FoundationSECURITY FAMILY · TRACK 04

Net-
working.

TCP/IP, routing, switching, subnetting. CCNA-aligned using free Cisco resources. You can't secure or build what you don't understand.

~4 months

Duration

Courses

Projects

~$668 total

Cert Cost

// CERT STACK · IN ORDER

01

Cisco Networking Academy — CCNA 1 & 2

Cisco NetAcad (Free)Free2–3 months

TCP/IP, OSI model, subnetting, routing basics. Entirely free through Cisco's academy. Best structured intro to networking available.

02

CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)

✦ HIREABLE HERE

Professor Messer / CompTIAFree (study) · $338 exam2–3 months

Hireable checkpoint. Vendor-neutral networking cert. Required or preferred in most IT and network support roles. Study free with Professor Messer.

03

Cisco CCNA (200-301)

Cisco / Jeremy's IT Lab (free YouTube)Free (study) · $330 exam3–5 months

The industry standard for networking engineers. Jeremy's IT Lab on YouTube is the best free CCNA prep available. Opens network engineer and NOC roles.

// SALARY RANGES · 2025–2026

$38K – $58K

Help Desk / IT Support

Entry, A+/Network+

$50K – $72K

Network Technician

Network+, 1–2 yrs

$70K – $100K

Network Engineer

CCNA, 2–4 yrs

$95K – $130K

Senior Network Engineer

CCNP, 5+ yrs

Aggregated from Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Payscale, ZipRecruiter.

// FREE RESOURCES

Cisco Networking Academy (Free)Cisco ↗Professor Messer — Network+ProfessorMesser.com ↗Jeremy's IT Lab — CCNA (Free YouTube)YouTube ↗Subnetting PracticeSubnettingPractice.com ↗Packet Tracer (Free Simulator)Cisco ↗

// KNOWLEDGE CHECK

Test your knowledge.

5 questions · instant feedback · earn your NET badge on 4/5 correct.

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