Your first cert.
Your next career move.
Pick a direction. Follow the steps. See the work you can aim for along the way.
10 paths through widely recognised certifications — a curated starting point, not a popularity ranking.
Job titles are career targets alongside practical experience, not guarantees. You can skip optional starting steps if you already have the skills.
IT support
Start here if you are brand new to IT.
Start here
CompTIA A+
Aim forHelp desk technician
Build networking skills
CompTIA Network+
Aim forIT support technician
Add security skills
CompTIA Security+
Aim forSecurity-aware IT support
Build troubleshooting experience between exams. A+ covers two exams; the sequence shown is a learning recommendation.
Networking
Connect, troubleshoot, and manage business networks.
Start here
CompTIA Network+
Aim forNetwork support technician
Build practical skills
Cisco CCNA
Aim forJunior network administrator
Advance with experience
CCNP Enterprise
Aim forNetwork engineer
CCNA is useful preparation, not a requirement for CCNP. CCNP Enterprise requires its core exam plus one concentration exam.
Cybersecurity defence
A practical route toward a security operations centre.
Start with networks
CompTIA Network+
Aim forNetwork / IT support
Learn security foundations
CompTIA Security+
Aim forJunior security analyst
Build investigation skills
CompTIA CySA+
Aim forSOC analyst
Learn operating systems and networking first, then practise analysing logs, alerts, and incidents. These arrows show preparation, not mandatory prior certifications.
AWS cloud
Build and design systems on Amazon Web Services.
Start here · AWS
Cloud Practitioner
Aim forCloud-aware support roles
Build AWS projects
Solutions Architect Associate
Aim forJunior cloud engineer
Advance with experience
Solutions Architect Professional
Aim forCloud solutions architect
Foundational study helps beginners; AWS does not make training mandatory. Professional-level work calls for substantial hands-on architecture experience.
Microsoft Azure
A clear route from cloud basics to architecture.
Start here · AZ-900
Azure Fundamentals
Aim forCloud-aware IT support
Build skills · AZ-104
Azure Administrator Associate
Aim forAzure administrator
Advance · AZ-305
Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Aim forAzure solutions architect
Azure Administrator Associate + AZ-305 are required for Azure Solutions Architect Expert. AZ-900 is optional preparation; the prerequisite is for earning Expert, not sitting AZ-305.
Google Cloud
Operate cloud services, then move into solution design.
Start here
Cloud Digital Leader
Aim forCloud-aware business / support roles
Build hands-on skills
Associate Cloud Engineer
Aim forCloud engineer
Advance with experience
Professional Cloud Architect
Aim forCloud architect
Associate Cloud Engineer and Professional Cloud Architect have no formal prerequisites. Google recommends hands-on experience before both exams.
Linux & automation
Manage Linux systems, then automate them.
Skills & labs · not a cert
Linux fundamentals
Aim forFoundation for IT support
Start certification · EX200
Red Hat RHCSA
Aim forLinux systems administrator
Advance · EX294
RHCE in Ansible
Aim forLinux automation engineer
RHCSA plus the Ansible exam (EX294) earns RHCE in Ansible. Prepare with Linux administration and Ansible training or comparable work experience.
Kubernetes & platform engineering
Run containers, then secure the platform.
Skills & labs · not a cert
Linux + container labs
Aim forFoundation for cloud operations
Certified Kubernetes Administrator
CKA
Aim forKubernetes / platform administrator
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist
CKS
Aim forKubernetes security engineer
You must have passed CKA before attempting CKS. Add real cluster administration and security practice between the two.
Security leadership
A longer-term route from first principles to senior security work.
Start here · CC
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity
Aim forJunior security / IT support
Career stage · not a cert
Security work experience
Aim forSecurity analyst / engineer
Advance with experience
CISSP
Aim forSenior security / security lead
CISSP normally requires five years across two domains; an approved qualification can waive one year. You can pass the exam first and become an Associate of ISC2 while gaining experience. CC is not required.
IT project management
For people who want to coordinate and lead delivery.
Start here
CAPM
Aim forProject coordinator
Career stage · not a cert
Lead project work
Aim forJunior project manager
Advance with experience
PMP
Aim forProject manager
CAPM: secondary education, age 18+, and 23 hours of project-management education. PMP: qualifying education, project-leadership experience, and training (or CAPM). CAPM does not replace the experience requirement.
Choose one path. Build something real.
Pair exam study with labs and small projects. Before booking, check the linked vendor requirements and the current exam edition. These paths are independent guidance; not every certification shown has a question bank in the app.
Requirements checked October 3, 2026. Vendor policies can change.
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