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.
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.
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.
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.
Here are the top 10 cloud certifications to boost your multi-cloud skills:
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.
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:
|
Certification |
Cloud Platform |
Experience Required |
Exam Format |
Validity |
|
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional |
Amazon Web Services |
2+ years |
Multiple choice |
3 years |
|
Google Professional Cloud Architect |
Google Cloud |
3+ years |
Multiple choice |
2 years |
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert |
Microsoft Azure |
Expert-level skills |
Multiple choice, case studies |
2 years |
|
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional |
Amazon Web Services |
2+ years |
Multiple choice |
3 years |
|
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) |
Vendor-neutral |
5+ years |
Multiple choice |
3 years |
|
CompTIA Cloud+ |
Vendor-neutral |
2-3 years |
Multiple choice, performance-based |
3 years |
|
Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer |
Google Cloud |
3+ years |
Multiple choice |
2 years |
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate |
Microsoft Azure |
6+ months |
Multiple choice, case studies |
1 year |
|
AWS Certified Developer – Associate |
Amazon Web Services |
1+ year |
Multiple choice |
3 years |
|
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Architect Associate |
Oracle Cloud |
6-12 months |
Multiple choice |
1 year |
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.
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:
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:
While certifications validate your knowledge, hands-on experience is crucial to cementing your skills. Maximize your practical experience by:
The best certification programs to achieve multi-cloud engineering certification expertise in 2024 are:
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.
Earning the Cloud+ cert provides a solid foundation to then layer on vendor-specific certifications more quickly.
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.
AZ-900 can be achieved quickly and lays the groundwork for pursuing other Azure certs as well as AWS/GCP equivalents.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
