A dive into AWS core certifications: The 6 types of AWS certifications and everything you need to know about them are explained!

Today, numerous corporate associations globally are embracing cloud computing technology. The significant advantages that cloud computing offer to current businesses have increased flexibility, network access over the Internet, scalability, improved security, ease of integration, and cost savings. Amazon Web Services, generally known as AWS, is a top provider of cloud-based services worldwide. While several other prominent companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM are also involved in cloud computing, Amazon dominates the cloud infrastructure market worldwide. Certification is an excellent way to display your skills to probable employers.

AWS proposes several credentials for those pursuing a career in the cloud computing area. Being AWS certified implies that you have an industry-centric understanding that the global authorities have validated in cloud computing streams. In general, AWS credentials connect to certification programs offered by Amazon Web Services that allow you to validate your cloud specialization expertise after clearing thorough exams. There are diverse modules for AWS certificates, and you can select the appropriate module based on your likes and needs. In addition, AWS certification is the most sought and best aspect by nearly every IT giant such as Uber, Amazon, IBM, etc., while looking for a cloud specialist. Here are some other unique advantages of AWS certification:

• This allows the intro of cloud experts worldwide through digital certificates, badges, and more.
• AWS-certified individuals can get practical professional opportunities with more reasonable salaries than others.
• You even have the option to join with other qualified people via the AWS Certified Community.
• Several different rewarding programs are open, such as the AWS Partner Network (APN) and the Subject Matter Expert (SME) program.

Once you earn an AWS credential, you’ll discover that you have some of the multiple demanding and promising skills attested by one of the most influential commodities in cloud computing. For corporations, accreditation indicates a shared acquaintance of the platform, standard terminology, and a particular level of cloud expertise that can decrease the value realization of cloud projects. AWS Certification is essential even if your organization is embracing a multi-cloud approach; this does not undermine the significance of AWS credentials.

Surveys of business IT specialists define another way of learning the cloud market. The Flexera (formerly RightScale) State of the Cloud reports delivers the longest-term knowledge source. Flexera’s 2020 results reflect the market rankings; with over 1 million clients, AWS stays the most acceptable provider for public cloud adoption. Consistent unexplored service flows, ongoing financial solid performance, and continued geographic expansion reveal that there is much more to be accomplished.

What kind of experience do you need?

Since each individual comes from a distinct starting point, the answers to the overhead questions will rely on your existing skills and knowledge and your professional goals. Beginning in 2019, AWS has released the prerequisites from all AWS credentials, so you can obtain your AWS diploma at any time, eradicating the necessity to get another certificate first. The AWS-certified education path has a configuration. It is wise to follow that format to maximize your odds of success on the exam and, most significantly, guarantee that you have the right skills to function on.

Candidate Certification

AWS credential itself stands out for its severity and thoroughness in evaluating candidates’ talents, focusing on hands-on experience and the soundest techniques. Certification training can enhance your understanding by elucidating critical concepts if you’re already using AWS. If you are fresh to AWS, you can deliver the essential experience and skills you require to use AWS assistance and solutions in the future. AWS certifications testify to a candidate’s expertise and understanding of cloud management, architecture, and security, the most promising practices for organizations searching for new hires.

For employer

The core training materials employed to train for AWS certification are a helpful element of the company’s in-house training course. As the IT domain evolves to become more customized and the conditions for new skills advance, more and more businesses are creating their certification programs. Numerous of them use vendor-certified training courses with in-house materials to establish certification tracks precise to their business requirements.

How do I get an AWS certification?

There are no primary steps to get an AWS certification, but the following are the most effortless.

• Inspect the available study or exam directions.
• Register in an AWS training course as explained in this article. They will boost their understanding of cloud computing and AWS.
• Read numerous AWS white papers as these hold valuable data that may answer your multiple queries.
• Schedule the exam when you feel like you are ready for it. It usually takes 80 to 120 hours of exercise/study to prep for the exam based on experience and the credentials you are seeking.
• Practice makes a man perfect. Practice exams can assist lessen pressure and anxiety about certification exams.

Taking a closer look at each exam:

Presently, AWS proposes six core certifications and five specialty certifications. These AWS credentials are grouped into four vital paths based on your career: fundamentals, architects, operations, and developers. Here’s a checklist of the five most demanding AWS certificates in the world of IT that can equip you with a rewarding career.

Foundational Level

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The Certified AWS Cloud Practitioner certificate is an optional foundational level degree that qualifies users for more elevated associate and professional credentials. This certification exam is organized to test performance core understanding of AWS cloud at a comprehensive level.

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is AWS’s latest certification. This entry-level certification has been prepared to testify to a candidate’s broad knowledge of the AWS cloud.

• Prerequisites: A minimum of six months of general AWS cloud background in any position (managerial, technical, sales, etc.) is suggested.
• Format: Multiple choice questions
• Cost: 100 USD
• Length: 90 minutes

The AWS certified cloud practitioner will provide you the proficiency of:

• Basic AWS architecture and foundations
• Core AWS services
• Cloud computing basis
• Fundamentals of AWS security and compliance procedures

Associate Level

Associate-level certifications are a significant step up from the foundational level. These certificates cover a vast spectrum of AWS at a mid-level depth, demanding the student know many AWS services and procedures at a mid to high level of specialized skill.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate

After achieving this certification, you should comprehend core AWS services and the fundamental architecture of the most valuable practices. You should also be capable of:

• Execute the proper architecture for growth and testing environments
• Plan, design, and deploy AWS cloud-based solutions.
• Recognize techniques required to code a cloud solution
• Perform with a variety of Amazon tools and services linked with messaging, databases, workflows, and notifications
• Document code for performance optimization of the AWS services operated by an application.
• Choose the correct AWS services for a stated application based on your needs.

