Layered on top of CompTIA A+, the CompTIA Network+ credential equips help-desk technicians to take on networking responsibilities — essential for moving into network-administration, managed-IT-services (MSP), and SOC analyst roles. Network+ is vendor-neutral, so the concepts transfer cleanly across Cisco, Aruba, Meraki, Juniper, and cloud-networking environments, which is why employers still treat it as the standard entry-level networking validation.
Who This Credential Is For
This track is built for help-desk technicians, A+ holders, and IT-support professionals who want to take on network responsibilities — or who want a stronger credential before applying for junior network-technician or NOC-analyst roles. It also works well as a refresh for technicians who have been doing networking work informally and want the recognized certification to match.
What You’ll Learn
- Networking concepts, topologies, and cabling standards
- IP addressing and subnetting (IPv4 and IPv6)
- Common protocols, services, and well-known ports
- Routing and switching fundamentals, including VLAN basics
- Wireless networking, SD-WAN, and cloud connectivity
- Network operations, monitoring, and documentation
- Security threats and hardening basics relevant to a help-desk role
- Troubleshooting connectivity, wireless, and performance issues with a structured methodology
Prerequisites & Exam Format
CompTIA recommends CompTIA A+ (or equivalent experience) and 9–12 months of IT networking experience before sitting for the exam. The current Network+ exam (N10-009) runs up to 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions, a 90-minute time limit, and a passing score of 720 on a 100–900 scale. The credential is valid for three years and can be renewed through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or by passing a higher-level exam.
Suggested Study Plan
A reasonable schedule is six to eight weeks of self-paced study at roughly 8–10 hours per week: two weeks on networking fundamentals and cabling; two weeks on IP addressing, routing, and switching; one week on wireless / cloud / WAN; one week on network security and operations; one week on troubleshooting methodology; and a final week of full-length practice exams, review of weak areas, and a scheduled exam attempt. Learners who already hold A+ typically finish the track faster.
Lab Environment
Our delivery includes a lab environment built around Cisco Packet Tracer, cloud-hosted virtual networks, and scenario-based troubleshooting exercises. Learners practice subnetting by hand and in simulated topologies, configure switches and routers, capture traffic for basic analysis, and walk through incident-response playbooks for common outages (loop storms, IP conflicts, DNS failures, wireless interference). Hands-on practice is what turns classroom knowledge into confident performance on the exam and on the job.
Career Outcomes
- Help-desk technicians stepping up into network-facing roles
- Junior network technicians and NOC analysts
- MSP field technicians supporting small-and-medium business networks
- Wireless, VoIP, and cabling-plant technicians
- On-ramp to CCNA, CompTIA Security+, and cloud-networking pathways
What to Do After Network+
The natural next steps depend on the career target. For MSP / service-desk management track: ITIL 4 Foundation adds the service-management language employers expect. For security-focused roles: CompTIA Security+ is the next rung and is approved under DoD 8570/8140. For deeper networking: Cisco CCNA adds vendor-specific skills that unlock network engineer roles. We help learners sequence these based on where they want to be in 18 months, not just the next exam.
How the Course Is Delivered
Self-paced online modules with practice labs, scenario-based exercises, and exam-aligned practice tests. Learners get an instructor-reviewed study plan, progress dashboards, and optional live review sessions before the exam. Cohorts can be configured for individual learners, employer-sponsored groups, or grant-funded workforce programs.
Funding & Enrollment
Eligible learners may qualify for Workforce Grant-funded seats or other CyberLearning funding programs. Employer-sponsored cohorts get volume pricing and shared-reporting setup. For pricing, cohort schedules, or enrollment, contact CyberLearning.
Related Pathways
Help Desk Technician overview · CompTIA A+ · Network Administrator pathway · CompTIA Security+.