(ISC)² CC and CompTIA Security+ are both entry-level security certifications, but they come from different credentialing bodies and serve different purposes. CC is the (ISC)² entry point leading toward CISSP, while Security+ is the industry standard for DoD 8570 compliance and broad security validation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| (ISC)² CC | CompTIA Security+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | (ISC)² | CompTIA |
| Exam Code | CC | SY0-701 |
| Level | Entry-level | Entry-level |
| Cost | $199 | $404 |
| Duration | 120 min | 90 min |
| Questions | 100 | Up to 90 |
| Passing Score | 700/1000 | 750/900 |
| Renewal | 3 years | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | None required; no experience needed | None required; CompTIA Network+ and two years of IT administration experience recommended |
| Avg Salary Range | $50,000–$75,000 | $65,000–$95,000 |
Focus Areas
(ISC)² CC
Security principles, business continuity, disaster recovery, access controls, network security, and security operations fundamentals
CompTIA Security+
General security concepts, threats, vulnerabilities, architecture, security operations, and security program management and oversight
Who Should Get Which?
Get (ISC)² CC if...
Career changers with zero IT experience who want the easiest entry into cybersecurity, or those specifically planning to pursue CISSP and want to start within the (ISC)² ecosystem
Get CompTIA Security+ if...
IT professionals who need the most widely recognized entry-level security certification, DoD/government employees, or anyone wanting the broadest career flexibility from a single cert
Recommended Order
Start with CC if you have no IT background at all and need a confidence-building first cert. Start with Security+ if you have any IT experience, as it has stronger industry recognition and satisfies more compliance requirements.
Study Tips
CC is significantly easier than Security+ with fewer questions and a narrower scope. If you can handle Security+, skip CC entirely. If you start with CC, about 40% of the material transfers directly to Security+ study. Both exams cover access controls, cryptography basics, and security operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between (ISC)² CC and CompTIA Security+?
(ISC)² CC and CompTIA Security+ are both entry-level security certifications, but they come from different credentialing bodies and serve different purposes. CC is the (ISC)² entry point leading toward CISSP, while Security+ is the industry standard for DoD 8570 compliance and broad security validation.
Should I get (ISC)² CC or CompTIA Security+ first?
Start with CC if you have no IT background at all and need a confidence-building first cert. Start with Security+ if you have any IT experience, as it has stronger industry recognition and satisfies more compliance requirements.
Who should get (ISC)² CC?
Career changers with zero IT experience who want the easiest entry into cybersecurity, or those specifically planning to pursue CISSP and want to start within the (ISC)² ecosystem
Who should get CompTIA Security+?
IT professionals who need the most widely recognized entry-level security certification, DoD/government employees, or anyone wanting the broadest career flexibility from a single cert
Test Your Knowledge
Already studying? Try our free tools:
- Security+ Practice Quiz — 300 questions mapped to SY0-701 domains
- CVSS Calculator — Practice scoring vulnerabilities
Deep Dive Guides
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