Ever feel like you’re lost in the cloud of AWS certifications? Many aspiring cloud professionals get caught in a fog when it comes to the different versions of the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate exam, specifically the SOA-C01 and the SOA-C02. But fear not! This blog post will be your trusty guide, clearing the confusion and helping you understand the key differences between these two exams. We’ll delve into the purpose and value of the SysOps Administrator Associate certification, explore the format and content of both SOA-C01 and SOA-C02 and ultimately help you navigate which exam fits your career goals. So, Let’s find out!
What is the new AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02) Exam?
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02) exam is designed to help organizations identify and cultivate talent with essential skills for executing cloud initiatives. Achieving this certification confirms your expertise in deploying, managing, and operating workloads on AWS. The exam evaluates your ability to:
- Maintain and support AWS workloads following the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
- Perform operations using the AWS Management Console and AWS CLI.
- Implement security controls to meet compliance standards.
- Monitor, log, and troubleshoot systems.
- Apply networking concepts such as DNS, TCP/IP, and firewalls.
- Meet architectural requirements for high availability, performance, and capacity.
- Execute business continuity and disaster recovery procedures.
- Identify, classify, and address incidents.
Learning Objectives:
Preparing for and earning this certification will demonstrate your:
- Experience in deploying, managing, and operating workloads on AWS, and implementing security controls and compliance requirements.
- Proficiency with both the AWS Management Console and AWS Command Line Interface (CLI).
- Understanding of the AWS Well-Architected Framework, as well as AWS networking and security services.
Target Audience:
The ideal candidate should have at least one year of experience with AWS deployment, management, networking, and security. General IT experience should include:
- 1-2 years as a system administrator in an operations role.
- Experience in monitoring, logging, and troubleshooting.
- Knowledge of networking concepts like DNS, TCP/IP, and firewalls.
- Ability to meet architectural requirements such as high availability, performance, and capacity.
For AWS-specific experience, the candidate should have:
- At least one year of hands-on experience with AWS technology.
- Experience in deploying, managing, and operating workloads on AWS.
- Understanding of the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
- Hands-on experience with the AWS Management Console and AWS CLI.
- Knowledge of AWS networking and security services.
- Experience in implementing security controls and meeting compliance requirements.
Understanding the Differences Between SOA-C01 and SOA-C02
Learning about the differences between the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C01) and (SOA-C02) exams is crucial for candidates aiming to stay current with their certifications. The SOA-C02 exam, which replaces SOA-C01, introduces updated content reflecting the latest AWS services and best practices. It includes a new hands-on practical component to better assess real-world skills, as well as revised topics in automation, monitoring, and troubleshooting. So, let’s explore the difference!
Exam Format:
The format of the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate exam has undergone some key changes with the introduction of the SOA-C02 version. Let’s break down the specifics of each exam:
SOA-C01:
This earlier version relied on traditional question formats. You could expect to encounter a mix of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. Scoring was strict – either you got the question completely right or received no points at all. This meant there was no room for partial credit, making perfect accuracy crucial for success.
SOA-C02:
The newer SOA-C02 exam incorporates a more hands-on approach. While it still features multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. This simulates real-world AWS scenarios, allowing you to demonstrate your practical skills in managing and troubleshooting cloud resources. This shift towards a performance-based element is a significant difference from SOA-C01.
| Feature | SOA-C01 | SOA-C02 |
|---|---|---|
| Question Types | Multiple Choice, Multiple Response | Multiple Choice, Multiple Response |
Exam Content:
The knowledge base assessed by the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate exam has evolved slightly between SOA-C01 and SOA-C02. Let’s check the specific domains covered in each version:
SOA-C01:
This earlier version focused on six core domains:
- Deployment, Management, and Optimization: This domain tested your ability to deploy and manage applications on AWS, along with best practices for cost optimization.
- Security and Compliance: This domain assessed your understanding of security principles on AWS and how to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
- Monitoring and Event Management: This domain focused on your knowledge of monitoring AWS resources and responding to events effectively.
- Networking: This domain evaluated your understanding of core networking concepts and how they apply within the AWS cloud.
