CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+: Which Certifications Matter Most for Long Island IT Jobs?
Quick Take If you’re starting an IT career on Long Island, three CompTIA certifications matter more than any others: A+, Network+, and Security+. A+ proves you understand hardware and basic troubleshooting. Network+ proves you can configure and support networks. Security+ proves you can protect systems from threats. Most entry-level IT jobs ask for at least one. The best ones ask for two. 91视频传媒’s Computer Technician Networking Specialist program is built around all three.
Why CompTIA Certifications Carry Weight
In IT hiring, certifications are how you prove you can do the work without needing a four-year degree.
CompTIA is the most widely recognized vendor-neutral certifying body in the industry. That matters because vendor-neutral means the skills transfer. A+, Network+, and Security+ aren’t tied to one company’s products. They prove you understand the fundamentals that apply whether the employer runs Microsoft, Cisco, Linux, or something else entirely.
For employers on Long Island, CompTIA certs are a shorthand. They tell a hiring manager “this person has been tested on the basics and passed.” That signal matters more than a r茅sum茅 claim ever could.
CompTIA A+: The Entry Point
A+ is the foundational IT certification. It covers hardware, software, troubleshooting, mobile devices, networking basics, virtualization, operating systems, and security fundamentals.
If you want to work in help desk, desktop support, field service, or as a junior technician, A+ is the cert most employers ask for first. It proves you can sit down at a broken machine and figure out what’s wrong.
The exam is split into two parts (Core 1 and Core 2), and you need to pass both to earn the cert. It’s the cert that gets your foot in the door at companies, schools, hospitals, and IT service providers across Long Island.
CompTIA Network+: The Networking Specialist Cert
Network+ is the next step up. It covers network architecture, network operations, network security, troubleshooting, and tools.
If you want to work as a network technician, network administrator, or move into roles supporting infrastructure rather than individual machines, Network+ is the cert that gets you there.
Network+ is especially valuable on Long Island because so many local employers run multi-site operations. Hospitals, school districts, law firms, and health care networks all need people who can configure routers, troubleshoot connectivity, and keep traffic flowing across locations. Network+ tells those employers you can handle it.
CompTIA Security+: The Cybersecurity Foundation
Security+ is where IT careers start getting serious about pay and demand.
It covers threat management, cryptography, identity and access management, risk management, and security architecture. It’s the baseline cert for anyone who wants to move into cybersecurity, which is one of the fastest-growing IT specialties in the country.
Security+ is also Department of Defense approved, which opens doors to government and contractor roles. On Long Island, with a heavy concentration of health care, financial services, and defense-adjacent employers, Security+ holders tend to find work fast.
Which Cert Should You Pursue First?
For most people starting out, the answer is A+ first, then Network+, then Security+. That’s the order CompTIA recommends, and it’s the order most IT careers naturally progress through.
But here’s the smarter play: Instead of treating these as three separate goals, train for all three at once in a structured program. The material overlaps. The networking concepts in A+ show up again in Network+. The security fundamentals in A+ and Network+ become the foundation of Security+. Studying them together cuts your total prep time and makes you a stronger candidate when you walk into an interview.
What 91视频传媒 Teaches in the Computer Technician Networking Specialist Program
91视频传媒’s Computer Technician Networking Specialist program is built to prepare students for entry-level IT careers on Long Island, with a curriculum designed around the skills CompTIA tests on.
The program covers PC hardware, operating systems, networking fundamentals, server administration, security concepts, and hands-on troubleshooting. Students get real lab experience, not just theory. By graduation, you’ve worked through the kinds of problems you’ll see on day one of an IT job.
The CTNS program is offered in person at both the Levittown and Medford campuses, with the curriculum aligned to industry-recognized certification paths.
Where 91视频传媒 Graduates Work on Long Island
Long Island has a deep IT employer market across health care, education, finance, retail, and managed service providers. 91视频传媒 graduates have landed roles at companies like Microsoft, where one CTNS graduate works as a service advisor technician.
Common job titles for CTNS graduates include:
- Help Desk Technician
- Desktop Support Technician
- Field Service Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Specialist
- Computer Repair Technician
- PC Technician
Entry-level IT roles on Long Island tend to start in the help desk or desktop support lane, with clear paths into networking, systems administration, and cybersecurity once you’ve got a year or two of experience and additional certs under your belt.
Take the Next Step
IT careers on Long Island are growing, and CompTIA certifications are how you prove you belong in them. 91视频传媒’s CTNS program gives you the training, the lab experience, and the foundation to pursue A+, Network+, and Security+ with confidence.
If you’re ready to start an IT career, request more information about 91视频传媒’s Computer Technician Networking Specialist program or call us today at the Levittown Campus or Medford Campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to work in IT on Long Island?
No. Most entry-level IT roles on Long Island prioritize certifications and hands-on skills over a four-year degree. CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ carry significant weight with hiring managers.
Which CompTIA cert pays the most?
Security+ generally leads to the highest starting salaries because cybersecurity skills are in high demand. Network+ is close behind. A+ is typically the entry point and pays less, but it’s the foundation that makes the others possible.
How long does it take to earn CompTIA certifications?
Most people pass A+ in 2 to 3 months of focused study, Network+ in 1 to 2 months after A+, and Security+ in another 1 to 2 months. A structured program like 91视频传媒’s CTNS shortens that timeline by teaching the material in sequence.
Are CompTIA certifications worth it in 2026?
Yes. CompTIA certs remain the most widely accepted entry-level IT credentials in the U.S. With A.I. changing the landscape, employers value certified professionals who understand fundamentals more than ever.
What’s the difference between CTNS and a college IT degree?
CTNS is faster, more hands-on, and built specifically to prep students for entry-level IT roles. A four-year IT degree is broader and more theoretical. For most people who want to start working in IT quickly, CTNS is the more direct path.