Cloud computing is not a buzzword now; rather, it is an injunction for the industries in today’s world. While companies keep on adopting solutions for their infrastructure needs with the help of the cloud, skilled professionals also see a high demand in the field of cloud computing. Be it the start of your career or upskilling, getting cloud certification opens all new opportunities, proves your expertise, and multiplies your earning potential manifold. Here’s a look at the top 5 cloud certifications to consider in 2024.
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
As AWS is the most-used cloud platform, and since the certifications are amongst the most respected in the industry, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate addresses those who want to demonstrate their skills in designing and deploying scalable, secure, and robust applications on AWS.
The Certified Cloud Practitioner certification covers the fundamental principles of cloud architecture: how to build a resilient system, how to do cost optimization, and how to set up security features. Target IT professionals desiring a strong background in AWS services, which would also give them solid grounds in cloud computing. AWS dominates the market, so this certification definitely helps you land jobs like Cloud Architect, Cloud Engineer, or Solutions Architect.
Why It’s Valuable: AWS currently leads the cloud industry with a market share of 33%; this certification, therefore, will be hugely in demand by employers. It is one of the best starting points for those who would want to specialize in AWS cloud technologies.
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
This certification fits any beginner in the field of cloud computing, or someone who is looking for foundational certification. This is a basic certificate that addresses fundamentals in cloud services and how they are implemented on Microsoft Azure, which happens to be the second largest cloud platform globally.
The Azure Fundamentals certification covers cloud concepts, Azure services, core solutions, and pricing. Since the training designed for this certification level is supposed to be easy and accessible for beginners, it may be a good first step in learning cloud computing without deep dives into technical details. This is perfect for IT professionals and project managers, or anyone who wants to understand how Azure fits into business solutions.
Why It’s Worth It: More and more projects are being built on top of Microsoft Azure. Companies from different fields are using Azure services. This certification will help you stand out when you apply to organizations reliant on Microsoft’s ecosystem.
3. Google Professional Cloud Architect
Google Cloud Platform is emerging as one of the major cloud providers, and Professional Cloud Architect is one of the most prestigious certifications they offer. This certification aims at that professional who can design and develop robust, secure, and scalable cloud architecture using GCP.
It covers, but is not limited to, your ability to design cloud architecture, manage cloud infrastructure, and assure compliance and security. As it is an advanced certification, experience working with Google Cloud services is recommended. This will help achieve a state of Cloud Architect, Cloud Consultant, or DevOps Engineer, probably in companies based on GCP.
Why It’s Worth It: Google Cloud professionals are sought after-in particular, in industries heavy in AI and machine learning. The Google Professional Cloud Architect certification has indeed been mentioned several times as being one of the highest-paying ones, attracting prospects aiming to acquire a senior-level position in the industry.
4. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Because cloud-native applications are now the norm, container orchestration skills have gone up. Certified Kubernetes Administrator or CKA is a niche certification targeted at professionals who want to show their proficiency in handling Kubernetes, one of the most strong and widely used container orchestration systems in cloud environments.
The CKA test is responsible for measuring your competency in configuring and managing the Kubernetes cluster, along with troubleshooting and deploying applications effectively. In cloud computing, especially for DevOps and SRE, Kubernetes has already managed to become one of the main elements. Holding this certification will make a statement about your competency to handle such complicated cloud infrastructure and hence will make you a valuable asset in any cloud or DevOps team.
Why It’s Valuable: Kubernetes is the de facto standard for container orchestration, and knowledge about this particular field is in high demand. CKA certification proves practical skills and might turn out to be a game-changer for your career in cloud computing and DevOps.
5. CompTIA Cloud+
The CompTIA Cloud+ is a vendor-neutral certification that covers more general aspects of cloud computing. Major cloud concepts are covered, such as cloud architecture, deployment, operations, security, and troubleshooting across various cloud environments.
This certification is ideal for IT pros seeking a deep understanding of cloud technology-not tied to one vendor in particular. CompTIA Cloud+ is very focused on practical and hands-on skills. It’s also a great option if you want to consider a multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environment. The following positions will be best suited for the CompTIA Cloud+: Cloud Specialist, Systems Administrator, Network Engineer.
Why It’s Valuable: With many organizations today adopting multi-cloud strategies, a vendor-neutral certification like CompTIA Cloud+ gives you a better opportunity to prove flexibility. It is a good option for an IT professional’s certifications that need to expand their knowledge of cloud beyond a single platform.
How to Get Started with Cloud Certifications
Which one is appropriate for you depends on your current skill level, your career goals, and the cloud platforms target employers use. In that regard, here are some tips for you to get started:
Evaluate Skill Level: If you have little or no experience with cloud computing, start with an entry-level certification, such as Microsoft Azure Fundamentals or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.
– Choose Your Platform: Therefore, select that cloud platform which is best fitted to your career goal. Of these, AWS, Azure, and GCP are the most famous, so it is recommended to choose a certification from one of those providers for better job prospects.
– Hands-On Practice: Most of the cloud certification examinations are practical, hands-on-based. Thus, hands-on practice via labs, sandbox environments, or trial cloud accounts is highly necessary.
One good way to do this is by investing in study resources: official training, practice exams, and study guides. Most providers provide online courses, free and paid, to set you up for success.
Conclusion
Cloud computing is an in-demand skill, and certification gives you an edge in the job market, which is highly competitive. Whether one wants to embark on the cloud journey or further enhance skill sets related to this domain, the top 5 certifications listed herein are excellent options for consideration in 2024. Each of these has specific benefits and will considerably help in building a successful career in this highly dynamic field. Together with the right certification, you will be perfectly prepared to take on job responsibilities linked with the cloud and tap the full potential created by cloud technologies.
Which cloud certification will you be after in 2024? Your choice, your possibilities. Happy certifying!
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