With almost all businesses relying on the cloud, it is no surprise that most individuals wanting to build a career in IT are choosing cloud computing.
However, as a beginner, it is also important to understand what cloud computing certification is best suited for your needs and goals.
Currently, the three industry standard credentials are offered by Amazon (AWS), Microsoft, and Google. However, there’s more to this niche than these three certifications, and this guide will help you choose the right one for you.
Why Cloud Computing Certifications Matter?
Before diving into what certifications you should go for, it’s important to understand why these are essential.
Cloud computing certifications:
- Validates your skills in a standardized manner.
- Shows potential employers that you have a verified knowledge of the role.
- Helps you bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
- Gives you a competitive edge over other beginner candidates.
Top Cloud Computing Certifications for Beginners
1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-01)
Now, if you have a basic understanding of the cloud and want to specialize in Amazon’s infrastructure, then this course is right for you.
Interestingly, this course is also recommended for individuals who don’t necessarily want to build a career in the cloud but want to specialize in Amazon, such as those in sales, marketing, or management roles.
By clearing the AWS CLF-01 certification exam, you highlight that you:
- Understand AWS Cloud core principles
- Are familiar with AWS security and compliance practices
- Are ready for advanced roles in the AWS Cloud network
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
The next industry-standard certification in this niche is the Azure AZ-900 by Microsoft. Since, this is also a vendor-specific credential, much like AWS, it is for beginners who want to progress in the Azure ecosystem.
It is also suitable for technical and non-technical candidates. Clearing the exam highlights that you:
- Understand differences between public, private, and hybrid clouds
- Are familiar with Azure services like storage, networking, and security
- Know how to manage Azure resources
3. Google Associate Cloud Engineer
Now, Google offers three types of cloud certification: Foundational, Associate, and Professional. If you happen to have some basic understanding of the cloud, then associate credentials are recommended, as Professional certification is very advanced.
Having the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification validates your ability to deploy, monitor, and manage solutions on GCP.
Although this is a more technical credential than Azure and AWS, it is regarded as the go-to choice for beginners.
4. CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ (CLO-002)
While the other certifications are tied to specific cloud providers, the CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ is vendor-neutral. This makes it an excellent choice if you’re exploring the cloud and want to understand core concepts without committing to a single platform.
It’s especially beneficial for those in non-technical roles, such as business managers or project coordinators. Clearing the CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ certification exam validates that you:
- Have a fundamental understanding of cloud concepts, including service and deployment models
- Can assess the business impact of cloud computing and relate it to business principles
- Are familiar with the management, governance, risk, and security aspects of the cloud
5. HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
Chances are that you haven’t even heard of this platform; however, it is owned by IBM and is a widely used tool for provisioning and managing infrastructure across multiple cloud providers.
Much like Google, it’s more technical than the foundational cloud certifications, and it’s considered a great entry point for a specialization in IaC.
Moreover, the Terraform Associate certification is for those who are starting to move into a DevOps or infrastructure-as-code (IaC) role.
How to Choose the Right Cloud Certificate?
Choosing the right certification depends on your career goals and what you want to specialize in.
Now, if you want to specialize in a particular platform, you cannot go wrong with AWS, Azure, or GCP.
However, if you want to work in the cloud but don’t want to commit to a specific vendor, CompTIA is your only option.
Lastly, if you see yourself going down a more technical path, then Terraform associate is ideal for you.
Whichever one you choose, just make sure you prepare thoroughly for these with reputed online cloud computing certification courses.
Final Words
Ultimately, all five cloud computing credentials mentioned above are ideal for beginners.
However, it is important to remember that obtaining these certifications is not the final goal. In the realm of information technology, it is crucial that you keep upskilling and aim for advanced cloud computing roles.