DevOps Engineers essentially aim at making the software development cycle easier and shorter by introducing tools, methodologies and processes. This is done for all the steps in the developmental cycle from coding and development to maintenance and updates. The developing engineer is solely responsible for the software developed and how it will help the company or system it has been developed for. He/she is responsible for the bug fixes, production and end-user delivery of the software. In the IT industry, DevOps foundation certification has become increasingly popular among businesses and employers take a keen interest in knowing the kind of qualification the candidate has and how it would be beneficial for them.
Popular types of DevOps Certifications in 2021
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer- AWS certification is the most popular among candidates. This certification is aimed at candidates who have two or more years of experience in providing for, operating and managing different AWS environments. This programming and development certification certifies you to design, develop, manage systems on the AWS platform. The AWS certification is considered highly sought after, hence the career prospects after it are great for candidates. Employers are willing to offer handsome salaries to candidates that are skilled and bring something valuable to the organisation. The exam for AWS certification is 180 minutes long and can have objective and subjective type questions. It can be a tough exam to attempt. The candidates need to be fully aware of the pattern and types of questions to expect. They must be familiar with the technology and expect scenario-based questions. Candidates should also have good knowledge of topics like SDLC Automation, configuration management and infrastructure as code, monitoring and logging, policies and standard automation etc.
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator- Managed and maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, Kubernetes is an open-source system for operating, deploying and scaling automated computer applications. It can help manage multi-container applications at a scale. CKA helps you learn how to manage, operate, install, configure, validate and clear core concepts to help you get DevOps ready. The exam for CKA is online and is three hours long. It is an application and problem-solving exam which covers topics like application lifecycle management, configuration, installation and validation, networking etc. Having this certification can open great career opportunities for you.
- Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert- This course aims at providing hands-on experience with DevOps technologies and providing knowledge about Agile processes. The professionals certified with this certification aim at providing valuable products and services that satisfy the end user’s needs and business objectives. It is best suited and beneficial for individuals who have previous knowledge of Agile or Azure operations. It will help these individuals elevate their skillset and become valuable to their respective companies or firms. The exam syllabus covers topics like designing and logging, integrating logging and monitoring solutions, designing failure prediction strategy, security and compliance etc.
- Google Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer- Professionals are responsible for developing efficient operations that result in reliable services and fast delivery. Through this certification, candidates are equipped in building software, deploying and monitoring services and managing failures on the Cloud Platform. Candidates are required to have a minimum of three years of experience to be eligible to pursue this certification.
- Hashicorp Certified Terraform Associate DevOps Certification– Terraform is an effective DevOps tool for writing Infrastructure as Code used to manage and deploy cloud infrastructure across multiple cloud platforms repeatedly. It is ideal for candidates who use Hashicorp Terraform in their jobs, operations, development or IT companies. Anyone who has basic knowledge of the cloud infrastructure and its working can apply for this certification and enhance their skill set. The syllabus covered under this certification includes topics like Infrastructure as Code, terraform basics and concepts, modules, navigation and workflow, generating and modifying configuration etc.
These above-mentioned certifications are just a few of the vast variety of options developed. The certifications can vary depending on the certification fee and the length of the course. These are a few that are highly rated and popular among IT professionals.
The need for DevOps Engineers has been increasing in the market. Having this certification in 2021 increases the chances of the individual landing a good job and making themselves valuable to the organisation. The certification helps the engineers gain knowledge that in turn helps them speed up the production and be efficient with minimum risks. DevOps certification ensures:
- Continuous delivery of operations
- Minimising problems or risks and having a strategy in place for adverse situations
- Quick solutions for troubleshooting or problems
- Faster delivery of features or products in the company or organization
- Stable operating environments
- The main motive of the certification is to align the developing and operations team for smoother functioning and communication
Preparing for any of the DevOps certification exams is something that requires a full focus of the candidate. This skill set can be highly beneficial for your professional career and hence it is important that you prepare for it with utmost diligence. To prepare for any of the certifications make sure that:
- You know the eligibility criteria for the particular certification and exam.
- You are familiar with the pattern of the exam and the kind of questions to expect in the exam
- Have prior knowledge of the kind of certification you are applying for and the software and tools it requires you to know about
- Have enough practice of the tools and also the questions for the exam
- Practice enough sample tests online
- Refer to resources and material for preparation online
- Go through the FAQs and information from the official website of the particular certification
The DevOps certification can be a difficult one to gain but all the benefits after it are worth it. It helps you stay relevant and at the top in a highly competitive field and adds value to your CV that is unmatchable. More than tough it is a highly demanding and rigorous certification that in most ways also prepares you for the industry dynamics and working. It boosts your value in the organization or prepares you for better job opportunities.