Cloud Computing Engineers-Responsibilities-Cloud Certifications

Cloud computing engineers are the key players in the formation of cloud solutions that must to be plugged into an organization’s infrastructure. Cloud technologies are popping up everyday, most of the technology companies have already adopted cloud computing ecosystem and have migration towards it, therefore the demand of cloud engineers is also increasing. The professionals in cloud computing can help in tapping into the features provided by cloud platforms such as scalability, efficiency for improved collaboration and innovation.

In my previous articles on HR Managers, IT Network Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Business Analysts in IT industry, IT Delivery Managers, Project Managers, Test Managers, Program Managers, and IT Managers etc., you can review their roles and responsibilities and certifications needed for their respective domains to enhance your knowledge in the respective fields.

For this article, I will give a small detail of what a cloud engineer is to do and what certifications required that they may need to know the domain specific knowledge and be continuous with current trends and latest technologies.

Roles and Responsibilities of Cloud Computing Engineers

1. Cloud Architecture Design

Cloud computing engineers have to take into account the designing of cloud architectures with having at least the scalability, reliability, and security. The process of selection of cloud services, setting up network arrangements, and ensuring adaptability with the organizational framework are the components of the process concerning this.

2. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

By implementing IaC mechanisms through the use of providers like Terraform or AWS CloudFormation, cloud engineers can automatically design and manage infrastructures, maximizing consistency and efficiency.

3. Cloud Service Selection

Selecting and getting services on the cloud based on specific needs. At the same time, that means deciding which one from IaaS, PaaS or SaaS for service approaches.

4. Deployment and Configuration Management

Implementing Management of applications as well as services through cloud, also configuring them to perform at the optimum level. Which container getting orchestrated can be an example of utilizing tools such as Kubernetes for container orchestration.

5. Security Implementation

A business should put in place strong measures to protect all the cloud-based resources and assets. It includes developing access policies, encryption, and security monitoring for preventing any possible cyber threats.

6. Cost Optimization

Tracing and specifying cloud costs with cost-efficient approaches and choosing the suitable pricing model during application construction. The cloud architects try to derive the greatest benefit from the least possible spending.

7. Performance Monitoring and Optimization

Application of monitoring applications that provide complete visibility into the operation of cloud systems. Engineers detect obstacles, invent ways for resource allocation, and they nominate cloud resources to be efficiently used.

8. Disaster Recovery Planning

Creation and implementation of disaster recovery approaches above the mentioned type of situations to guarantee the continuity of your business process.

9. Collaboration with DevOps Teams

This allows for collaboration with DevOps teams to make cloud as part of the seamless implementation of CI/CD pipeline.

10. Adopting DevSecOps Practices

By ensuring secure practices in the lifecycle of plan and operations, and integrating preventative security measures all across the cloud environment.

11. Migration to the Cloud

Helping migrate and install the on-premises system in the cloud, allowing for an easy transition and less likely causing disruption to operations of the firm.

12. Vendor Management

Working with cloud service providers, keeping relationships fully managed, starting to perform comfortably with the new version and new features offered by cloud platforms.

13. Capacity Planning

Ensuring future resource needs are being monitored and scalability is planned in advance. Cloud engineers calibrate the system to design robust infrastructure that can accommodate increasing workloads.

14. Training and Documentation

Establishing training for teams on suitable cloud practices and generating cloud configuration documentation and procedures for cloud usage and management respectively.

15. Staying Current with Cloud Trends

In order to promote the continuous learning and bring into play the modern technologies and trends in cloud computing, and asses their potential influence on the strategy making processes of the organization.

The cloud computing engineer is the key to advise on the model transformation from the traditional local IT infrastructure to the mature, flexible, and secure cloud ecosystem. While they supplement the IT teams, their skills help in realizing the benefits of cloud technologies that make it possible for organizations to innovate, scale, and transform themselves during the current uncertainty.

Certifications in Cloud Engineering

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate certification, which only proves that the service holder has all the needed skills for designing distributed systems and application development on AWS.

2. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Provided by Microsoft, Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert expert-level certification which is among one under the category of Microsoft Certified: helps in Designing and implementing Azure cloud-based solutions.

3. Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect

Issued by Google Cloud, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect is for those who develop and run scalable, reliable, secure, Google Cloud environments.

4. CompTIA Cloud+

Offered by CompTIA, Cloud+ will be one of the cloud certifications that features cloud concepts, virtualization, and application practices.

5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Issued by (ISC)², CCSP certifies expertise in cloud security, covering topics such as data security, identity management, and compliance.

6. Professional Cloud Administrator

Provided by the Cloud Credential Council (CCC), Professional Cloud Administrator is an admin level certification covering cloud technologies, architecture, and adoption for the 2-5 years of cloud administrators.

7. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Cloud

Offered by Cisco, CCNA Cloud validates skills in cloud infrastructure, cloud technologies, and network fundamentals.

8. VMware-Cloud Management and Automation 2023 (VCP-CMA)

Issued by VMware, VMware Certified Professional – Cloud Management and Automation 2023 (VCP-CMA) certification exam validates ability to install, configure, administer, and operate VMware Aria Automation to support the self-service and automated provisioning of services into Private, Public and Multi-Cloud environments.

9. IBM Cloud Advanced Architect

Provided by IBM, IBM Cloud Advanced Architect certification validates skills in designing, planning, and architecting cloud solutions.

10. Red Hat Certified Specialist in Cloud Infrastructure

Issued by Red Hat, Red Hat Certified Specialist in Cloud Infrastructure certification is for professionals who design and manage Red Hat solutions in a cloud environment.

11. Certified OpenStack Administrator (COA)

Offered by the OpenStack Foundation, COA certifies skills in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting OpenStack clouds.

12. Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA)

Provided by Salesforce, CTA is the pinnacle of Salesforce certifications, validating expertise in designing complex, scalable, and secure solutions on the Salesforce platform.

13. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2023 Certified Architect Associate

Issued by Oracle, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2023 Certified Architect Associate (OCI2023CAA) certification is for professionals who design and implement OCI solutions.

14. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

Provided by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), CKA certifies proficiency in Kubernetes administration.

15. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer-Professional

Issued by AWS, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer-Professional certification aims to formalize individuals’ knowledge and proficiency in DevOps best practices in the AWS environment.

Certification providers respectively present the units consisting of subjects for different function areas of clouds such as cloud architecture, cloud security, cloud operations, and platform-specific skills. With businesses now migrating to the cloud at a swift pace, experts proficient in these certification accolades will face no scarcity of jobs as they will be able to handle the dynamic blossoming of IT environment.

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