Looking for career development in today’s IT market? Decide to benchmark your cloud computing skills with the highly recommended and best cloud certification.
Cloud is growing as the critical part of the IT market which, in turn, increasing the demand for cloud professionals. But due to the large competition in the job market, it becomes important to prove your knowledge and expertise in a field. If you are in cloud computing and expecting to land a new job or to get a promotion, this list of best cloud certification (including the best of AWS cloud certification, Azure cloud certification, and Google Cloud certification) will prove a great choice for you. Becoming a certified cloud professional will give your cloud career a new edge and thus will make you stand out of the crowd.
The recent research says “There is a huge demand for IT professionals with validated cloud computing skills. More companies are adopting cloud technologies, and 40% of the businesses are struggling for qualified employees”.
Also Check: Best Cloud Certification Training Courses
IT Landscape and Cloud Computing
The certifications act as a measure of one’s skills and knowledge of a domain over the IT landscape. IT Certifications demonstrate your skills to the employers that you have a great mix of knowledge and expertise. If you want to get a specialization, go for one or more certifications from the top cloud platforms, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google or Salesforce. It will help you to get promoted in your current job and to get a better job opportunity.
The current landscape of cloud computing is bright and the future is going to be even brighter. As a result of the industry analysis, the projections show that the overall cloud computing budget will top $162 billion by 2020. At present, AWS (Amazon Web Services) is the most dominant cloud computing player with 43% yearly growth. Amazon Web Services cloud is being followed by the Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. These top cloud players are offering a number of top cloud certifications, most of them comprise the list of best cloud certification.
According to the Wikibon predictions, “AWS revenue is expected to reach $43 billion by 2022”.
5 Best Cloud Certifications in 2022-23
Independent of the vendor and specialization, the choice of best cloud certification will surely help you take your career to one level up. But a number of new certifications are popping up constantly. These create confusion among professionals on how to choose the right one from the available list of best cloud certifications. Here’s our round-up of the most valuable and in-demand cloud computing certifications you should consider. And below is an updated list of the 5 best cloud certifications for 2018-19.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
- Google Cloud Architect Certification
- Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge
Excited to get more information about these top 5 cloud certifications for 2018? Just move down and keep reading this article.
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
Amazon Web Services is no doubt the cloud market leader. Launched in 2013, AWS offers three certification paths – Architecting, Developing, and Operations with two levels, Associate, and Professional. Later on, Amazon Web Services launched two specialty certifications to validate the special cloud skills. These certifications are – AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty and AWS Certified Big Data Specialty.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate is the first level of the Architecting path. This certification is for the individuals who want to design and deploy cloud applications and services using Amazon Web Services. AWS CSAA is popularly recognized as the best cloud certification over the cloud landscape. This certification exam proves one’s knowledge and experience of architecting and deploying robust and secure apps on the AWS platform. After AWS Architect Associate certification, one can move to the AWS Professional certification.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate – Exam Overview
Eligibility Criteria
There is no prerequisite for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam. But there are some requirements to be eligible for the certification exam:
- One or more years of experience in designing and deploying cloud applications on the AWS platform
- Capability to identify the basic requirements for an application to be designed on AWS
- Considerable knowledge of at least one high-level programming language
- Knowledge of deploying hybrid systems with AWS components
- Ability to suggest best practices to develop reliable and secure applications on the AWS platform
Try Now: Free Questions for AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam.
Exam Objectives
The AWS CSAA exam is for the individuals who have a significant experience in designing distributed systems and applications on the AWS platform. The concepts you need to be familiar with for this certification exam include:
- Design and deploy highly available, robust, and scalable applications on AWS platform
- Lifting and shifting of an ongoing application to the AWS platform
- Submit and access the data on the AWS platform
- Selection of AWS service appropriate for data, calculation, and security requirements
- Identify and define best practices for AWS architecture
- Identify cost control techniques for the estimated AWS costs
Available Job Positions
There job positions for which an AWS certified Solutions Architecture Associate may apply are the Solutions Architect, Software Architect, and Senior Solutions Cloud Architect.
Average Salary
A Solutions Architect may get a raise of up to 20% in his/her salary on passing AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification exam, thus identified as best cloud certification. The average salary that is offered to an AWS Certified Solutions Architect is $123,801 while the range may vary from $108,045 – $137,825 per annum.
Give your preparation a new edge with these Top Interview Questions for an AWS Solutions Architect!
2. 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Microsoft Azure is popularly known as the modern business cloud. Microsoft Azure certification is recognized as one of the best cloud certification in IT industry. If you are into Azure services or looking for a career in Azure, MS Azure certifications will help you to boost your career. Microsoft Azure offers different certifications to demonstrate your expertise in developing, implementing, and maintaining MS Azure Infrastructure solution. This certification exam checks one’s practical knowledge of Azure platform.
