In this digital era, several cloud providers offer professional certifications. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is quite famous for many reasons, allowing IT professionals to excel in different aspects of cloud computing. Whether aspiring to be a systems administrator, solutions architect, or cloud practitioner, you can opt for one of the AWS certifications to kickstart or advance your career. To help you better understand different AWS training exams, here we have compiled details of some of the best certifications you can earn based on your experience and domain, along with its benefits.


Best AWS Certifications


Here are the most valuable AWS certifications to earn to build a better career in the cloud:

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

If you are just starting your career, consider clearing this foundational exam, which will allow you to learn the core principles of the AWS cloud platform. This certification is geared towards educating candidates about this technology's essential use cases, features, and services. It will also cover areas like the security and compliance of AWS and how its pricing, billing, and support work. After completing this AWS training, you can deploy services and resources in the AWS cloud.

To clear this exam, it is recommended that you have over 6 months of experience in AWS in any capacity, including non-technical and technical roles. The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification is the most appropriate for IT professionals looking to develop a general knowledge and expertise of the AWS platform.

AWS Certified Developer—associate

This AWS certification is geared toward developers who want to enhance their capabilities in developing native applications for the AWS cloud. After completing training, you will be able to understand the AWS SDK and its applicability in utilizing and optimizing AWS services that you have created within an application. Becoming an AWS Certified Developer shows you have a functional understanding of encryption, credential creation, and other code-level security strategies.

Amazon requires IT professionals to have at least one year of experience in the AWS cloud environment related to maintaining applications to take the exam for this certification. You must have knowledge about AWS core services, best practices, principles, and experience in building applications for various Amazon tools, such as AWS CloudFormation, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Amazon DynamoDB, and more.

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer

This certification is for IT professionals engaged in the development and operational tracks. It is designed to impart knowledge about managing, operating, and provisioning distributed application systems hosted on the AWS platform. Becoming an AWS Certified DevOps engineer enables you to deploy and manage continuous AWS systems delivery, monitor log files and metrics, and implement best practices for optimum AWS security. In addition, you will be able to design, maintain, and manage different tools that help automate operation processes.

You must earn an AWS-certified Developer associate certification to complete AWS DevOps training. In addition, you must have about two years of experience managing AWS cloud deployments and implementing best practices for process automation, including coding, scripting, and other forms of programming.

AWS Certified SysOps Associate

The AWS SysOps certification makes you proficient in implementing, operating, and maintaining different fault-tolerant systems on the AWS platform. With this training, you can analyze other CloudWatch metrics and as a scalable architecture for fault-tolerant systems using ELB, Route 53, and AS. In addition, you will acquire technical knowledge about AWS and data flow, AWS management console, CloudFormation features, tagging in the analysis, operational cost controls, and many others. If you have experience of one year or more in native AWS cloud applications, then this certification is the best choice for you.

To earn an AWS SysOps certification, you must have experience operating, provisioning, and operating AWS systems. Candidates must be capable of providing guidance about AWS operations and deployment, along with best practices for the entire project duration. Amazon requires candidates to demonstrate a solution that they have built on AWS.

Why Pursue an AWS Certification?

If you are a professional looking to build a career in the cloud domain but are confused about which vendor would best benefit your career, here is all you should know:
  • The cloud industry is filled with renowned, competitive vendors like IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. You'd be surprised to know that AWS holds more than 57% of the market share in the cloud domain, making it the most mature and dominant leader of the cloud infrastructure marketplace. Also, AWS has become 10 times more significant than its significant competitors combined.
  • AWS is the choice of some of the most renowned global brands, such as Comcast, Dow Jones, Yelp, Airbnb, BMW, Adobe, Pfizer, Time Inc., and many others, giving it an edge over other cloud vendors.
  • An AWS certification makes your resume stand out from the long list of applicants, increasing your chances of being shortlisted for the interviewing process.
  • Surveys have shown that IT professionals with AWS training get a 26 percent salary increment. Forbes has published that AWS certifications are the most valuable IT certifications, leading professionals to score high salaries.

Amazon is dedicating tremendous resources to AWS to expand its cloud industry market share. Due to the increasing number of companies integrating AWS into their IT infrastructure, AWS certifications have become highly sought after across the globe. If you want to boost your career in the cloud, consider earning one of the AWS certifications based on your prior experience and education. It is recommended that before appearing for any AWS training exam, you complete relevant courses online to ensure that you are well-prepared to clear it with flying colors.