Digital transformation is rapidly changing the world around us. The value of the connectivity, agility, and dynamic solutions that technology provides daily drives tech companies to improve and reinvent the wheel consistently.
Cloud is the backbone of keeping the world connected via technology. From public to private cloud servers storing the data that runs the world, the demand for cloud-certified professionals is higher than ever. Moreover, this number is only bound to increase, considering cloud services’ pivotal role in enhancing business solutions across businesses.
The tech industry is rapidly evolving, and with this, there are always new developments happening in cloud computing. Keeping your skills, knowledge, and practice up to date with these services is a consistent challenge for individuals. This is where cloud certifications come to the rescue. Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, and the likes offer guided cloud certification courses.
To help you pick, we have compiled a list of the top cloud certification courses offered by various providers, so you can make a knowledgeable decision on choosing the right one for you!
Top 5 Cloud Certifications
1. Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals
Perfect for beginners, this course covers the fundamental concepts of the cloud. This exam tests the foundational knowledge of cloud systems concerning Microsoft Azure. You can take this exam irrespective of your background. Ranked in the top 5 cloud certifications on our list due to how versatile and accessible this course is to start your journey with the cloud. This course certification has lifetime validity.
This is the right certification for you if:
- You are interested in learning the basics of cloud computing.
- You want to build a strong foundational base.
- You are interested in starting your journey towards becoming an expert in cloud services.
Key learnings from completion of this certification:
- Fundamental concepts of cloud.
- Insight into privacy, security, and compliance concerning Azure.
- Knowledge of Azure’s technical services, pricing SLA’s, and more.
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate
Amazon Web Services started in 2006, quickly climbing up the ladder of cloud service providers. Since 2013 they have launched many certified courses to train and build a strong community of developers. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect- Associate examination is ideal for individuals with one year plus experience in handling a solutions architect role, with exposure in designing cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS. It is one of the most popular certification choices out there.
This is the right course for you if:
- You have got prior knowledge of working with compute, networking, storage, and database.
- Understand and can define technical requirements for an Amazon Web Service application.
- Familiarity with the Amazon Web Service global infrastructure, network technologies, and AWS’s security features and tools.
- Have experience with building, deploying, and managing services through the AWS system.
Key learnings from completion of this certification:
- This certification gives you credibility as a cloud service architect capable of deploying secure and robust applications on AWS technologies.
- Knowledge to design customer-centric solutions.
- Provide consultancy and guidance on implementing cloud services based on business operations.
Investment: 150 USD for the exam – Book here.
Average Annual Salary: USD 1,30,883
Click here to start practicing AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate exam practice tests.
3. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
The Amazon Web Service certified Systems Operations Administrator course is one of the most sought-after certifications in its field. Ideal for anyone with over a year of work experience as a system administrator in operations, management, and deployment on Amazon’s web services.
This is the right course for you if:
- You are looking to diversify your skills as a developer.
- You are an existing systems operations manager looking to feature your expertise?
- You are a systems administrator looking to validate your skills expertise.
- Have a strong background in auditing and monitoring systems.
- Come with expert knowledge in networking and virtualization.
- Have working knowledge of security tools.
- Are familiar with using API tools.
Key learnings from completion of this certification:
- Create automatable and repeatable networks and system deployments on AWS cloud.
- Configure, design, deploy and manage fault-tolerant systems.
- Manage the costs of AWS usage and run operational cost control.
- Understand the workings of data security and integrity on AWS.
Total Investment: 150 USD – Book here.
Average Annual Salary: 1,30,272 USD
Click here to start practicing AWS Certified SysOps Administrator exam practice tests.
4. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect
One of the toughest certification exams on the list, the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect is not ideal for beginners. However, this certification is suitable for cloud architects with strong work experience to upskill and prove their expertise.
This course is for you if:
- You have prior work experience as a cloud architect.
- You have a basic foundational understanding of GCP.
- You have already cleared the Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer course.
- Understand and can analyze various business processes.
- Are proficient in building software developments.
Key learnings from completion of this certification:
- Form a strong foundation in the design, planning, and implementation of cloud architecture.
- Identify and control data flows.
- Understand GCP decision flowcharts.
- Equips you with the skills and knowledge to determine, plan, evaluate and execute cloud architecture.
- Provides you with an understanding of the security and compliance requirements of Google Cloud.
Total Investment: 200 USD – Book here.
Average Annual Salary: 139,000–175,000 USD
Click here to start practicing Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam practice tests.
5. Comp-TIA Cloud+
Unlike the rest of the options on the list, this one does not focus on just one cloud service. The comp-TIA cloud certification tests your knowledge of cloud security across different cloud services and touches upon the processes of Azure, Google, and Amazon.
This course certification is right for you if:
- You are looking for a broader certification course that focuses on the IT infrastructure of cloud services as a whole.
- Have expertise across multiple products and platforms.
- Previously worked as a cloud engineer or a cloud consultant.
- Are proficient in analyzing business processes.
- Have a strong technical understanding of IT infrastructure.
- Have managed service provider personnel or data-centric professionals
Key learnings from completion of this certification:
- In-depth knowledge of terms and definitions of cloud computing.
- Ability to differentiate between different cloud computing systems.
- Understanding of deployment of different cloud computing.
- Ability to adopt SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS to a cloud infrastructure.
- Identify the bugs, and plan strategic flexibility to integrate computing infrastructure.
Total Investment: 232 USD – Book here.
Average Annual Salary: 67,541 USD.
How to Find the Right Certification?
A cloud certification can help seriously boost your skills and CV. It opens up more and higher-paying work avenues and is a great way to start or recharge your career. Nevertheless, where do you start?
A good way to start is by listing out the skills you already have and what you would like to gain. This can help narrow down to either a specific course or a vendor like Google, Amazon, Azure.
You can pick either a vendor or a non-vendor-specific certification. So that brings us to the question of what is the main difference between these?
Our list of top 5 courses focuses on five different certifications offered by various vendors and one that’s a general course in itself. So broadly, you can divide certifications into vendor-specific and general.
General courses focus on a broader, more foundational knowledge of cloud computing across courses. The vendor-specific ones are more focused on preparing you for jobs in the vendors’ field and are hence more detail-oriented and specific.
Having a neutral certification comes into play when looking to work for a hybrid or multi-solution company.
How QwikSkills Can Help You Get Certified?
You have decided to get certified; that is great. Now what? Cloud certifications can help kickstart and boost your career to the next level, but they are not such high-paying jobs for no reason.
In order to get your certification, you need to ensure that you are thoroughly prepared! QwikSkills provides you with a well-designed practice test structure that ensures that you are fully covered for your exam.
Practice tests are known to boost your exam confidence levels and are a great way of testing your level of preparedness. QwikSkills offers an intelligent practice test module curated by subject experts and is consistently updated with the most relevant questions and resources.
The final verdict
You do not need to pick just one certification. In fact, the more you add to your skill set, the more credibility it adds to your job role! Begin by defining your interests and appearing for one certified course; once you have managed this, you can always upskill. Think of it as climbing a ladder to expertise.
There are many certifications out there, and each offers its value additions to your professional scorecard. However, if you are still confused, you can feel free to reach out to our team at: hello@qwikskills.com, and we would be happy to guide you with the right courses and equip you with the training resources required to master the skills needed to ace the certification!
