Until about a decade ago, most businesses simply did not trust having their business and customer data stored in someone else’s cloud data store. The pain points were security and ease of access, but that old school of thought has dissipated with the rapid development of safer, more reliable, and more user-friendly cloud-based systems.
This transformation, largely driven by the fintech sector, has resulted in enormous success for service providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and others. As a result of all of this cloud migration, there is a significant increase in software development for applications that connect business data to processors and storage in public cloud systems. As more jobs are created in this sector, a whole new group of people must be trained in how to facilitate safe and reliable cloud architectures and services.
Let us look at the Top 10 Cloud Certifications to Start Your Cloud Career in 2022!
Top 10 Cloud Certifications
These are the best Cloud certifications that will help you to get an edge over others –
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Associate
Candidates completing this certificate will demonstrate skills in the four domains of designing resilient architectures, designing high-performing architectures, designing secure applications and architectures, and designing cost-optimized architectures. Also, AWS recommends prior hands-on experience with their storage services and an understanding of their technical requirements, global infrastructure, and security features.
- Duration: 130 minutes to complete, 65 questions
- Cost: $150
2. Professional Cloud Architect—Google
The exam assesses your skills in designing cloud solution architecture, managing infrastructure, furthermore, in designing for security and compliance, and building for operations reliability. Furthermore, Google recommends three or more years of industry experience, including one year or more of Google Cloud management.
- Duration: 120 minutes to complete
- Cost: $200
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Candidates completing this certificate will possess subject matter expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization’s Azure environment. Microsoft recommends at least six months of hands-on experience as an Azure administrator and a strong understanding of its services, workloads, and security. Also, Test takers should be experienced with PowerShell, Azure CLI, Azure portal, and Azure Resource Manager templates.
- Duration: 120 minutes to complete, 40–60 questions
- Cost: $165
4. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator—Associate
Test passers will exemplify talent with critical skills for implementing cloud initiatives within the AWS environment. AWS suggests a minimum of one year of hands-on experience with AWS technology as well as additional experience in managing, deploying, and operating workloads on AWS along with implementing security controls and managing compliance.
- Duration: 180 minutes to complete, 65 questions
- Cost: $150
5. CompTIA Cloud+
The test validates the skills for deploying and automating secure cloud environments. Areas of focus include cloud architecture and design, operations and support, additionally, cloud security, troubleshooting, and cloud deployment. Unlike many other certifications, CompTIA is vendor-neutral and applicable across the board. Additionally, CompTIA recommends two to three years of experience in systems administration or networking.
- Duration: 90 minutes to complete, 90 questions
- Cost: $348
6. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
The test demonstrates cloud fluency and knowledge of AWS infrastructure. Furthermore, AWS recommends six months prior experience with AWS Cloud; a basic understanding of IT in the AWS Cloud context; and knowledge of billing, pricing, moreover, security concepts, and other business practices that relate to AWS services. Also, This is a foundational level certification.
- Duration: 90 minutes to complete, 65 questions
- Cost: $100
7. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Focuses include core solutions and management tools on Azure; general security and network security features; identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features; and Azure const management and service-level agreements. Moreover, This is an entry-level certification. Microsoft recommends knowledge of cloud service fundamentals.
- Duration: 85 minutes to complete, 40–60 questions
- Cost: $99
8. CCSP—Certified Cloud Security Professional
Those who pass demonstrate advanced technical skills in the design and management of secure data. Moreover, It is recommended that test-takers have a minimum of five years of experience in IT and three in information security.
- Duration: Three hours, 125 questions
- Cost: $599
9. Google Certified Professional Data Engineer
The test demonstrates the ability to design, build, operationalize, secure, and monitor data processing systems. Furthermore, Google recommends three or more years of industry experience, one of which should be with managing Google Cloud services.
- Duration: 120 minutes to complete, 50 questions
- Cost: $200
10. VMWare Cloud Management and Automation 2022—Professional
The test demonstrates the ability to administer VMWare vRealize to automate key data center processes. Also, VMWare recommends the completion of its prior Technical Associate certification.
- Duration: 145 minutes, 60 questions
- Cost: $450
Resources for Preparation
Before taking any exam, it is critical to develop a study strategy and cover all of the necessary study resources. So, below, we’ll look at some resources that can help you pass any exam –
Study Groups and Online tutorials – Interacting with people who have similar life goals is essential. Participating in study groups is a great way to completely immerse yourself in the certification exam for which you applied. Also, These groups will keep you up to date on any changes or updates to the exam. Furthermore, these groups include both novices and professionals. Moreover, Online tutorials help you broaden your knowledge and thoroughly understand exam concepts. They also go over exam specifics and policies. As a result, learning with Online Tutorials will help you prepare better.
Practice tests – It is critical to apply what you have learned so that you can evaluate your performance. By practicing, you will be able to improve your answering skills and save a lot of time. Furthermore, it is best to begin doing practice tests after you have completed one full topic, as this will serve as a revision supplement.
Conclusion
The greater the market share of a cloud platform, the higher the pay for the professionals who work with it. Indeed, expertise on a smaller but growing platform can be profitable. Although Google Cloud Platform does not have the market penetration of AWS or Azure, its top certification yields the highest average salary for these professionals.
That’s not to say you should disregard market share; the adoption and popularity of a platform can help you assess the health of the job market in your area. Online communities, such as LinkedIn groups, cloud-related sub-Reddits, various discussion forums, or the ACG Discord server, can provide valuable insights from a broader field of professionals.
