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CompTIA A+ vs. Security+: What’s the Difference?
Explore the key differences between CompTIA A+ and Security+, two widely recognized entry-level IT certifications.
March 17, 2025
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Explore articles about information technology, IT support, and technology systems. Learn about IT career paths, essential skills and qualifications, and how to help keep organizational technology running smoothly.

Explore popular IT support courses
Skills you'll gain: Desktop Support, Package and Software Management, Technical Support and Services, Computer Hardware, Technical Support, Software Installation, System Support, Network Support, General Networking, Help Desk Support, Technical Documentation, Hardware Troubleshooting, Software Documentation, Customer Support, End User Training and Support, Computer Networking, Information Technology, Technical Writing, Computer Systems, Linux
★ 4.8 (165K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Computer Hardware, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Systems Administration, Generative Model Architectures, Authorization (Computing), Enterprise Application Management, Cloud Services, Computer Networking, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Hardware Architecture, General Networking, Microsoft Teams, Authentications, Firewall, Hardening, Security Controls, Problem Management, Computing Platforms, Cloud Computing, Network Protocols
★ 4.7 (1.6K) · Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Desktop Support, Help Desk Support, Technical Support and Services, Technical Support, Computer Security Incident Management, Network Support, Microsoft Windows, Security Controls, Information Systems Security, System Support, End User Training and Support, Security Management, Network Troubleshooting, Operating System Administration, Information Technology Operations, Hardware Troubleshooting, Software Installation, System Configuration, Systems Administration, IT Service Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
In today's data-driven world, professionals skilled in IT disciplines are in high demand across many industries. A career in this fast-growing field provides opportunities to use technical skills to drive meaningful business impact. Explore the diverse career paths, essential skills, and job types within IT to start your journey in this exciting and rewarding domain.
Interested in entry-level IT? Learn what information technology is and common entry-level roles.
Interested in CompTIA A+? Read about the CompTIA A+ certification, and explore other certifications for IT professionals.
Interested in solutions and support? Dive into a solutions engineer's daily work and learn more about what a technical support engineer does.
Ready to start learning? Explore our catalog of IT support, CompTIA A+, and technical support courses for beginners and experienced professionals.
Though this depends on the role, many entry-level IT positions request some knowledge of operating systems, computer security, networking principles, and troubleshooting. If you want to go into software or web development, a versatile and popular programming language like Python can be good to learn.
If you’re stuck, try finding a few positions you’re interested in on a job search website to see what skills are commonly requested.
Typically, an IT certification refers to a qualification you receive that shows your competency in a specific field of information technology (IT). To get a certification, you generally must pass an exam that tests your capabilities and skills in the field.
IT courses on Coursera are structured to accommodate learners at various levels:

