CISMP vs Security+: Which Certification Is Right for You in 2025?

If you’re starting to explore a career in cyber security, two names come up again and again: CISMP and Security+. Both are well-established entry points, but they serve quite different purposes – and choosing the right one can set the tone for the rest of your professional development.

• CISMP (the Certificate in Information Security Management Principles) is awarded by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. It focuses on how organisations manage security – the governance, risk and compliance side of the discipline. It has deep roots in the UK and is widely recognised by employers in the public sector, government and other regulated industries.

• Security+, developed by CompTIA, takes a more technical approach. It’s known worldwide and is often the first qualification that technical IT professionals pursue when they move into cyber roles. Its content is practical, global and hands-on, dealing with the everyday mechanics of securing systems and responding to incidents.

This guide gives a side-by-side comparison and helps you decide which path makes sense for your role, your experience and your long-term goals.

Who each certification is for

CISMP is designed for people who are ready to move beyond the purely technical aspects of IT and understand how information security fits into the wider organisation. It’s common among IT professionals who are beginning to take on security responsibilities – for example, network or systems administrators who now oversee access control or incident reporting, or IT managers who need to align their approach with ISO 27001 and other standards.

The CISMP syllabus covers everything from governance to human factors, so it attracts a diverse mix of learners – not only those from traditional IT backgrounds but also policy leads, auditors and public-sector staff who need to demonstrate a working knowledge of security management principles.

Security+ is aimed squarely at people building their technical security skills. It provides the fundamental knowledge required to secure networks, manage vulnerabilities and support operational security teams. Typical learners include IT support technicians and system engineers who need a recognised, vendor-neutral credential to show they can handle core security tasks.

If you’re comfortable working with network devices, cloud systems and endpoints, and you want to deepen your understanding of threats, tools and controls, Security+ is a natural first step. It’s also a strong starting point if you intend to move into incident response, penetration testing or engineering roles.

Recognition: UK versus global standing

The two certifications occupy very different positions in the job market.

CISMP is well established in the UK and Europe. It’s referenced in many UK job specifications, particularly across government, defence, healthcare and finance, and it forms part of the CESG/NCSC CCP (Certified Professional) framework. Because of its link to BCS and its alignment with UK professional standards, CISMP carries significant weight for anyone planning to build a career in governance, risk or compliance. Employers in regulated sectors often see it as the natural benchmark for staff who need to understand the principles behind an information security management system.

Security+ enjoys much broader international recognition and appears frequently in global job ads for analyst and operations roles. If your career is likely to involve working with international teams, or you expect to move between countries or global organisations, Security+ will be immediately understood by recruiters and hiring managers everywhere.

In short: CISMP has more resonance in the UK; Security+ travels better worldwide.

Focus areas: governance and risk versus technical fundamentals

The difference in content reflects these audiences.

CISMP’s syllabus revolves around why security matters and how it is managed. Learners study risk assessment, policies and procedures, business continuity, legal and regulatory obligations, and the human aspects of security culture. The course introduces technical concepts – such as cryptography and network controls – but always in the context of organisational management and accountability.

Security+ is concerned with what happens at the operational level. It delves into network defence, access control, monitoring, threat intelligence, encryption and incident response. The goal is to help learners recognise attacks, configure controls and manage day-to-day security operations. It provides the grounding that technical teams need to identify vulnerabilities and respond effectively to security incidents.

Think of CISMP as the qualification for understanding the system of security management, and Security+ as the one for building and maintaining that system in practice.

Compliance and frameworks

Compliance is another key point of difference.

CISMP aligns closely with ISO 27001, the information security management standard. Many UK organisations use it as evidence that staff understand the standard’s principles, making it useful for internal competence frameworks and audit readiness. It’s also recognised under the UK’s CCP scheme, which makes it particularly relevant to government departments and contractors that must demonstrate formal assurance of security skills.

Security+ is less compliance driven. It complements frameworks such as ISO 27001 or NIST 800-53 indirectly, by providing the technical foundation on which those controls depend. If your work involves configuring systems or implementing security measures, rather than managing compliance, Security+ provides the right level of operational understanding.

Career outcomes and job-market signals

In the UK, CISMP is frequently listed as essential or desirable for roles such as information security analyst, information security officer or IT security manager. Salaries for these positions typically range from around £30,000 to £50,000, depending on experience and sector. Because the qualification demonstrates a grasp of both risk and governance, it’s valued by employers looking for people who can bridge the gap between IT and business management.

Security+ tends to appear in global job ads for SOC analysts, junior security engineers and similar hands-on roles. In the UK, it’s often seen as an advantage for candidates in managed service providers or multinational firms with global security frameworks. Salaries vary widely, but Security+ is often used as a stepping stone toward mid-level technical positions and more advanced certifications.

Both can open doors – they simply lead in different directions.

Which makes more sense by industry?

If you work in or aspire to join the public sector, defence, healthcare, finance or critical infrastructure, CISMP is the stronger choice. These industries rely heavily on governance, risk and compliance frameworks, and they tend to value qualifications that are recognised by UK professional bodies and national standards authorities. The link to ISO 27001 and the CCP scheme makes CISMP an obvious fit for these environments.

If your work is more hands-on – for example, in network operations, SOC environments or multinational IT teams – Security+ may serve you better. Its technical content helps you understand threats and tools directly, and its global reputation means it travels well across borders and job markets.

Many professionals eventually hold both. It’s common to start with the one that fits your current responsibilities, then complement it with the other as your career broadens.

Side-by-side comparison

Which should you choose?

If your day-to-day work involves policy, risk, compliance or managing how your organisation approaches security, CISMP will give you a recognised foundation in those disciplines. It teaches you to think strategically about threats, controls and responsibilities – skills that align directly with frameworks such as ISO 27001 and with roles across the UK public and regulated sectors.

If you’re more interested in the technical side – identifying vulnerabilities, configuring systems and responding to incidents – Security+ provides the hands-on grounding you need. It’s ideal for those aiming to join or progress within managed service providers or international IT teams.

Many security professionals start with one and later take the other to round out their skills. The best choice depends on where you are now and where you want to go.

Explore your next steps with IT Governance

And if you’d like tailored advice before deciding, our training advisors can help you map each qualification to your career goals and suggest the best next step.