The AWS Certified Developer, the Associate exam is regarding creating and sustaining AWS-based applications. You will need to write actual code that utilizes AWS software to access AWS applications inside your custom business applications.

• Format: Multiple-choice
• Cost: 150 USD
• Time: 80 minutes

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

Upon achieving this certificate, you should be able to:

• Execute and manage AWS data flow
• Correctly choose the AWS service that is most suitable for data, security, or computing needs
• Deploy, operate and manage scalable, positively available, and fault-tolerant AWS systems
• Relocate on-premises systems to AWS
• Evaluate AWS usage costs and determine cost controls

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, the Associate exam, is the sole certification geared toward system managers. Clearing this exam demands both technical expertise and abstract learning of the functional elements of the AWS platform. Prior experience as a Linux or Windows administrator will be beneficial. Before becoming a candidate for this certificate is needed.

• Format: Multiple-choice
• Cost: 150 USD
• Time: 80 minutes

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The associate level of the AWS Solutions Architect credential will equip you to:

• Pick the most suitable AWS service based on security and information necessities and database design
• Develop architectural most promising practices for AWS
• Determine cost control efforts and evaluate AWS costs
• Configuration data flow to and from AWS
• Create and deploy positively available, secured, scalable, and fault-tolerant AWS systems
• Be articulate in the creation and application of data security
• Control the lift and shift of an on-premises architecture to an AWS cloud-based architecture

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam is created for those with some background in developing distributed applications. Candidates will need to exhibit their capability to plan, organize, and execute applications using tools and services on the AWS platform. This exam was revised in February 2018 to possess more AWS services and best practices.

• Format: Multiple-choice
• Cost: 150 USD
• Time: 130 minutes (based on the new exam)

Professional Level

AWS professional level certifications indicate that the holder is proficient in both ability and skill. These certificates are sought at two distinct roles, Solutions Architects and DevOps Engineers. These credential exams are incredibly demanding but can open high-level career paths for holders. While not technically a requirement, taking an associate exam is a sound idea before taking a professional-level certification.

AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional

Achieving this certification level should give you a commanding understanding of AWS authentication, permission, and accounting. With this certificate, you will learn:

• The complications of subnets and routing
• Mastery with state-of-the-art networking using BGP, IPSec, Jumbo Frames, and Direct Connect
• Fluency in the management of progressive roles and group leadership
• Growth and advanced deployment strategies
• To assess cloud risk, adherence, and management
• Refined use of cloud formation
• Miscellaneous tools provided by Amazon for supervision, maintenance, and deployment

The DevOps Engineer certification is about managing, provisioning, and controlling applications on the AWS platform. This exam concentrates heavily on continuous delivery (CD) and the automation of operations, two basic concepts of DevOps training.

• Prerequisites: AWS Certified Developer – Associate or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate. Background in provisioning and controlling AWS-based applications and powerful insight into modern application development, such as agile development methodology.
• Time: 170 minutes
• Format: Multiple-choice
• Cost: 300 USD

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

The Professional Solutions Architect certification is the most elevated AWS credential. You should be capable of fulfilling all of the responsibilities of the forenamed certificates and the ones listed below.

• Determine costs and execute comprehensive cost control strategies
• Develop and execute the various networking components of AWS
• Master the creation and performance of AWS connectivity
• Create and deploy enterprise-level scalable AWS operations
• Be capable of developing and taking out a process to migrate complex multi-tier applications to AWS.
• Pick the right AWS best approaches to devise and deploy applications based on the provided prerequisites.
• Create and deploy dynamically trustworthy, scalable, fault-tolerant, positively available, and protected AWS applications

A professional AWS architect is somebody who can assess an organization’s conditions and make architectural suggestions for executing and deploying applications on AWS. The Certified Solutions Architect Professional certification needs a high technical skill and background in developing AWS-based applications.

• Prerequisites: Status as AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.
• Time: 170 minutes
• Two years of hands-on experience developing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS and most helpful practice understanding of multi-application architectural design is suggested.
• Format: Multiple-choice
• Cost: 300 USD

AWS certification is an industry-recognized credential. It testifies to the level of professionalism in the Amazon Web Services cloud. It allows learners to create trust and permits organizations to recognize skilled experts who use AWS to direct cloud initiatives. Experts get an AWS certificate after clearing one or more exams proposed by AWS. This certification is valid for three years, and to preserve your AWS certification status, AWS demands you regularly communicate your continued expertise via a recertification process.

It’s helpful to consider certifications as a foothold when thinking about AWS career paths. It may assist you in reaching the successive level, but the actual reach is always up to you. Whether you select earning an AWS credential has never been more manageable. Amazon presently offers all certification exams online. This implies you can test at your office, home, or anywhere with only a few notifications. There is no commuting issue as you are not required to go to the test center.