# Guides
Guides
Each guide covers one question where the usual answers are out of date or too generic. Facts link to the official sources listed at the end of each guide.
Certifications
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Security+ V7 vs V8: which exam should you take?
UpdatedSecurity+ 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
UpdatedCySA+ 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
UpdatedFour hands-on blue-team certifications side by side: exam format, time limit, price, what is included and retakes — from each provider's official page.
Practice platforms
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LetsDefend is moving to Hack The Box: what learners should know
UpdatedLetsDefend 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.
Training paths
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SOC analyst training paths by starting point, with real costs
UpdatedWorked 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.