Top 10 Multi-Cloud Certifications to Supercharge Your Cloud Engineering Career in 2024

Why Multi-Cloud Certifications Matter in 2024

In 2024, the shift towards multi-cloud engineering platforms and environments is revolutionizing the industry. Organizations are no longer relying on a single cloud provider, but are leveraging multiple platforms to optimize costs, avoid vendor lock-in, and take advantage of best-of-breed services. As a result, cloud engineers need a broad set of skills across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other platforms to stay competitive. Multi-cloud certifications validate these essential skills.

What is Multi-Cloud Certification?

Multi-cloud certification demonstrates a cloud engineer’s ability to design, deploy, and manage applications that can be easily ported across multiple cloud platforms. These certifications focus on cloud-agnostic architecture, ensuring seamless operations across providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Client expects cloud engineers to design, deploy, and manage applications and infrastructure in a way that is cloud-agnostic and can be easily ported between providers. This requires a deep understanding of cloud architecture principles, as well as hands-on experience with multiple cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Traditional vendor-specific certifications, while still valuable, may not fully prepare professionals for the challenges of multi-cloud environments. This is where multi-cloud certifications come in. These cloud engineering certifications validate a professional’s ability to work effectively across multiple cloud platforms, leveraging the unique strengths of each while mitigating the complexities of integration and interoperability.

Examples of Emerging Multi-Cloud Certifications

Several leading organizations have recognized the need for multi-cloud skills and have introduced certifications to address this demand. For example:

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) offers the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK), which covers key topics like cloud architecture, governance, compliance, and security operations from a vendor-neutral perspective.

The Linux Foundation offers the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)  in deploying and managing applications developments on Kubernetes, the de facto standard for container orchestration across cloud platforms.

CompTIA, known for its , offers the CompTIA Cloud+ certification, which covers the skills needed to deploy and automate secure cloud environments using different platforms and technologies.

These are just a few examples of the growing number of multi-cloud certifications available. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more certifications emerge that focus on the unique challenges and opportunities of multi-cloud computing.

How does the CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-004 certification compare to AWS or Azure certifications?

The key difference is that CompTIA Cloud+ is a vendor-neutral certification while AWS and Azure certifications are specific to those cloud platforms.

 validates skills that can be applied across any cloud platform. It focuses on general cloud computing concepts, technologies, and best practices.

AWS Certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect are specific to Amazon’s cloud ecosystem. They test knowledge of AWS services and how to design solutions on the AWS platform.1

 like Azure Solutions Architect cover implementing and managing solutions using Microsoft’s cloud platform and technologies.

Top 10 Cloud Engineering Certifications in 2024

Here are the top 10 cloud certifications to boost your multi-cloud skills:

• 1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (AWS)
• 2. Google Professional Cloud Architect (Google Cloud)
• 3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (Microsoft Azure)
• 4. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (AWS)
• 5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• 6. CompTIA Cloud+ (Vendor-neutral)
• 7. Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer (Google Cloud)
• 8. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (Microsoft Azure)
• 9. AWS Certified Developer – Associate (AWS)
• 10. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Architect Associate (Oracle Cloud)

These certifications validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in designing, developing, and managing cloud solutions using leading platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud. They cover a wide range of topics including cloud architecture, security, DevOps, and platform-specific technologies.

How to Choose The Right Cloud Engineering Certification Program?

Look for key aspects as the target cloud platform, recommended experience level, exam format and duration of validity for each certification. This can help you evaluate which certifications best align with your current skills and career aspirations. Don’t worry, you’ll get a handy comparison table to help you choose the right certification path based on your skills, experience level, and career goals.

Here’s a comparison of the top 10 cloud certifications to help you choose the best path based on your platform, experience, and career goals:

What are the key differences between vendor-specific and vendor-neutral cloud certifications

The choice between vendor-specific and vendor-neutral certifications depends on your career goals, target industry, and desired level of specialization. Vendor-specific certs are ideal for mastering one cloud platform, while vendor-neutral certs provide versatile, transferable skills across multiple clouds.

How to Become a Multi-Cloud Expert Quickly?

At this point, you must be wondering – what are the fastest certifications to achieve multicloud expertise? By strategically pursuing certifications that validate core multi-cloud skills, leveraging overlapping concepts to accelerate your learning, and maximizing hands-on experience, you can efficiently build your multi-cloud expertise. 

Focus on certifications that validate core cloud skills applicable across platforms. Key areas to target include:

1. Cloud Architecture: Certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, and Google Professional Cloud Architect validate your ability to design resilient, scalable, and secure cloud solutions.
2. Cloud Security: Vendor-neutral certifications like the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) demonstrate your expertise in securing multi-cloud environments.
3. DevOps and Automation: Certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer, and Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer validate your skills in automating deployments and managing API framework and cloud infrastructure as code.
4. Containers and Kubernetes: With containerization being a key enabler of multi-cloud portability, certifications like Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) are highly valuable.

While each cloud platform has its unique services and terminologies, there is significant overlap in core concepts. 

