Course Focus: Microsoft Cloud Support Associate Professional Certificate on CourseraOur Rating: Best for transitioning from beginner to career ready This certification teaches skills from the very basics of computer knowledge to valuable professional techniques in Microsoft Azure, one of the most popular cloud platforms. This certification includes 12 courses to introduce students to IT and cyber security, Microsoft 365, cloud management and professional cloud management. Courses included are:
|
Cloud computing certifications can expand your skills and teach you how to navigate major cloud providers like Google Cloud or AWS. Specializations in certain cloud providers can serve as solid foundations for specialized careers, while nearly all businesses use some form of cloud services.
Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by Coursera.
Comparison of the best cloud certifications
| Certificate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Cloud Support Professional Certificate (Coursera) | |||
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (AWS) | |||
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (AWS) | |||
| Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (Microsoft Azure) | |||
| CompTIA Cloud+ (CompTIA) | |||
| ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (ISC2) |
Microsoft Cloud Support Professional Certification: Best for transitioning from beginner to career ready
This series of courses is taught by Microsoft employees and results in a career credential that demonstrates your expertise. These courses teach how to perform cloud support in Microsoft Azure solutions and services and how to adapt technology diagnosis skills specifically to IT and cloud issues. Learn how to handle data backup and mobile device management in relation to Microsoft cloud solutions and services.
Prices
This certification is available with a Coursera subscription that costs $49 per month after a 7-day free trial.
Duration
These courses take approximately four months to complete at 10 hours per week.
| Pros | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
Assumptions
There are no prerequisites for this certification.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: Best for getting started with the AWS cloud
AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification requires enrollment in an in-person or protected exam. Image: AWSIf you want a career in the administration or management of AWS cloud solutions, employers can request this or a similar official certification from AWS. AWS is one of the largest cloud providers in the world. Specializing in it could be useful for a career in cloud computing. This certification demonstrates that you have some experience using the AWS Cloud in situations that might arise during on-premises IT work.
Prices
The exam required for certification costs $150. See AWS for prices in other currencies.
Duration
The duration depends on the time an individual needs to prepare for the exam. AWS provides guides on how the exam questions will be set, as well as digital courses on AWS products (we recommend AWS Builder Labs, AWS Cloud Quest, and AWS Jam) and prep courses. The exam itself lasts 130 minutes.
| Pros | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
Assumptions
In addition to the courses listed above, which may be useful for studying for the exam, people taking this certification should have “AWS Cloud or strong on-premises IT experience,” according to the material. Coding expertise is not required, although “knowledge of basic programming concepts would be helpful,” AWS wrote. People without IT experience can study for and pass the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam if they want to become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
SEE: Cloud and Hybrid Cloud: Differences and Use Cases (TechRepublic Premium)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional: Best for AWS cloud professionals
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification is intended for people who have at least two years of professional experience with AWS Cloud. Image: AWSEarning the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification demonstrates thorough professional experience with AWS products. This certification demonstrates competency in “providing comprehensive solutions to complex problems, optimizing security, cost and performance, and automating manual processes” with cloud architecture on AWS. The exam assesses real-world skills for situations such as designing AWS deployment strategies that meet business requirements.
Prices
The exam costs $300.
Duration
The exam lasts 180 minutes. Free practice questions and courses are available with an AWS Skill Builder subscription. Duration will vary: Exam preparation for this course takes 10 hours 30 minutes.
| Pros | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
Assumptions
Professionals pursuing this certification should already be able to evaluate cloud application requirements and provide their organizations with recommendations for appropriate deployments on AWS. They should be well versed in architectural design across various applications and projects in complex organizations.
Microsoft Certified – Azure Fundamentals: Best for Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is one of the most popular cloud services. Image: MicrosoftAzure rivals AWS as the most used cloud computing provider. Earning this certification will demonstrate professional capabilities with Azure, including support from Microsoft. The certification is the first level of official Microsoft training for Azure. Passing the exam and becoming certified requires you to describe and manage Azure compute, networking, and storage.
Prices
The exam costs $99.
Duration
The exam lasts 45 minutes.
| Pros | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
Assumptions
Professionals interested in taking this course should be technology professionals with experience in infrastructure management, database management, and/or software development.
CompTIA Cloud+: Best for experienced IT professionals
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a recognized advocate for information technology. Image: CompTIACompTIA certifications are widely accepted credentials for IT and information security roles. While not strictly necessary for advancement in these fields, CompTIA certification shows seriousness in pursuing excellence in this type of career. The relevant certification will teach you how to maintain, optimize and troubleshoot real-world cloud infrastructure.
Prices
The CompTIA Cloud+ exam costs $369.
Duration
The exam lasts 90 minutes.
| Pros | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
Assumptions
Students should be experienced IT professionals with approximately five years of experience, including 2-3 years as a system administrator or cloud engineer.
ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional: Best for cloud security
The ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional certification signifies professional success in cloud security. Image: ISC2Like CompTIA, ISC2 is known as a well-established industry association focused on cybersecurity. The cloud security skills tested on this exam and demonstrated by this certification include designing, managing, and securing data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud.
Prices
The exam and training together cost $1,519. The exam cannot be purchased separately.
Duration
The exam lasts 3 hours.
There are two training options: self-paced or instructor-led. Instructor-led training sessions last from one week to three months, depending on the schedule.
| Pros | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
Assumptions
Students pursuing the CCSP certification should have five years of experience in IT. Work toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or related fields counts as one year of experience for CCSP certification purposes. Three years must be in information security and one year must be in one of the following domains:
- Cloud concepts, architecture and design.
- Cloud data security.
- Cloud platform and infrastructure security.
- Cloud application security.
- Cloud security operations.
- Legal, Risk and Compliance.
Methodology
When choosing these certifications, I looked at actual job postings for titles like cloud administrator, system administrator, and cloud security administrator. Many job postings that used AWS or Azure as cloud providers sought certifications specifically for those services. I choose other certifications based on professional reputation and broad acceptance of standards from these organizations.