# SOC analyst training [dataset checked October 22, 2026]
Security analyst training, compared and checked
Prices, exam formats, versions and renewal costs for SOC analyst certifications and practice platforms — each fact dated and linked to the official source. Then a plan for where you are starting.
| Certification | Assessment | Exam | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Team Level 1 (BTL1) | Practical | 24 hours | £399 GBP |
| CyberDefenders Certified CyberDefender Level 1 (CCDL1) | Practical | Not captured in this check | $599 |
| HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (HTB CDSA) | Practical | Not captured in this check | Not verified |
# Why this site
Answers that go stale, kept current
Search results and AI answers for SOC analyst training repeat the same lists, but the details that matter change often: CompTIA launched CySA+ V4 in June 2026 and Security+ V8 launches on November 17, 2026; LetsDefend is moving into Hack The Box; one official exam page showed two different prices on the day we checked it. We record what each issuer says, when we checked, and where — and we label anything we could not confirm.
- Practical vs multiple-choice is shown for every exam, because it changes what the credential proves.
- Keeping it — renewal fees and requirements — sits next to the entry price.
- No product of our own. We do not sell training. See how we are funded on the about page.
# Guides
Recent changes, explained
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SOC analyst training paths by starting point, with real costs
Worked SOC analyst training plans for career changers, IT staff and junior analysts: what to take in which order, and what the verified prices add up to.
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Security+ V7 vs V8: which exam should you take?
Security+ V8 (SY0-801) launches November 17, 2026 and V7 retires June 11, 2027. What changes in the domains, what stays the same, and how to choose.
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CySA+ V3 vs V4: what changed in CS0-004
CySA+ V4 (CS0-004) launched June 2026 and English V3 retires December 2026. Domain weight changes, new AI and vulnerability topics, and which to take.
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Practical SOC certifications compared: BTL1, CCDL1, HTB CDSA and TryHackMe SAL1
Four hands-on blue-team certifications side by side: exam format, time limit, price, what is included and retakes — from each provider's official page.
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LetsDefend is moving to Hack The Box: what learners should know
LetsDefend content now lives in Hack The Box Academy and Labs, new releases are Hack The Box-only from October 15, and annual LetsDefend plans are no longer sold.