- Automation and Orchestration: This domain tested your ability to automate tasks and workflows using AWS services.
- Troubleshooting: This domain assessed your problem-solving skills in identifying and resolving issues within AWS environments.
SOA-C02:
The newer SOA-C02 exam streamlined the content into six core domains, with a slight shift in emphasis:
- Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation (20%) – This domain places greater emphasis on proactive monitoring, log analysis, and taking corrective actions.
- Reliability and Business Continuity (16%) – This domain remains crucial, testing your ability to design and implement robust AWS environments for high availability.
- Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation (18%) – This domain still assesses your skills in deploying resources and building automation workflows.
- Security and Compliance (16%) – Security continues to be a core focus, testing your understanding of securing AWS resources and adhering to compliance requirements.
- Networking and Content Delivery (18%) – This domain maintains its focus on core networking concepts and content delivery solutions on AWS.
- Cost and Performance Optimization (12%) – This new domain emphasizes managing cloud resources efficiently to control costs and optimize performance.
| Domain | SOA-C01 | SOA-C02 | Weighting (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment, Management & Optimization | Yes | Merged into Deployment, Provisioning, & Automation and Cost and Performance Optimization | |
| Security & Compliance | Yes | Yes | 16 |
| Monitoring & Event Management | Yes | Transformed into Monitoring, Logging, & Remediation (20%) | 20 |
| Networking | Yes | Merged into Networking and Content Delivery (18%) | 18 |
| Automation & Orchestration | Yes | Merged into Deployment, Provisioning, & Automation (18%) | 18 |
| Troubleshooting | Yes | Implicitly tested across all domains | |
| New Domain (SOA-C02 Only) | Cost and Performance Optimization | 12 |
Power Up Your Cloud Career with the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate Certification
Earning the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate certification is a strategic move for anyone aiming to solidify their cloud expertise. Let’s understand the potential benefits:
Enhanced Skills and Market Value:
The AWS SysOps Administrator Associate certification validates your foundational knowledge and practical abilities in managing and operating applications on AWS. This includes:
- You’ll demonstrate your expertise in deploying and managing applications on AWS, ensuring smooth operation and optimal resource utilization.
- The certification showcases your understanding of robust security practices and compliance requirements for AWS environments.
- Your ability to effectively monitor AWS resources and troubleshoot issues becomes a valuable asset, ensuring system uptime and performance.
- The certification highlights your skills in automating tasks and workflows using AWS services, promoting efficiency and scalability.
- A strong understanding of core networking concepts within the AWS cloud is crucial for managing and optimizing cloud infrastructure.
By acquiring these skills and earning the certification, you significantly increase your market value and become a more competitive candidate in the job market.
Increased Earning Potential:
Statistics consistently report that AWS certifications lead to higher salaries. According to various sources like, AWS Certified SysOps Administrators can expect an average salary range of USD $74,559 to $118,000 annually. This figure can vary depending on your experience, location, and specific industry, but the certification positions you for a competitive salary within the cloud computing domain.
Diverse and Rewarding Career Paths:
The AWS SysOps Administrator Associate certification opens doors to a variety of exciting career paths in cloud computing. Here are some potential options to explore:
- Cloud Engineer: Design, build, deploy, and manage cloud infrastructure and applications, playing a key role in cloud adoption and implementation.
- SysOps Administrator: Become responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of cloud systems, ensuring their reliability, performance, and security.
- DevOps Engineer: Bridge the gap between development and operations, promoting collaboration and automation throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Cloud Solutions Architect: Design and implement secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions that meet the specific needs of an organization, leveraging your AWS expertise.
Conclusion
This blog post has focused on the key distinctions between the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate exams, SOA-C01 and SOA-C02. We’ve explored the exam format and the evolution of exam content highlighting the focus on proactive monitoring and cost optimization in the newer version. We’ve emphasized the power of the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate certification in propelling your cloud career forward. By equipping yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge, you can unlock a world of possibilities within the dynamic realm of cloud computing. So, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your cloud journey, consider taking the first step towards AWS expertise with this valuable certification.
