From past years, the cloud market is setting record year by year by providing the best solutions and services with methods of reducing resources and cost. Now, more than 65% of the top organizations have moved into the cloud and started building cloud teams. And, many top organizations like Netflix are looking for people with cloud skills. As a result, the demand for individuals having experience and skills in the cloud sector has been increased. And, this has increased the demand for certification.
However, to get the best out of cloud computing, one of the trending job roles that companies and organizations require is the role of a cloud architect. Cloud Architect is the most trending job role and getting certified in this area will not only enhance your skills and knowledge but, this will act as a key that will open doors for many big opportunities. To get into this role, in the below sections you will get to know a brief about cloud architect and the methods for earning this role. So, let’s begin with learning about the role of cloud architects.
Who is a Cloud Architect?
Cloud Architects are basically the professional in the IT field. They have the ability to build and deploy applications including planning and creating strategies within cloud computing. For better understanding, go through the points mentioned below related to the cloud architect role.
- Cloud Architect perform various tasks in their role which includes:
- monitoring cloud activity
- planning and migrating applications
- designing courses of action
- defining computing loads.
- Secondly, Cloud Architects has a unique position in the Information Technology field. They handle the teams as well as create strategies using strong technical knowledge for getting better outcomes.
- Thirdly, they have to use their ability to convert the technical requirements of a project into architecture. Then, create designs for the final product. They mostly work on passing over the gaps between complex business problems and solutions in the cloud. Further, they work with the technology team, including DevOps engineers and developers.
- Fourthly, Cloud Architects have to report the senior-level staff with building relationships with customers and managing work with the teams as well.
- Lastly, with having a knowledge base and understanding of the cloud architect role. You can be hired by companies in the video game developers, design firms, or cloud technology department. As the demand for Cloud Architects is rising by a faster-than-average.
Cloud Computing Architecture
Cloud computing architecture is the components and subcomponents necessary for cloud computing. However, the components consist of a,
- front-end platform
- back-end platforms
- cloud-based delivery
- network.
Further, combining these can make up cloud computing architecture.
Moving on, above we have learned about the basic overview of who is a cloud architect. In the next section, we will be exploring the responsibilities that a cloud architect has to perform in their job role.
Cloud Architect Job Responsibilities
Every company and organization requires someone to handle their cloud environment and cloud architecture. For this, Cloud Architect performs a strategic role for maintaining the cloud systems, architecture, front-end platforms, servers, storage, and management networks. With having an advanced understanding and skills of cloud computing and technology systems including experience to plan and transfer applications to the cloud, Cloud Architects perform many complex and important daily-basis tasks. Let’s understand them.
Job Responsibilities
- Cloud Architects have the skills for creating cloud strategy and handling the adaption process.
- Secondly, they evaluate cloud applications, hardware, and software regularly and are responsible for developing and managing the cloud systems.
- Thirdly, they team up with IT security for monitoring the company’s cloud privacy. And, immediately respond to technical issues in a professional and timely manner.
- Next, they use their skills to quickly identify the top cloud architecture solutions for meeting the strategic requirements of the company.
- Cloud Architects have the ability to translating project-specific requirements into a cloud structure along with prioritizing the project needs in terms of resource usage and scalability.
- They perform planning of the cloud environment from an overall point of view and carrying out the deployment, maintenance, monitoring, and management tasks within this implemented cloud structure.
- Lastly, they handle the integration of new applications into the cloud environment and work with business clients for understanding their needs. Then, applying the cloud strategies as per those needs.
You must know that as per a survey, Cloud Computing is among the topmost career sector for providing the best job opportunities. In 2021, the demand for professionals is going to increase. Thus, top organizations will hire professionals having skills in this domain. So, keep up with this blog to learn more about the cloud.
Further, for managing and designing an organization’s cloud, Cloud Architects perform many types of essential tasks. In order to make you understand these tasks, check the below points categorized into sections as per the tasks.
Things to remember as Cloud Architect
1. Use skills to create a path
- This means as a Cloud Architect, you have to manage a cloud that can be in public, private, or hybrid. So, it is important to create a path to effectively work on these areas in order to achieve the goal or outcomes.
2. Understand the Problems
- During the tasks, cloud architect has to deal with many problems which looks simple but in reality, they are filled with complex details. So, it is important to understand the problem first and then start describing the solutions by creating diagrams, domain models, or architectures.
3. Thinking up a Solution
- Cloud Architect has skills that can help in identifying the problems and then start thinking for solutions. And, for finding the best possible solution, it is good to collaborate with professionals from other departments like software programmers and developers. This will help in getting the best solution for the problem.
4. Teamwork
- Cloud Architects within their job role have to manage and work with a team as well. This requires them to mix their cloud technical and interpersonal skills to lead the team with an aim to achieve a goal efficiently.
Now, we are well familiar with the role of Cloud Architect and how to get perfection in this. However, the next question which instantly comes to mind after this is how to become a Cloud Architect? For getting clarity in this, in the next sections, we will be learning about ways to become a fully qualified cloud architect.
How to become a Cloud Architect?
The important thing that is required in this journey is to have a degree. Yes, you should earn a degree in the technical field to enhance your technical skills and gain an understanding of the concepts of computing. But, there is no worry about this at all! Those from a non-technical background who have an interest in the cloud sector can also become cloud architects. Moreover, this field is for both individuals with technical and non-technical backgrounds. As the main thing that matters is the required skills and experience.
To cover the skills, the best way is to getting certified. This will not only level up your knowledge and skills but also increase your value in the job market. Related to the role of Cloud Architect, in the below section you will find out some of the top certifications that you explore as per the knowledge and skills you have.
Cloud Architect: Trending Certifications
Explore the trending cloud architect certification provided below the knowledge and skills requirements.
