Security+ → AWS Security → CISSP: ROI Breakdown of Three Classic Security Certifications
Security+ ($404) takes 2–3 months, 50–65% self-study pass rate, +$10K–$20K salary premium. AWS Security Specialty ($300) takes 2–3 months, 45–55% pass rate, highest ROI at 40–67x. CISSP ($749) takes 3–6 months, 50–60% pass rate, +$25K–$35K premium but requires 5 years of experience. Five-year total cost of ownership: Security+ $554, AWS Security $300 (no annual fee), CISSP $1,374.