Entry path
Security Operations
Detect, triage and respond. The most common entry into the profession from IT support, networking or helpdesk work.
What the work involves
- Triage alerts against documented playbooks
- Escalate confirmed incidents with evidence
- Tune noisy detections with the engineering team
- Write timelines other people can rely on
Core competencies
iSecPath tracks these competencies individually as you learn, so your roadmap shows the gap rather than a single overall score.
Certification mapping
iSecPath Recommended PathThis sequence reflects iSecPath's learning-path logic. It is not a set of official prerequisites — "Prerequisite" appears only where the certification provider authoritatively requires it.
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Required exam: CC
Free on iSecPath and the cleanest first step if you are new to security.
iSecPath recommends this step in this path. Not a provider requirement.
CompTIA Security+
Required exam: SY0-701
Frequently named as a baseline in SOC job postings.
Frequently named in job postings for this path.
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
Required exam: CS0-003
The analytical step after Security+ in this path.
iSecPath recommends this step in this path. Not a provider requirement.
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Required exam: 312-50
Attacker methodology sharpens detection reasoning.
Adds adjacent depth alongside the main sequence.
iSecPath sells learning access only. The external certification exam, exam registration, exam fee and the provider's eligibility requirements are separate and are not included. Purchasing iSecPath does not grant a certification.