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Security Administrator — career path

StationX Foundation

The first security job for many: keep the systems patched, the accounts right and the controls on. A+, Network+ and Security+ in order, then Linux and Windows administration on real machines, and Microsoft's security, compliance and identity fundamentals.

4 courses · 47 sections · 273 lectures · 36 labs · ≈ 38 h of hands-on labs

Free to start: the free lessons and guides for this roadmap →

Try a free SOC lab: Shut the door (~4 min) → A scripted simulation in your browser. No account needed.

The path

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Step 1 — IT foundation

Hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting — the desk you start at.

follows the whole CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202) roadmap: 9 courses · 86 sections · 509 lectures · 62 labs · ≈ 54 h of hands-on labs

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CompTIA A+ badge

9 courses · 86 sections · 509 lectures · 62 labs · ≈ 54 h of hands-on labs

3 steps — The standard first IT certification and the usual route into a helpdesk or support role.

Open the full CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202) roadmap →

Step 2 — Networking foundation

How the systems you administer talk to each other.

follows the whole CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) roadmap: 8 courses · 77 sections · 529 lectures · 56 labs · ≈ 45 h of hands-on labs

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CompTIA Network+ badge

8 courses · 77 sections · 529 lectures · 56 labs · ≈ 45 h of hands-on labs

4 steps — Networking is the foundation security is built on. The recommended step between A+ and Security+.

Open the full CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) roadmap →

Step 3 — Security foundation

The certification that turns an IT administrator into a security one.

follows the whole CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) roadmap: 11 courses · 76 sections · 867 lectures · 148 labs · ≈ 172 h of hands-on labs

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CompTIA Security+ badge

11 courses · 76 sections · 867 lectures · 148 labs · ≈ 172 h of hands-on labs

9 steps — The industry-standard entry certification for a cyber security role.

Open the full CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) roadmap →

Step 4 — Administer Linux securely

Users, permissions, services and hardening on the command line.

2 courses · 26 sections · 137 lectures · 21 labs

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Step 5 — Administer Windows securely

Active Directory, Group Policy, password policy and system hardening — the enterprise desktop estate. Update management is practised on the A+ step.

2 courses · 21 sections · 136 lectures · 15 labs

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Practise

Step 6 — Administer cloud identity

What Microsoft's identity, security and compliance tools do (Entra ID, Defender, Purview), at fundamentals level — where many admin desks now work. This step has no Microsoft 365 administration labs.

follows the whole Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) roadmap: 1 course · 6 sections · 155 lectures · 22 labs · ≈ 19 h of hands-on labs

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Microsoft SC-900 badge

1 course · 6 sections · 155 lectures · 22 labs · ≈ 19 h of hands-on labs

3 steps — The entry Microsoft security certification — the security, compliance and identity story across Microsoft 365 and Azure.

Open the full Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) roadmap →

Where this leads

Choose your next roadmap

Advanced · after the job

The AI-Driven Security Administrator

Senior roles are going to the people who can direct AI to build security solutions. When you're working in the role and ready for that step, the AI Master's Program is where it's taught — an advanced, application-only programme.

See the AI Master's Program →Application-only. A separate programme for when you're ready.