By strategically sequencing your certifications, you can leverage this overlap to accelerate your learning:

1. Start with a foundational certification like AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals to grasp essential cloud concepts.
2. Progress to an associate-level architecture certification on your primary cloud platform, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate. The skills you gain here will be largely transferable to other platforms.
3. Pursue a parallel certification on your secondary cloud platform, capitalizing on the overlapping skills. For example, if you’ve mastered AWS architecture, you can quickly ramp up on Azure or Google Cloud.
4. Layer on advanced, vendor-neutral certifications in areas like security, DevOps, and containers to round out your multi-cloud skill set.

Maximizing Hands-On Experience

While certifications validate your knowledge, hands-on experience is crucial to cementing your skills. Maximize your practical experience by:

1. Leveraging free tier accounts and sandbox environments provided by cloud vendors to experiment with different services and architectures.
2. Participating in hands-on labs, workshops, and hackathons focused on multi-cloud scenarios.
3. Contributing to open-source projects that involve multi-cloud deployments, such as those leveraging infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform.
4. Seeking out projects or roles at work that expose you to multiple cloud platforms.

Top 3 Best & Fastest Multi-Cloud Certification Programs

The best certification programs to achieve multi-cloud engineering certification expertise in 2024 are:

CompTIA Cloud+

CompTIA Cloud+ is an excellent vendor-neutral starting point for multi-cloud skills. It covers core cloud computing concepts, technologies, and best practices that apply across all major cloud platforms.

Key benefits for multi-cloud expertise:

• Broad coverage of cloud architecture, deployment, security, troubleshooting
• Vendor-agnostic skills transferable to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
• No prerequisites, ideal for those newer to cloud

Exam Details:

• Exam Code: CV0-003
• 90 minutes, maximum of 90 questions
• Passing score: 750/900
• Cost: $358 USD

Earning the Cloud+ cert provides a solid foundation to then layer on vendor-specific certifications more quickly.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

The AZ-900 is a fast way to master core cloud concepts through the lens of Microsoft Azure. While Azure-specific, much of the knowledge applies to other platforms.

Key benefits for multi-cloud expertise:

• Covers essential cloud services, security, pricing, support
• No technical prerequisites or experience required
• Provides a stepping stone to more advanced Azure certs

Exam Details:

• Exam Code: AZ-900
• 60 minutes
• Passing score: 700/1000
• Cost: $99 USD

AZ-900 can be achieved quickly and lays the groundwork for pursuing other Azure certs as well as AWS/GCP equivalents.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01)

AWS Cloud Practitioner is Amazon’s entry-level cert focused on the fundamentals of AWS cloud. It’s a quick way to learn core AWS cloud concepts that translate to other platforms.

Key benefits for multi-cloud expertise:

• Foundational knowledge of AWS core services, security, pricing
• No technical prerequisites, 6 months general AWS experience recommended
• Prepares you for Associate-level AWS certs

Exam Details:

• Exam Code: CLF-C01
• 90 minutes, 65 questions
• Passing score: 700/1000
• Cost: $100 USD

The AWS CCP can be earned rapidly and provides a basis for more advanced multi-cloud studies.

By combining these entry-level vendor-neutral and vendor-specific certifications, you can build practical multi-cloud skills quickly. CompTIA Cloud+ builds a broad foundation, while AZ-900 and AWS CCP layer on specifics for the two most popular platforms.

From there, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue intermediate and specialty certs across AWS, Azure and GCP. With focused study, it’s possible to go from cloud novice to multi-cloud certified in 3-6 months by following this approach.

FAQs

Which cloud engineering certification is the best?

The best certification depends on your specific career goals, experience level, and the cloud platform you want to specialize in. If you’re focused on AWS, the Solutions Architect certifications are highly regarded. For Google Cloud, the Professional Cloud Architect is a top choice. And for Microsoft Azure, the Azure Solutions Architect Expert is highly valued.

How do I prepare for a cloud engineering certification exam?

To prepare, follow these steps:

Review the exam objectives and identify knowledge gaps

Take training courses offered by the cloud provider or third-party platforms

Gain hands-on experience through labs, projects, and real-world practice

Join study groups and discussions to learn from others

Take practice exams to gauge your readiness

Stay committed to a regular study schedule

Are cloud engineering certifications worth it?

Yes, cloud certifications are definitely worth the investment. They validate your skills, improve your credibility, and open up higher-paying job opportunities. Many organizations prefer or even require certified professionals for cloud roles. Certifications also show your commitment to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving field.

Conclusion: Why Multi-Cloud Certifications Are Worth It

Multi-cloud certifications are essential for cloud professionals aiming to thrive in today’s dynamic cloud environments. They validate your expertise across platforms and give you a competitive edge. By strategically pursuing certifications across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, you not only boost your career but also future-proof your skills for the evolving landscape of cloud technology.

Remember, earning a certification is just the beginning of a continuous learning journey. Stay curious, embrace new challenges, and keep your skills up-to-date to excel in the world of cloud engineering.

Cloud engineering certifications are essential for professionals aiming to excel in the dynamic world of cloud computing. The top certifications from providers like AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and others validate your expertise and help you stand out in a competitive job market as an engineer.

As you embark on your certification journey, carefully evaluate your goals, experience level, and target cloud platform to choose the right path. With dedication, hands-on practice, and a commitment to continuous learning, you can achieve these valuable certifications and unlock a rewarding career in cloud engineering.

Remember, earning a certification is not the end goal but the beginning of a lifelong learning journey. Stay curious, keep updating your skills, and strive for excellence in the transformative field of cloud computing.