MS Azure 70-533 certification exam enables you to meet future business requirements by enhancing your cloud skills. This certification proves your skills of Azure operations and implementation to the world. It helps you to show your expertise in implementing Microsoft Azure infrastructure solutions. A certified Azure professional will be able to execute application architecture on the Azure.
70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions – Exam Overview
Eligibility Criteria
There is no prerequisite for the Azure Architect certification 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions. But there are some requirements one needs to be qualified to be eligible for the certification exam:
- One or more years of experience in web development in the high-level language (.NET, PHP, Ruby, or Python)
- Understanding of basic structure of the MS Azure platform
- Basic knowledge of networking concepts
- Familiarity with the concepts related to Azure infrastructure (Active Directory, Networking, and Powershell)
Preparing for 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions Exam? Here is the complete guide on How to Prepare for Microsoft Azure 70-533 Exam.
Exam Objectives
The Microsoft Azure Exam 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure is the best cloud certification. It is for the professionals with a keen understanding of developing and deploying cloud applications on Azure platform. The concepts you need to be familiar with for this certification exam include:
- Implementation and Management of Azure Network
- Designing and implementing Azure App Services
- Creating and managing Virtual Machines
- Designing and implementing Backup, Storage, and Recovery
- Planning and implementation of Azure SQL Database and its Security
- Implementation of PaaS Cloud Services
- Maintenance and management of an active directory in a hybrid environment
- Implementation of Azure-based management automation
Applicable Careers/ Job Positions
The job positions for which you can apply on passing Microsoft Azure Exam 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions certification exam are the Solutions Architect, DevOps/ Application Engineer, .Net Developer, Security Administrator or Network/ Virtualization Engineer.
Average Salary
The average annual salary for certified professionals with Microsoft Azure Exam 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions is $136,750. The range of salary that can be offered to a certified Azure certified professional may vary as $105,000 – $168,500 per annum.
3. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
The AWS SysOps Associate Administrator Associate certification is the associate level certification for the system administrators. This is one of the highest paying and top cloud certifications over the industry. This is the best cloud certification for the system administrators working on cloud applications based on AWS platform. This certification demonstrates your knowledge of deploying, operating and managing systems on the AWS platform. This certification enables you to create cost-effective and appropriate cloud services with proper protection.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate – Exam Overview
Eligibility Criteria
There is no prerequisite for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator exam. But there are some requirements one needs to be qualified to be eligible for the certification exam:
- One or more years of considerable experience in operating cloud applications on AWS platform
- Good knowledge of setting up, operating, and maintaining the AWS based systems
- Capability to identify and collect the basic requirements for a solution to be designed and operated on AWS
- Ability to provide guidance on AWS operations and deployment
- Capability to suggest best practices all over the project lifecycle to develop reliable and secure applications on the AWS platform
Try Now: 15 Free Questions for AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate Exam
Exam Objectives
The AWS SysOps Administrator exam validates your expertise in deploying, managing, and operating functions on the AWS platform. The concepts you need to be familiar with for this certification exam include:
- Deployment, management, and operations of highly available, scalable, and robust systems on AWS platform
- Lifting and shifting of an existing application to AWS
- Implementation and controlling data flow over the AWS platform
- Selection of AWS service appropriate for data, calculation, security requirements
- Recognize and define best practices for AWS architecture
- Identify cost control techniques for the estimated AWS costs
Applicable Careers/ Job Positions
The job position you can apply for on passing The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate level certification exam is the Systems Administrator, and Cloud Admin.
Average Salary
The average annual salary offered to the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate is $111,966. The range of salary that can be offered to a certified AWS administrator is $92,050 – $136,000 per annum.
Getting prepared to become a certified AWS SysOps Administrator Associate? Follow these Top 7 Tips for Preparing AWS SysOps Administrator Associate Exam.
4. Google Cloud Architect Certification
Google cloud certifications are intended for professionals who want to validate their knowledge of Google technologies and Cloud architecture. The Google Cloud Architect certification is one of the best cloud certification offered by Google. It demonstrates one’s technical expertise and skills for the role of Cloud Architect. It gives you the understanding of Google cloud platform and architecture. Also, it makes your proficient in designing, developing, and managing scalable, robust, and secure solutions on Google Cloud. To become a certified Google Cloud Architect, one needs to pass professional Cloud Architect exam.
Google Cloud Architect – Exam Overview
Eligibility Criteria
There is no prerequisite for the Google Cloud Architect certification exam. But there are some requirements one needs to be qualified to be eligible for the certification exam:
- One or more years of considerable experience in operating cloud applications based on Google technologies
- Good knowledge of setting up, operating, and maintaining the Google cloud solutions
- Capability to identify and collect the basic requirements for a solution to be designed and operated on Google cloud
- Ability to provide guidance on implementing Google cloud solutions
- Basic understanding of multi-tiered distributed applications and micro-services in hybrid and multi-cloud environments
- Capability to suggest best practices to develop reliable and secure applications using Google cloud technologies
According to Goldman Sachs’ Heather Bellini, a Google Cloud Professional is technically capable to increase market share to 13% by 2020.
Exam Objectives
The Google Cloud Architect certification exam is to validate your expertise in designing, deploying, and managing solutions on Google cloud. The concepts you need to be familiar with for this certification exam include:
- Planning and designing the architecture of a cloud solution
- Provisioning and managing solution infrastructure
- Identifying and designing compliance and security
- Analysis and optimization of business and technical processes
- Management of the implementation process
- Ensuring the reliability of operations and solutions
Applicable Careers/ Job Positions
The career options are not limited to the certified Google cloud architect but earning a professional certification will bring more opportunities for a Google Cloud Architect.
Average Salary
The average annual salary offered to the Certified Google Cloud Architect is $164,000. The range of salary that can be offered to a certified Google Cloud Solutions Architect may vary from $129,000 – $200,000 per annum.
Try Now: 10 Free Questions for Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect Exam
5. Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge
With the adoption of cloud for storing sensitive information, the requirement of information security professionals is also increasing. There is a huge demand for individuals with knowledge of implementing cloud security programs for cloud security.
So, if you are looking for one of the best cloud security certifications, Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge is the right choice for you. It is a credential that validates your expertise in cloud security, offered by Cloud Security Alliance. This certification is meant for the Security and IT professionals to enhance their skills.
Eligibility Criteria
There is no prerequisite for the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) exam. But there are some requirements one needs to be qualified to be eligible for the certification exam:
- Significant experience of working on applications based on one of the cloud services
- Basic understanding of the fundamentals of cloud security
- Knowledge of security concepts such as secure development, identity management, firewalls, and encryption
- Knowledge of secure lifting and shifting of an organization to the cloud
- Capability to identify and collect the basic requirements to develop a secure cloud solution
- Ability to provide guidance on implementing secure Google cloud solutions
- Basic understanding of maintaining cloud solution security in hybrid and multi-cloud environments
- Capability to suggest best practices to develop secure applications on Cloud
Based on the Average Salary Survey 2016, Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) was awarded as the best cloud security certification with rank #1 by the Certification Magazine.
Try Now: Free Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge Practice Questions
Exam Objectives
The Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) is to validate your expertise in information security over the cloud. The concepts you need to be familiar with for this certification exam include:
- Keen understanding of cloud computing architecture
- Ability to identify requirements and suggesting recommendations
- Protection of data migration and the management of client database
- Access, maintenance, and recovery of information on cloud
- Capability to build access control and perform security testing
- Implementation of cloud security as a Service (SaaS)
- Good knowledge of identity, virtualization, and entitlement process
Applicable Careers/ Job Positions
The Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge is not limited to any job position or career. It is the best cloud certification for cloud security. IT can be applicable to the number of IT jobs in cloud computing. These jobs may be related to the development, designing, implementation, architecture, management or security of cloud solutions.
Average Salary
The average annual salary offered to the candidate with Certified Cloud Security Knowledge certification is $120,370. The range of salary that can be offered to a certified Cloud Security Expert may vary from $98,000 – $140,850 per annum.
According to the latest Q4 data from Synergy Research Group, Quarterly Cloud Infrastructure Service revenues have reached over $13 billion while revenue for the year 2017 shows a growth of 44% from the previous year.
Final Thoughts
Cloud Computing has been a buzzword in 2017-18 and is unexpectedly getting the same flow in 2019. If you want to give your career a competitive edge, recognition and advancement of cloud computing skills is the right choice. It is recommended to demonstrate your cloud computing skills with any best cloud certification from the above list.
So, what are you waiting for? Give your career a boost in 2019 with validated cloud computing skills. Amazon, Azure, and Google are the top three cloud leaders and offer a number of cloud certifications. We have picked the top cloud certifications for you to help you have a bright cloud career. Choose the one that suits your skills and become a certified cloud professional.
We have everything you need to learn advanced IT skills and enhance your career. Go through our best Cloud Certification Training Courses and Practice Material and boost your Cloud Career.
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Very informative, no doubt the demand for cloud security certifications is on demand.
Thanks for sharing this information. I think this is a really good article
Thank you, Jacob.
Very useful post. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog. Truly, its great article. will look forward to read more articles.
Sure, will keep on bringing useful content. Keep reading 🙂
Thank you for sharing this information, this is definitely very useful!
Thank you for the appreciation!
Really I am very happy to read this article . No dought that my hope is to enroll my graduated secondary scoll son in cloud computing field.
Many thsnks
Ali Hasan
Thank you, Ali. Wish you the best!
You talked about the CCSK at length and then gave the salary range for the CCSP. Not the same certification.
Hey Neeru, knowledgable article indeed. I want to venture into cloud tech from a different technology background. Is that possible? Which certificate should I go for?
May I know what is associate level certificate in GCP
I notice all the exams have requirements where you have to have experience already working in the field or with those technologies. How can I gain experience to take the exams?