By Sarah MorganCertifications are a great way for IT professionals to prove that their knowledge and skills are up-to-date. They can be especially crucial in a fast moving industry like cloud computing, where importance is placed on keeping up with new technology or running the risk of becoming outdated.
Cloud now encompasses hybrid, public and private technologies as well as the software and dedicated hardware that enables these systems to work together. For businesses to
reap the full benefits of cloud these systems must be built, maintained and secured by skilled IT professionals.
Industry experience combined with official certification can go a long way to
getting you hired by businesses in need of cloud-skilled employees. So, if you need to advance your cloud knowledge or are looking for a career-changing technology in 2015, some of these certifications may be just what you need. Let's take a look at the best cloud certifications for 2015:
1. CompTIA Cloud+
The
CompTIA Cloud+ will validate your cloud knowledge and prove you understand the best practices required to work within cloud environments.
This certification has been designed by
CompTIA to act as a career step toward cloud focused roles for experienced network, storage and data administrators. Because of this, it’s recommend you have at least 2-3 years’ experience with networking, storage or data centre administration as well as familiarity with hypervisor technologies.
With the Cloud+ you’ll prove you can:
- Understand the available cloud delivery models and services
- Maintain, implement and provide cloud infrastructure
- Explain, identify and implement security techniques
- Implement and use resource monitoring techniques
The Cloud+ is a well-rounded certification used in a wide range of jobs from cloud engineer to business analyst.
If you’re more interested in cloud technology from a business and technical perspective, we recommend you take a look at
CompTIA’s Cloud Essential certification. This alternative certification focuses on the business value of cloud, steps to successful adoption and the risks and consequences of the technology.
2. Microsoft Specialist: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
Microsoft’s Public Cloud service, Microsoft Azure is gaining popularity worldwide with 1000s of new customers joining every day. Microsoft have made a clear commitment to Azure, investing over $15 billion in building and maintaining the datacentres that power the platform.
To complement their cloud portfolio and to encourage Azure uptake, Microsoft introduced two new specialist certifications in 2014.
The first of these – Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions – is focused at IT developers with basic experience in implementing and monitoring Microsoft Azure solutions.
Achieve this certification and you’ll be able to establish your own Azure virtual network environment, construct Azure Virtual Machines, host azure websites and design your own resilient cloud applications.
If you already hold the
MCSD: Web Application cert, this qualification is a brilliant way for you to achieve a rounded understanding of the Azure platform.
To achieve the certification you’ll have to pass
Microsoft Exam: 70-532. Plus, both specialist certs do not require any pre-requisites as they are not part of Microsoft’s typical certification track.
3. Microsoft Specialist: Implementing Microsoft Azure Solutions
The second of Microsoft’s new specialist Azure certifications is aimed at experienced IT professionals who administer on-premise infrastructure. As such, you’ll be expected to possess an understanding of virtualisation, network configuration, Active Directory, and database concepts.
Complete this certification and you’ll prove your ability to:
- Implement and manage virtual networking within Azure
- Plan and create Azure virtual machines
- Deploy and configure websites in Azure
- Manage and backup monitor storage solutions
To achieve the certification you’ll have to pass the
Microsoft Exam: 70-533. Both specialist certs do not require any pre-requisites as they are not part of Microsoft’s typical certification track.
4. VMware® vSphere 5.5
When it comes to cloud, experience with virtualization technology is "very important, since that's essentially what makes cloud computing more flexible and increases utilization," argues Wendy Duarte, vice president of recruiting at
Mondo.
As one of the fundamental technologies powering cloud computing, it’s no surprise that a virtualisation certification would feature on our top 5 list.
VMware’s Mike Adams states the relationship between virtualisation and cloud succinctly, - “Virtualization is a foundational element of cloud computing and helps deliver on the value of cloud computing…Cloud computing is the delivery of shared computing resources, software or data — as a service and on-demand through the Internet."
Products like VMware vSphere allow businesses to cut the cost of their server sprawl by running multiple operating systems and applications on a single computer, which can then be easily accessed remotely.
vSphere 5.5 eliminates the need to run several sub-optimal servers, but as always, it takes skilled IT professionals to implement and manage this powerful technology. So, to sharpen your virtualisation skills or to take the first steps towards bringing virtualisation to your organisation, we recommend you take a look at
VMware’s vSphere 5.5 certification.
Find out more about vSphere 5.5
here, but bear in mind, this certification may change with the release of vSphere 6 sometime in 2015.
5. Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
Security is a primary concern for businesses pre and post cloud migration. With the CCSK, you’ll prove you can handle cloud security vulnerabilities.
The CCSK is a web-based certification that tests for a broad knowledge of cloud security and includes topics from architecture, governance, compliance, operations, encryption and virtualisation.
To complete this cert you’ll need to pass the CCSK examination: a 60-question multiple choice exam, completed within 90 minutes. Don’t be fooled by the open-book nature of this assessment - you simply won’t have enough time to research every answer individually (and still pass).
It’s worth noting that the CCSK is not a substitute for other cloud certifications. Instead, the CCSK augments your other credentials by proving your knowledge and competency in cloud computing security.
The CCSK is a great supporting certification for IT professionals holding
ISACA’s CISA qualification. CISAs emphasise that the CCSK provides the necessary context and focus to effectively audit cloud environments.
Plus, the CCSK can also be employed effectively aside
(ISC)2’s CISSP due to the parallels between both certifications Bodies of Knowledge. Additionally, the CCSK builds upon the CISSP by providing context that is important to the cloud.
Since Cloud Security Alliance first released their
Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) in 2010, thousands of IT and security professionals have utilised it as an effective way to upgrade their skills.
Prove your knowledge
Cloud computing, one of Gartner’s top 10 technology trends for 2015, has already attracted
90% of businesses who now operate using the technology. Cloud’s flexible cost scaling and cost saving has resulted in a massive demand for cloud-ready IT professionals.
In fact, 65% of IT departments can’t find enough qualified staff to support their cloud projects, report IDC.
Now you just need the qualifications to prove you can support this in-demand technology.
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About the Author: Sarah writes for Firebrand Training on a number of IT related topics. This includes exams, training, certification trends, project management, certification, careers advice and the industry itself. Sarah has 11 years of experience in the IT industry.
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