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What Is the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) Certification? 2026 Guide
Learn more about this popular entry-level credential and how to earn it.
August 10, 2021
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Explore articles about IT career advancement, certifications, and specialized skills. Learn about network administrator and cybersecurity roles, CompTIA certifications, cloud computing, and how to advance your IT career.

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Skills you'll gain: Scope Management, Cost Management, Project Schedules, Budget Management, Project Scoping, Procurement, Project Risk Management, IT Management, Project Management, Change Control, Software Development Methodologies, Project Management Software, Vendor Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Systems Development Life Cycle, Change Management, Risk Management, Communication Strategies, Quality Assurance, Stakeholder Engagement
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Ready to take the next step up from your entry-level IT role? As a mid-level or advanced IT professional, you may be ready to focus on an industry niche such as InfoSec, cybersecurity, or business IT. You may also be considering IT management or digital product management roles. Explore our free resources as you map out the next steps in your IT career:
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IT project managers typically have strong project management skills, like project planning, risk assessment, budgeting, and more. A technical background isn’t always required, but it can be beneficial.
Read more: What is a Technical Project Manager? (How to Become One)
Organizations in various sectors and industries are in critical need of improved cybersecurity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 32 percent growth information security analyst hiring from 2022-2032*. Cybersecurity jobs include security systems administrator, penetration tester, security engineer, and cryptography engineer.
Read more: 10 Cybersecurity Jobs: Entry-Level and Beyond
*US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Outloook Handbook: Information Security Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm." Accessed
A background in technology is required knowledge for a wide range of in-demand jobs in computer science, including software developers, data scientists, data engineers, and information technology (IT) administrators. If you want to do truly cutting-edge work in this field, you can also pursue a career as a computer and information research scientist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these highly-educated and highly-paid experts typically have a master’s degree in computer science, and earn a median annual salary of $122,840 per year.
However, you don’t have to pursue a career in computer science to benefit from a background in technology. Technology has become increasingly important in the fields of medicine, manufacturing, logistics, and even agriculture. It’s also critical context for CEOs, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, who may not need to work directly with technology themselves but must keep abreast of emerging opportunities for innovative new business models and products.

