Question 1Network services
When a team creates a subnet in a VPC, where does that subnet exist?
Cloud Practitioner, Network+ or Security+: which first?
Cloud Practitioner is the gentlest start: AWS designs it for candidates new to the cloud who may have no IT background. Network+ and Security+ go deeper, and CompTIA recommends Network+ before Security+.
| Cloud Practitioner | 65 questions, 90 minutes, 700 of 1,000 to pass; $100 |
|---|---|
| Network+ | Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes, 720 of 900 to pass |
| Security+ | 750 of 900 to pass |
What each one covers
| Exam | Covers | Recommended before it |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Practitioner | Cloud concepts, AWS security, the core AWS services, billing and support | Nothing required; up to 6 months of AWS exposure helps |
| Network+ | Addressing, routing, switching, wireless, operations, network security and troubleshooting | A+ certification and 9 to 12 months in a junior network role (CompTIA) |
| Security+ | Threats, security architecture, operations and risk | Network+ and two years in a security or systems administrator role (CompTIA) |
Choosing an order
- New to IT and aiming at cloud roles: Cloud Practitioner first. It needs no technical background.
- Working toward networking or security jobs: Network+, then Security+, as CompTIA recommends. Cloud Practitioner fits before or alongside them.
- These are recommendations, not prerequisites. Take the free diagnostic to see where you stand.
Try 3 questions
Question 2Security components and resources
A software company wants its Amazon EC2 instances and container images in Amazon ECR scanned automatically for known software vulnerabilities. Which service fits?
Question 3Deploying and operating in the cloud
Why would a company keep its AWS CloudFormation templates in version control alongside its application code?
Next step
Questions people ask
Should I take Cloud Practitioner or Network+ first?
If you are new to IT, Cloud Practitioner is the gentler start: AWS designs it for candidates who may not have an IT background. Network+ assumes more hands-on networking.
Does Cloud Practitioner help with Security+?
Security and Compliance is 30% of the Cloud Practitioner exam, so it introduces ideas Security+ builds on, but the two exams test different things.
Do I need Cloud Practitioner before an Associate AWS exam?
AWS does not list it as a prerequisite. It covers the cloud basics the Associate exams build on.