This document provides an overview of popular cloud computing certifications from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and vendor-neutral certifications. It describes the purpose and requirements for certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate, MCSA: Cloud Platform, GCP Cloud Architect, and CompTIA Cloud+. The document also notes that certifications focus on roles like cloud architect, software engineer, and DevOps engineer, and that newer certifications address specific cloud aspects such as security and analytics.

1. Cloud Certifications:
A Quick Overview
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2. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
Certifies general knowledge on architecting/designing distributed
solutions based upon AWS services.
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3. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
Depends on AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate.
Certifies advanced knowledge architecting/designing distributed
solutions using AWS services.
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4. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS Certified Developer- Associate
For developers who use AWS services. Certifies use of AWS APIs and
SDKs.
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5. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate
Certifies general knowledge operating and maintaining AWS-based
solutions.
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6. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
Certifies advanced knowledge on building and maintaining AWS-based
solutions.
Depends on either AWS Certified Developer - Associate or AWS
Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate
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7. Azure
● Certifications follow the traditional MCSA, MCSE, MCSD tracks
● MCSD: Azure Solutions Architect is not available anymore as of
31 March 2017.
● Exams are frequently updated to reflect new features in Azure.
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8. Azure
MCSA: Cloud Platform
Must pass two of the following exams:
● Exam 70-532 - Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
● Exam 70-533 - Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
● Exam 70-534 - Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
● Exam 70-473 - Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform
Solutions
● Exam 70-475 - Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics
Solutions
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9. Azure
MCSA: Linux on Azure
Must pass the following two exams:
● Exam 70-533 - Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
● Exam LFCS - Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator
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10. Azure
MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure
Must have an MCSA certification and pass one of the exams mentioned for
cloud MCSAs, or one of the following:
● Exam 70-744 - Securing Windows Server 2016
● Exam 70-413 and 70-414 - Server Infrastructure
● Exam 70-246 - Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud
● Exam 70-247 - Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud
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11. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
GCP Cloud Architect
General certification for cloud architects using GCP infrastructure and
services.
Certifies that a professional can build a full solution on GCP, meeting
business and technical customer needs.
Must pass a single exam.
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12. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
GCP Data Engineer
Certifies that a professional can build and maintain data pipelines using
GCP infrastructure and services.
Must pass a single exam.
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13. Vendor-neutral
● CompTIA: Cloud Essentials
○ For non-technical staff
● CompTIA: Cloud+
○ For technical staff
○ General cloud concepts
● ISC²: Certified Cloud Security Professional
○ General cloud security concepts, operations and compliance.
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14. Other
Other certifications are provided by:
● Dell/EMC (Vendor-specific and Vendor-neutral)
● Cisco (Vendor-Specific)
● Cloud School (Vendor-neutral)
● Oracle (Vendor-specific)
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15. Conclusion
● Certifications have some roles in mind, e.g.:
○ Cloud Architect (designs solutions)
○ Software Engineer (implements solutions, uses APIs and SDKs)
○ DevOps Engineer (operates and maintains solutions)
● Certifications are mostly vendor-specific but there are a few neutral
certifications that focus on common aspects of all architectures.
● Some newer certifications focus on specific aspects of the cloud, such
as security, analytics, compliance, etc.
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16. References
● Forbes.com: Top Paying IT Certifications (2016)
○ Quote: Top paying certification is AWS-CSA - Associate
○ Quote: “Each of the five Amazon Web Services (AWS)
certifications brings in an average salary of more than
$100,000.”
● Tom’s IT Pro: Best Cloud Computing Certifications for 2017
○ Quote: There are more jobs for AWS-CSA - Professional
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17. References
● IT Certification Master: List of Cloud Certifications
○ List may be outdated
● CCI: Top 5 Cloud Computing Certifications for 2017
○ Quote: top certification is ISC² CCSP
○ Bases Ranking on Jobs data from ITJobsWatch
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