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam is good for individuals performing a solutions architect role. They must have knowledge and experience of one or more years in designing cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS. Further, this exam measures candidates’ skills and abilities.
Abilities Validated by the Certification:
- Firstly, illustrating knowledge for architecting and deploying secure applications on AWS technologies.
- Secondly, defining a solution using architectural design principles based on customer requirements.
- Lastly, providing implementation guidance based on best practices to the organization throughout the life cycle of the project.
Knowledge and Experience
- Firstly, the experience in using compute, networking, storage, and database AWS services
- Secondly, knowledge and experience with AWS deployment and management services
- Thirdly, skills in identifying and defining technical requirements for an AWS-based application.
- Then, the ability to identify which AWS services meet a given technical requirement.
- After that, understanding of the basic architectural principles of building on the AWS Cloud and AWS global infrastructure.
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional
After getting experience in the cloud architect role, you can apply for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional exam. This is designed for those who have the ability to perform the role of solutions architect with experience of two or more years in handling and operating systems on AWS.
Abilities Validated by the Certification
- Firstly, planning and deploying dynamically scalable, highly available, fault-tolerant, and reliable applications on AWS
- Secondly, selecting the suitable AWS services for designing and deploying an application depending on given requirements.
- Thirdly, migrating complex, multi-tier applications on AWS.
- Lastly, designing and deploying enterprise-wide scalable operations on AWS with applying the cost-control strategies.
Recommended Knowledge and Experience
- For this exam, you must have two or more years of hands-on experience in planning and deploying cloud architecture on AWS.
- Secondly, you should have the ability in evaluating cloud application requirements and creating architectural recommendations for implementation, deployment, and provisioning applications on AWS.
- Thirdly, you must have a level of familiarity with AWS CLI, AWS APIs, AWS CloudFormation templates, the AWS Billing Console, and the AWS Management Console.
- Next, skills to explain and apply the five pillars of the AWS Well-Architected Framework as well as for planning a hybrid architecture using key AWS technologies.
- After that, skills and ability for providing best practice guidance on the architectural design across multiple applications and projects of the enterprise
- Lastly, you should have familiarity with a scripting language, Windows, and Linux environments. And, you must know how to plan business objectives to application/architecture requirements.
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
For this certification, you must have the appropriate skills and knowledge in planning and implementing solutions running on Microsoft Azure. This covers compute, network, storage, and security. And, there is a need to have skills for administering Azure and an understanding of Azure development and DevOps processes.
Further, this role includes responsibilities like:
- Advising stakeholders
- Translating business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable cloud solutions.
However, for achieving the role of cloud solution architect, you have to pass two exams, AZ-303 and AZ-304.
Skills measured
- Firstly, the ability in implementing and monitoring an Azure infrastructure
- Secondly, skills to implement management and security solutions
- Thirdly, the ability to implement solutions for apps and manage data platforms
- Lastly, skills to design:
- monitoring
- identity and security
- data storage
- business continuity
- infrastructure
Knowledge Requirement
- For this exam, you have advanced experience and knowledge of IT operations. This must be in the area of networking, virtualization, security, business continuity, identity, disaster recovery, data platform, budgeting, and governance
- Secondly, you should be familiar with managing how decisions in each area affect an overall solution.
- Lastly, you must have skills and knowledge in Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes.
4. GCP Professional Cloud Architect
GCP Professional Cloud Architect has the ability to enable organizations to leverage Google Cloud technologies. With having an overall understanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud Platform, Professional Cloud Architect use their skills for designing, developing, and managing robust, securing, highly available, and dynamic solutions for meeting business objectives.
The exam assesses your ability to:
- Firstly, designing and planning a cloud solution architecture
- Secondly, managing and provisioning the cloud solution infrastructure
- Thirdly, designing security and compliance
- Then, analyzing and optimizing technical business processes
- Lastly, managing implementations of cloud architecture and ensuring solution and operations reliability
Experience Required
- For the Professional Cloud Architect exam, it is recommended to have more than 3 years of industry experience. And, more than one year of experience in planning and managing solutions using GCP.
Above we have understood how you can start your journey to become a Cloud Architect. But, the thing that is still striking the mind is, what after getting certified? This question can come anytime soon in our minds. So, let’s find an answer for this below.
Cloud Architect: Process after getting Certified
After passing the exam and earning the certification under one of the big names like Microsoft, AWS, or GCP, it will benefit you throughout your journey. That is to say, these are companies that have set a benchmark of providing the cloud skills that are needed in all the cloud-based companies even for themselves as well. After earning a certification, you can apply for well known cloud-based companies like:
- Microsoft
- Accenture
- IBM
- Cognizant Technology Solutions
- Amazon
- Oracle
- Cloudreach
- SAP
Further, another question that comes is about salary. Let’s talk about the cloud architect salary structure.
Cloud Architect Salary
Cloud Architect Salary in India
- In India, the starting salary of Cloud Architects can be ₹395,000. However, this totally depends on the experience and skills you have. For those with experience can earn up to Rs 1,600,000 per annum to Rs 2,400,000 per annum.
However, getting experience in this field can help you earn a position in the top global companies that will boost up your career.
Cloud Architect US-based Salary
- According to a survey, in the United States, the average salary of a Cloud Architects ranges from US$94,000 and US$190,000 per annum. As above said, this totally depends on the experience, skills and the company you are working in.
Final Words
Getting into the role of cloud architect will always keep you on top in the job market. This role will your skills and even enhance those skills by getting experience in this field. We are well familiar with that the cloud computing sector is in trend and will grow more in the next few years. So, it is the best to step to start our career in this area by using your skills and experience. And, for becoming a cloud architect, you can start by earning the certifications and get yourself int to the highest-paying job. Lastly, start preparing to achieve this role and create a bright and everlasting future.
