TMS Learn
Build job-ready security skills from fundamentals to leadership. Each stage lists the certifications, why they matter and how they align to roles.
| Outcome | What you gain |
|---|---|
| Job readiness | Vendor‑neutral skills recognized by employers for SOC, IR, and security engineering. |
| Career mobility | Clear path from IT support → Analyst → Engineer/Architect → Leadership. |
| Cloud & zero trust | Modern controls for hybrid cloud, identity-first security, and automation. |
Salary snapshots (US): Beginner $70,000–$110,000 • Intermediate $115,000–$180,000 • Advanced $175,000–$285,000+ (ranges synthesized from BLS OEWS 2023 and current market estimates).
Do you need to complete all certifications at a level? No. Treat each level as a set of options. Start with one core certification, then add another based on your background and target role.
| Level | Typical Expectation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 1–2 certifications | Often Security+ as the core. Add A+ or Network+ if brand new to IT. |
| Intermediate | 1–2 certifications | Pick based on specialization—CySA+ for blue team; PenTest+ or CEH for red team; Cloud+ for hybrid/cloud. |
| Advanced | 1 primary certification | Choose a marquee credential like CISSP, CASP+, or AWS Security depending on the destination role. |
ITF+ → A+ → Network+ → Security+ → CySA+
A+ → Network+ → Security+ → PenTest+ → CEH
Security+ → CySA+ → CASP+ → CISSP
Security+ → AWS Cloud Practitioner → AWS Security – Specialty
Establishes baseline digital literacy—hardware, software, networks, security basics.
Role alignment: Prepares newcomers for entry-level IT support or student/SOC internship tracks by ensuring core concepts.
Hands-on support skills: endpoints, troubleshooting, OS, basic security hygiene.
Role alignment: Maps to Help Desk / Junior Technician roles and builds the endpoint security mindset needed in SOC teams.
Foundational networking: TCP/IP, routing/switching, wireless, troubleshooting.
Role alignment: Directly supports Network/SOC Tier‑1 roles that monitor and triage network-centric alerts.
Core security domains: risk, identity, cryptography, threats, architecture, operations.
Role alignment: Recognized baseline for Security Analyst and SOC roles across government and enterprise employers.
Intro credential validating secure network practices and basic defense concepts.
Role alignment: Adds credibility for internship and junior security operations opportunities.
Threat detection, SIEM, incident response, threat hunting, and vulnerability management.
Role alignment: Maps to SOC Analyst Tier‑2/Threat Hunter roles focused on detection engineering and IR playbooks.
Ethical hacking methodology, exploitation, reporting, and remediation guidance.
Role alignment: Aligns to Penetration Tester / Red Team roles and improves blue‑team adversary emulation understanding.
Secure cloud architecture, automation, and operations across multi‑cloud environments.
Role alignment: Supports Cloud Security Analyst/Engineer roles where hybrid infrastructure is in scope.
Common attack vectors, tools, and countermeasures with an ethical hacking focus.
Role alignment: Complements PenTest+/IR roles and strengthens red/blue collaboration outcomes.
Network architecture, segmentation, and device security fundamentals.
Role alignment: Relevant to Network Security Engineer and SOC roles monitoring perimeter/segmentation controls.
Security leadership across eight domains: governance, risk, architecture, software security, and more.
Role alignment: Signals architect/lead readiness—Security Architect, GRC Lead, or future CISO track.
Hands-on enterprise security engineering, integration, and operations at scale.
Role alignment: Ideal for Senior Security Engineer/Architect roles in complex hybrid/cloud environments.
Designing and automating controls, threat detection, and IR on AWS workloads.
Role alignment: Maps to Cloud Security Architect/Engineer and SecDevOps leadership roles.
Advanced network security design, VPN/Zero Trust, segmentation, and automation.
Role alignment: Targets Network Security Architect / Senior Engineer roles in enterprise networks.
Ranges are synthesized from reputable public sources. Explore current details here: