Becoming A Cloud Computing Professional

Now is the perfect time to focus on cloud computing and elevate your skills. One way to achieve this is by earning a top cloud computing certification. But why choose cloud computing? One compelling reason is the financial rewards. Professionals with cloud certifications, such as network architects, cloud architects, and cloud network engineers, often earn impressive six-figure salaries—a topic we’ll explore further. Beyond financial benefits, cloud computing offers another key advantage: job security.

The demand for cloud computing experts has skyrocketed, driven by the rapid pace of digital transformation accelerated by the pandemic. Cloud skills are more in demand than ever as businesses aim to maximize the potential of cloud-based technologies.

IT professionals can snag a cloud computing job by earning a cloud certification. Employers are seeking IT pros with expert-level skills related to:

• Cloud architecture and design
• Cloud concepts
• Cloud solutions
• Security within the cloud
• Automation and virtualization
• The public vs. private cloud
• Big data
• Data science

Pursuing the best cloud certification for you is the first step to obtaining these skills and starting your cloud computing career.

Numerous cloud computing certifications can enhance your career, strengthen your resume, and help you develop essential cloud skills. One highly recommended option to start with is CompTIA Cloud+.

CompTIA Cloud+ is frequently recognized as one of the top cloud certifications for 2024, with DataCamp highlighting its value for beginners. According to DataCamp, “Vendor-neutral certifications like CompTIA Cloud+ are often recommended for beginners as they provide a broad understanding of cloud concepts applicable across various platforms, laying a solid foundation.”

The certification focuses on several key areas:

• Cloud architecture and design
• Security
• Deployment
• Operations and support
• Troubleshooting

The CompTIA Cloud+ (CV0-003) certification delves deeply into cloud information security, ensuring that professionals gain hands-on experience securing cloud environments, regardless of the vendor. This versatility makes it an excellent foundational certification that complements vendor-specific cloud credentials.

Although there are no formal prerequisites, candidates pursuing CompTIA Cloud+ are advised to have two to three years of experience in system administration or networking. Earning certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Server+ beforehand can help candidates build a strong knowledge base and improve their chances of success.

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) certification is a leading credential for professionals with AWS cloud experience, aimed at those seeking to advance their careers with AWS technologies.

This certification is specifically designed for individuals already in a solutions architect role or aspiring to one. Candidates should ideally have at least one year of experience designing distributed systems on AWS.

Earning the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification equips professionals to:

• Design and deploy secure, scalable applications using AWS technologies
• Develop cloud solutions based on architectural design principles tailored to customer requirements
• Provide implementation guidance throughout the project lifecycle using AWS best practices
• Manage and optimize SaaS applications

While there are no formal prerequisites for this certification, it is recommended that candidates have a minimum of two years of hands-on experience with AWS cloud services. Additionally, those pursuing this certification may also find value in exploring the AWS Certified Developer certification to further enhance their expertise.

One of the top cloud computing certifications to consider this year is the Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer certification. This credential prepares IT professionals to take on cloud DevOps engineer roles, where the focus is on creating operational processes that ensure fast delivery and dependable service.

Professionals who earn this certification gain expertise in:

• Developing software delivery pipelines
• Managing incident responses effectively
• Deploying and monitoring cloud-based services

Cloud DevOps is a specialized and growing field. The Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer certification is an excellent choice for those looking to work within the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) ecosystem as a cloud engineer.

The certification exam covers a wide range of topics, including optimizing service performance, implementing service-monitoring strategies, and applying site reliability engineering (SRE) principles.

This certification is just one of many excellent cloud computing credentials available. Be sure to research other options, especially if you have a preference for working with specific vendor technologies or platforms.

Are you aiming to become a skilled Microsoft cloud administrator? The Azure Administrator Associate certification might be the perfect fit. This credential demonstrates proficiency in Azure fundamentals and equips professionals with the knowledge needed to implement, monitor, and manage Microsoft Azure solutions effectively.

The Azure Administrator Associate certification exam evaluates candidates on services related to:

• Computing
• Storage
• Networking
• Security

While this certification is beginner-friendly, it is recommended for individuals with at least six months of hands-on experience in relevant areas. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to build a career working with Microsoft Azure technologies.

One of the main reasons IT professionals pursue a career in cloud computing is the earning potential. But what is the return on investment (ROI) for individual cloud certifications? As of 2023, the average salary for a CompTIA Cloud+ certified professional in the United States is around $85,000 per year, according to PayScale. With experience and specialized roles, salaries can exceed $100,000 annually.

Here’s a breakdown of average salaries for some other notable cloud certifications:

Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer: $128,000 (Glassdoor)
Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate: $88,000 (ZipRecruiter)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: $183,000 (Glassdoor)

These certifications provide excellent earning potential, and the figures above often represent starting points for professionals who hold these credentials.

While a high salary is appealing, IT professionals should focus on certifications that align with their career goals and provide the right foundation of cloud skills. Choosing the certification that fits your career path is often more valuable than simply selecting the highest-paying option.

For those looking to develop versatile cloud skills, a vendor-neutral certification like CompTIA Cloud+ is a great choice. These certifications prepare you to work across various cloud platforms or within multi-cloud environments, making them highly adaptable.

Additionally, vendor-neutral certifications complement vendor-specific ones. Combining a vendor-neutral certification with a vendor-specific one can enhance your expertise and potentially result in a higher salary than holding just one type of certification.

Note: Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and job market conditions. For example, advertised salaries in job postings may not always reflect total compensation, which can include bonuses or other benefits. Candidates in competitive labor markets often negotiate higher pay than what is listed.

Beginners exploring cloud computing should start with a vendor-neutral certification like CompTIA Cloud+. This foundational certification provides a broad understanding of cloud concepts and is an excellent stepping stone before pursuing vendor-specific certifications. Professionals who earn a vendor-neutral certification first and then add vendor-specific credentials tend to establish themselves more effectively in the field. It’s also important for beginners to gain hands-on IT experience to solidify their knowledge.

Diving directly into vendor-specific cloud certifications or programs without prerequisites can be overwhelming for those new to the industry. Building a strong foundation in general cloud concepts is crucial. It not only boosts confidence but also equips aspiring IT professionals with the knowledge to tackle more specialized certifications with ease. This approach lays the groundwork for a successful career in cloud computing.

CompTIA Cloud+ is widely recognized by staffing firms, educational institutions, and IT publications as one of the top cloud computing certifications. Its vendor-neutral approach makes it a valuable complement to any vendor-specific cloud certification.

With CompTIA Cloud+, IT professionals can advance to expert-level roles faster. Individuals with this certification often take on positions such as security administrators, cloud systems administrators, directors, network engineers, network security analysts, and network technicians.

As the only vendor-neutral, performance-based certification covering multiple vendors and functions, CompTIA Cloud+ empowers you to maximize the value of cloud infrastructure services and ensures you gain skills that are versatile and impactful.

CompTIA Cloud+ helps you build a skill set that:

• Applies to any vendor or equipment.
• Lays the foundation for advanced cloud certifications.
• Enhances your earning potential.

Here’s how Accumentum supports you in earning the Cloud+ certification:

• Access comprehensive training tools, including self-paced online courses, interactive labs, exam prep materials, and study guides, to help you prepare for the certification.
• Take advantage of discounts and financing options to make earning your certification more affordable.
• CompTIA offers online certification exams, ensuring you can test safely and conveniently from home.
• Use a digital badge to showcase your Cloud+ certification and enhance your visibility to potential employers.

Accumentum is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way as you earn the cloud computing certification that aligns with your career goals.

Accumentum® is the leading training provider for a vast array of technology vendors including AWS, Cisco, CIW, CompTIA, EC-Council, Fortinet, GIAC, HRCI, ISACA, ITIL, Microsoft, Palo Alto, PMI, Scrum, SHRM, Veritas, VMWare, and more.