Currently, many IT professionals are opting for AWS training to upskill themselves and meet various job requirements. Learning AWS opens up an array of lucrative employment opportunities for professionals, which is why the AWS certifications are high in demand. However, it is necessary to choose the suitable courses and the right institutes, apart from being aware of everything you need to know about AWS certifications.
What is AWS?
A subsidiary of Amazon, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is currently the leading cloud service provider globally. Many companies from various sectors use AWS as their cloud platform because of the scalability, security, and large number of services that it comes with. Companies that use AWS range from small businesses to major Fortune 500 companies. This has essentially created a high demand for IT professionals who are experts in using the various tools and technologies that AWS offers.
The various levels of AWS certifications
You would have to choose your AWS certification pathways based on the job roles that you are aiming for. AWS has launched twelve certifications in total across four levels. Professionals would have to progress through these levels by obtaining the AWS training and certification specific to their target job roles.
Foundational level
This is essentially the first step that one would have to take to progress through the AWS certifications. It comes with only one certification- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. The recommended prerequisites for this certification include a basic understanding of the use of IT services in AWS Cloud and an experience of six months in AWS Cloud. The exam covers the following topics:
- Basic infrastructure
- Key services
- Deployment and operation
- Billing and account management
- Security and compliance
Obtaining this certification would make you eligible for more specialized AWS certifications.
Associate level
AWS offers three associate-level certifications focused on applying solutions and solving problems with AWS cloud.
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is suitable for a professional aiming to be an AWS cloud architect. It covers:
- Using best practices to guide a project
- Designing customized systems and applications
- Using AWS to build and deploy applications
Professionals planning to use AWS to develop software should opt for the AWS Certified Developer – Associate certification. This would help you gain the following skills:
- Using AWS to develop, debug, and deploy cloud-based applications
- An understanding of the best practices and the uses of the AWS services that basic AWS architecture requires.
If you plan to be a systems administrator, the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification would be perfect for you. This AWS associate certification covers:
- Migrating on-premises systems to AWS
- Deploying and managing systems with AWS would continue to work despite failure and would be scalable.
- Choosing AWS services based on the security and internal data requirements of a company.
Professional level
Once you have obtained an associate-level certification in AWS, it would make you eligible for the professional-level certifications in the same pathway. There are two professional-level certifications that you may choose from.
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification is suitable for professionals planning to venture into the domain of security and compliance. This AWS certification training would help you develop the following skills:
- Creating and overseeing tools for various operations
- Defining and setting up logging and monitoring systems on AWS
If you have been performing the AWS solutions architect role for two to three years, you may opt for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional. The course would cover:
- Migrating complex applications to AWS
- Setting up strategies to lower the cloud computing costs
- Designing and deploying enterprise-wide AWS applications
Speciality level
The highest tier of AWS certifications is the speciality level. It comes with six certifications that validate the candidates’ skills as a specialist in a particular role. These are:
- AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty: For professionals specializing in building, maintaining, and securing data analytics tools in AWS.
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty: If you wish to specialize in securing applications, architectures, and services on AWS, this certification would be suitable.
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty: For professionals involved in advanced networking tasks in AWS.
- AWS Certified Database – Specialty: Validates the skills necessary for recommending, designing, and maintaining AWS databases.
- AWS Certified Database – Specialty: Suitable for professionals using AWS for data science or development roles.
- AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty: For professionals specializing in building commands and skills for Amazon Alexa.
Leading institutions like Koenig Solutions offer various AWS cloud certification courses. Undergoing professional training would help you prepare for the certification exams.
Also Read:- Top 11 AWS Certifications List & Exam Learning Path In 2021
