Which AWS Cloud Certification Is Right for Me?

Airbnb. Dole. Netflix. McDonald’s. If you had to name one thing these mega companies have in general, you could begin with the cloud. They all run some part of their business on the AWS cloud platform.

As global companies like Airbnb and McDonald’s migrate to the AWS cloud or merely build new cloud-native applications there, it’s more and more necessary for their system architects, developers, and operators to become expert in deploying and managing their operating systems, services, resources, and applications in the cloud.

That’s why if you are seeming for a new IT job or a unique role in your current organization, or want to continue to grow in your current position, holding an AWS certification can be an essential asset for your career. Becoming an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or an AWS Certified DevOps Engineer does it evident to everyone that you know your cloud stuff. In fact, according to a fresh report on the average salary of an AWS-certified IT professional is about $113,932 the 5th highest paying certification.

This is the foundational exam that includes the core principles of the AWS cloud platform. It exam addresses the necessary services, features, and use cases of AWS. You will need to answer questions about AWS’ security and compliance model, and you will also require to show a working knowledge of how billing, support, and pricing works. You can also anticipate questions about deploying resources and services in the AWS cloud.

Prerequisites: Amazon suggests you bring six months of AWS experience to this exam, but that experience can be in any position, including technical and non-technical roles. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam is perfect for groups who want a certification that covers general knowledge of the AWS platform.

• Format: Multiple choice questions
• Time: 90 minutes
• Fee: $100

If you require to prove you know how to build and deploy systems in the AWS cloud, this is the exam, to begin with. In the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, you will be asked about cloud-based solutions for deployments that accompany strict requirements and called on to demonstrate a knowledge of architectural best practices. To pass AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam, you will aspire to have had plenty of experience deploying, configuring, and managing computes, network, storage, and database services in AWS. Working knowledge of security and compliance policies is also significant.

Prerequisites: AWS recommends you have used at least one year deploying distributed systems, at scale, using AWS cloud services.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 130 minutes
• Fee: $150

In this exam, you will require to show that you not only know how to build and deploy shared systems in the AWS cloud to spec, but also that you understand how to use them at scale with error sensitivity and high availability. To gain the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional certification, you’ll also need to demonstrate an understanding of how to move multi-tier applications to the AWS cloud and develop enterprise-scale cloud solutions with AWS resources, all while managing your cloud use.

Prerequisites: You must be an AWS Certified Solutions Architect - associate certification to get this exam. AWS also thoroughly recommends longer than two years of experience deploying distributed systems, at scale, using AWS cloud services based on design specifications and best practices.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 170 minutes
• Fee: $300

This is the exam for developers attending to show their ability to develop applications belonging to the AWS cloud. In this exam, you’ll want to show that you understand the AWS SDK and how you can use it to communicate with and optimize AWS services you’ve built into an application. Passing the AWS Certified Developer - Associate exam also shows that you have a working understanding of code-level security, including credential creation and encryption strategies.

Prerequisites: AWS needs that you have at least a year of experience maintaining applications in the AWS cloud to take this exam. You should also understand the center services, principles, and best practices associated with services on the AWS platform, and have some experience building applications for tools like Amazon DynamoDB, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and AWS Cloud Formation.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 80 minutes
• Fee: $150

The DevOps Engineer certification is all about testing what you understand about managing shared applications in the AWS cloud, from provisioning the application to full operational management. As in any good DevOps exam, you can assume to encounter questions about continuous integration and continuous delivery methodologies and automation best practices, including best methods for automating security and compliance checks. You will also need to show a working knowledge of monitoring and logging practices as they pertain to the AWS platform. This is the professional cert for the Developer and Operations tracks.

Prerequisites: You must hold an AWS Certified Developer—associate or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator—associate cert to take this exam. You will want at least two years delivering applications in or managing AWS cloud deployments, and some experience with automation best practices, including scripting or another programming.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 170 minutes
• Fee: $300

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate exam is designed to certify your expertise to deploy, manage, and operating system support in the AWS cloud. You should have a solid understanding of what it takes to manage related systems for both mistake end and high availability. You should also be able to match resource deployment to conditions and account for operational needs, such as security and cost control.

Prerequisites: You will want at least a year of experience managing AWS-native applications. You will also want some experience gathering requirements and following AWS best practices for deployments and project life cycle management.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 80 minutes
• Fee: $150

This exam is all concerning that you understand how to use various AWS services to get the most of your data analysis. You will need to be able to show that you can use devices to automate data analysis.

Prerequisites: You must hold either an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner cert or any of the associate certifications. AWS also suggests five years of experience in data analytics, and functional knowledge of AWS Big Data, including how to ingest, store, process, and visualize data.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 170 minutes
• Fee: $300

If you’re into complex networking, particularly networking that spans scalable AWS systems, this exam is apparently for you. This exam will ask you to show that you can manage a network architecture for any service on the AWS platform and that you can automate your networking duties.

Prerequisites: You must hold either an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner cert or any of the associate certs. AWS also suggests five years of experience managing networks and a firm understanding of networking concepts and best methods as they relate to the AWS platform.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 170 minutes
• Fee: $300

This exam is all about seasoned methods for securing the AWS platform. Candidates for this certification should be seasoned IT security experts who can show an understanding of data security and encryption for AWS and the AWS tools to help you accomplish these ends. You should be able to obtain an AWS production environment.

Prerequisites: You necessity hold either an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner cert or any of the associate certifications. AWS also supports five years of experience in securing AWS environments.

• Format: Multiple choices, multiple answers
• Time: 170 minutes
• Fee: $300

As an AWS technical associate manager for New Relic, I often get asked in what order people should take these exams.

I have found the following order to be the most impact route for entry into the AWS certs and turbocharging a cloud career:

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
2. AWS Certified Developer - Associate
3. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate

The specialty certifications:

1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

AWS is in a stage of extraordinary growth, and its certifications are continuously growing to stay up with the changes and additions in the company’s services. The certification questions will suitable become and challenging over time, but that will help save them valuable and relevant.

Check out the AWS Certification site for more articles about the exams, including study tips and costs.

Best of luck in your AWS certification journey!