As they kick off the new year, enterprises will have OpenStack, security and other cloud technologies on their minds. Be ready, and advance your career, with new cloud certifications.
The cloud computing market is growing fast and shows no signs of slowing down. In 2018, spending on public cloud.
services will account for more than half of worldwide software, server and storage spending growth, according to market research firm IDC. And along with that increase will come higher demand for certified cloud professionals.
In fact, the Cloud Credential Council, an international and vendor-neutral provider of cloud computing certifications, estimates that 1.7 million jobs worldwide are now unfilled because candidates lack the proper cloud certifications. Demand remains high for basic cloud computing skills, while new certifications, such as those for OpenStack, continue to emerge.
Certification generally includes two components: training classes and a test. Trade organizations often develop the tests and then work with third parties to deliver the courseware and administer them. While IT pros are not required to take training classes, they often do, since the training companies typically bundle the class along with the test. The courseware is delivered in various formats, such as live classes and online videos.
Whether you're a cloud expert hoping to advance your career or an IT pro just getting started with cloud, here are some certifications to consider in 2016.
Options for starting the cloud certification process
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is really a nonprofit trade association that plays a substantial role within the IT certification process. The organization has approximately 3,000 academic and training partners and it has issued greater than two million IT certifications.
So, it's not surprising that the CompTIA Cloud+ certification is still in demand. This credential covers competency in cloud computing infrastructure, resource management, security and business continuity. The test includes 100 multiple choice questions, takes about 90 minutes to perform and costs $277.
Open source cloud management means knowing your tools
Since many organizations are Microsoft Windows shops, cloud skills linked to Windows are widely used. Microsoft provides a number of cloud computing certifications, for example the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert for Private Cloud, which builds on IT pros' information about Windows Server and System Center 2012 to assist them to build an individual cloud. The process entails a complete of five exams: three to earn a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate Windows Server 2012 certification, plus two more for operating and deploying a personal cloud with System Center 2012.
Cloud computing certifications for security, management also hot
More than in the past, data security can be a major concern to the enterprise. One vendor-neutral certification selection for cloud security may be the Certified Specialist in Cloud Security from Learning Tree International, a provider of IT training to business and government organizations. The certification, which provides coverage for security suggestions for both private and public clouds, contains two courses: Cloud Computing Technologies Introduction and Essentials of Cloud Security Management. IT pros learn skills including tips on how to assess patching and configuration vulnerabilities in cloud servers; use data encryption methods; and hang up up user authentication.
For cloud management, the Cloud Credential Council's Professional Cloud Service Manager concentrates on maintaining quality degrees of service in cloud deployments. The certification reviews industry standards for areas for example outsourcing, service management and security compliance, in conjunction with concepts including service metrics, metering, reporting, provisioning and billing.
Learning the OpenStack way
OpenStack, a receptive source cloud computing platform, is additionally gaining interest among cloud users. Currently, most OpenStack certification programs are vendor-specific. Rackspace's Certified Technician for OpenStack-Icehouse, one example is, costs $200 and focuses on how you can use a command-line interface to control an OpenStack cloud. IT pros learn how you can create OpenStack instances from images; pause to resize instances; manage security groups; as well as other skills.
Mirantis has an Associate OpenStack Administrator certification, directed at IT pros who have to understand basic principles of OpenStack architecture and troubleshoot common OpenStack issues. Additionally, there is the Professional OpenStack Administrator certification, intended for IT pros who ought to create, configure and manage OpenStack networks, instances, security along with aspects of system.
Cloud has grown more popular and driving need for certified professionals in 2016 and beyond. Fortunately, IT pros possess a myriad of alternatives for gaining skills, in addition to the cloud computing certifications.
