Helps
There are specific scenarios where Security+ genuinely opens doors. If you're targeting government work or contractors that support government clients, Security+ is often a hard requirement. The Department of Defense mandates it for certain roles, and many contractors won't even look at your resume without it.
It's also helpful if you're coming from a completely non-technical background. If you've never touched networking, don't know what TCP/IP means, and have zero exposure to security concepts, Security+ provides a structured way to learn the basics. It's like cybersecurity 101 - not exciting, but foundational.
For career changers from other IT roles, Security+ can signal to employers that you're serious about moving into security. It shows you've invested time and effort into learning the field, even if the knowledge is surface-level.
When Security+ Is a Waste of Time
If you already have a technical background and you're targeting private sector roles, Security+ might be overkill. Many companies care more about what you can actually do than what certifications you hold. They'd rather see a portfolio of detection rules, incident response walkthroughs, or vulnerability assessments than a piece of paper saying you memorized security frameworks.
If you're trying to break into specialized areas like detection engineering, threat hunting, or red teaming, Security+ won't give you much of an edge. Hiring managers for these roles want to see technical skills, not broad foundational knowledge. They're looking for people who can write YARA rules, analyze packet captures, or build custom tooling.
The biggest issue is that Security+ can give you false confidence. You might think you understand cybersecurity after passing the exam, but you're really just scratching the surface. It's like thinking you can cook because you watched a few episodes of MasterChef.
The Real Cost-Benefit Analysis
Let's be honest about what Security+ costs. The exam is around $370, but that's just the beginning. You'll probably spend money on study materials, maybe a boot camp or online course. Factor in the time cost - most people study for 2-3 months. That's 100+ hours you could spend building actual technical skills.
Compare that to spending the same time building a home lab, contributing to open-source security tools, or working through hands-on detection engineering challenges. Which do you think will be more impressive to a hiring manager - a Security+ certificate or a GitHub repository full of custom detection rules you've written and tested?
The opportunity cost is real. Every hour you spend memorizing security frameworks is an hour you're not spending learning to use Splunk, analyzing malware samples, or building automation scripts.
Alternative Paths That Actually Work
Instead of rushing into Security+, consider building practical skills first. Set up a home lab and learn to use the tools that security professionals actually use. Get comfortable with SIEM platforms, learn basic scripting, understand how to read network traffic.
If you want to stand out, focus on a specific area rather than trying to be a generalist. Pick detection engineering, incident response, or vulnerability management and go deep. Build projects that demonstrate your skills in that area. Document your learning process and share it publicly.
Network with people who are already working in the roles you want. Join security communities, attend local meetups, participate in online forums. These connections are often more valuable than any certification.
How EpicDetect Can Help
This is exactly why we built EpicDetect differently. Instead of pushing you toward generic advice like "go get your Security+," we focus on building the technical skills that actually matter in cybersecurity roles. Our platform emphasizes hands-on detection engineering, threat hunting, and incident response - the stuff that hiring managers actually care about.
We're rapidly growing because people are tired of the same old certification-first approach that leaves them with knowledge but no practical skills. Our focus is on building the technical capabilities that actually matter in security work, not just checking boxes on a resume.
That said, we recognize that some people do need Security+ for compliance or foundational knowledge. That's why we're launching a Security+ path on our Learn platform soon - but with a twist. Instead of just drilling you on test questions, we'll show you how the concepts actually apply in real security work. You'll study for the exam while building practical skills that transfer to the job.
Whether you decide to pursue Security+ or skip it entirely, focus on becoming someone who can solve real security problems. That's what the industry needs, and that's what we're here to help you achieve.
