50+ Best Cloud and Cloud Security Certifications
The growth of cloud technology has been phenomenal over the past few years, and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Companies of all sizes depend on cloud platforms, which is why the demand for IT professionals with cloud and cloud security certifications continues to increase.
This is excellent news for anyone working in IT or considering it as a career. This kind of demand helps with job security, something that’s pretty hard to come by these days. But don’t think that you can just walk in and grab a job in cloud computing without the right training; you need to have proven experience and expertise.
That’s where cloud certifications come in. When you receive a certification, it demonstrates to potential employers that you have the know-how they need. And it only gets better – in addition to making you a more attractive candidate and helping ensure job security, having cloud certifications can also lead to a bigger paycheck. Earning cloud certification is a definite step forward for any IT professional looking to advance their career. (And, of course, certifications are a great asset if you’re trying to strengthen your team or your company’s credibility.)
To help you take that next step forward, we’ve compiled a list of the top 50+ cloud and cloud security certifications.
Contents by Company
- Arcitura
- Amazon Web Services — AWS
- CCC
- Cisco
- Cloud Genius
- Cloud Institute
- Cloud Security Alliance
- CompTIA
- EXIN
- IBM
- (ISC)²
- Microsoft
- Red Hat
- Salesforce
- SANS
- VMwareÂ
Arcitura
Founded by author and IT thought leader Thomas Erl in 2011, Arcitura has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the top providers of IT training and certifications. They’ve certified thousands of IT professionals worldwide from a broad range of industries including government agencies, academic institutions, and Fortune 500 companies.
Certified Cloud Professional
Certification as a Cloud Professional through Arcitura indicates that you’ve mastered the fundamentals of cloud computing. To become a Certified Cloud Professional, you need to take the Fundamental Cloud Computing Exam plus one additional test on a more specific area of cloud technology.
Key Point: This certification is very versatile; it’s a great choice for those who simply need to verify their competency in cloud computing or for those who want to eventually pursue higher certifications.
Certified Cloud Technology Professional
Becoming a Certified Cloud Technology Professional is a step beyond the Cloud Professional certification. Having this certification indicates a deeper knowledge of cloud platforms, the resources used to assemble them, how they evolve, and how to address common threats and challenges.
To become a Certified Cloud Technology Professional, you need to complete three exams: Fundamental Cloud Computing, Cloud Technology Concepts, and Cloud Technology Lab.
Key Point: This certification will appeal to a variety of IT professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge of cloud computing technology and its mechanics.
Certified Cloud Architect
Certification as a Cloud Architect indicates that you have a thorough understanding of the structural components of cloud platforms and have mastered the hands-on application of design patterns, principles, and practices used to engineer and evolve such environments.
This certification is a bit more specialized than the ones listed above. While the first two cover general cloud computing and technology, becoming certified as a Cloud Architect requires being able to put theory into practice.
To become a Certified Cloud Architect, you need to take a total of five exams, including a Cloud Architecture Lab exam which demonstrates the ability to put your knowledge of cloud theories, models, and techniques into practice.
Key Point: This certification is more hands-on than those prior to it. To become certified as a Cloud Architect, you must be able to show that you can apply what you have learned in real world scenarios.
Certified Cloud Security Specialist
This certification is solely focused on cloud computing security – how to prevent attacks, counter threats, design custom security controls, etc. The exams required include the basic Fundamental Cloud Computing and Cloud Technology Concepts exams plus three security-specific exams.
Key Point: Certification as a Cloud Security Specialist isn’t for everyone. Your average, everyday IT professional probably doesn’t need to learn all about complex security issues. This certification is for those who would like to pursue a career that’s geared towards cloud security.
Certified Cloud Governance Specialist
The primary purpose of this certification is to demonstrate an understanding of IT governance as it applies to cloud computing.
To become a Certified Cloud Governance Specialist, you must have knowledge of:
- Cloud governance programs, models, and controls
- The cloud governance lifecycle
- Common lifestyle stages of cloud projects and how they’re governed
- Cloud domain IT resource inventory models
- Cloud governance task types, framework components, tools, and models
- Strategic cloud planning
- Cloud service testing standards
Key Point: A Certified Cloud Governance Specialist is the person in an organization who is responsible for defining, monitoring, and adjusting the policies and processes that govern the cloud throughout its lifecycle. If that’s your career goal, then this is the certification for you.
Certified Cloud Storage Specialist
A Certified Cloud Storage Specialist will demonstrate a thorough understanding of all the components, technologies, practices, and assessment criteria related to cloud storage services.
The exams for this certification cover topics such as:
- Fundamental storage and disk concepts
- File systems and volume management
- Distributed/clustered file systems, concatenation, and partitioning
- I/O flow, NICs, and storage switches
- HBA replication
- IP and non-IP storage
- Front- and back-end storage device components
- IP SAN, FCIP, and IP storage isolation
Key Point: To successfully complete this certification, you’ll need to be able to achieve goals and provide solutions by evaluating, designing, and fixing cloud storage technologies.
Certified Cloud Virtualization Specialist
To be certified as a Cloud Virtualization Specialist, a person must be knowledgeable in virtualization technologies, types, mechanisms, practices, management, and design.
To pass the certification exams, you must have an understanding of:
- Traditional vs. contemporary virtualization
- 10 virtualization types
- 18 virtualization mechanisms
- Virtual machines
- ROI and strategic benefits of service virtualization
- Virtual infrastructure and management
- Monitoring and KPIs
- Virtual server and virtual switch isolation
- Considerations for performance, capacity, and scaling
Key Point: This is another specialist track offered by Arcitura. For most IT professionals, this type of credential will prove to be unnecessary. If you have an interest in virtualization technologies, then this will be a perfect fit.
Certified Cloud Capacity Specialist
Capacity management is used to plan, manage, and optimize IT infrastructure resources so applications can run efficiently while keeping costs down.
Those who become Certified Cloud Capacity Specialists have a proven knowledge of:
- Capacity management purposes, benefits, concepts, and terminology
- Workload analysis and cloud-based workload management
- Business, service, and resource capacity
- Efficient operational environments
- Network and system monitoring requirements
- Capacity calculations for storage, networks, operating systems, etc.
- Service, resource, and virtualization capacity estimation and calculation
- Implementing capacity management plans
- System health and capacity reporting
Key Point: Obtain this certification if you want to specialize in the capacity planning, monitoring, and management of cloud-based technologies.
Certified Cloud Trainer
For IT professionals with a deep knowledge base and a passion for teaching, Arcitura offers certification as a Cloud Trainer. With this certification, you can teach courses on behalf of Arcitura.
To become a Certified Cloud Trainer, you need to go through the following steps:
- Complete the courses in your chosen specialization
- Make sure you have the field expertise necessary to become a trainer
- Contact Arcitura to schedule a phone interview
- Receive and review the Arcitura Education Certified Trainer Guide
Key Point: Trainers for Arcitura have the opportunity to travel widely, delivering private and public training on site. If you love technology and want to share your knowledge with others, becoming a Certified Cloud Trainer just might be the right choice for you.
Amazon Web Services — AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) was launched in 2006 and quickly became established as one of the top three cloud computing providers. They began offering certifications in 2013 to help identify IT professionals possessing the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to work with the AWS Cloud.
Cloud Practitioner
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As the starting point of AWS’s certification offerings, being a Cloud Practitioner indicates that you have a good overall understanding of the AWS cloud without any specialization.
To successfully certify as a Cloud Practitioner, you must have a working knowledge of:
- The AWS Cloud including its infrastructure, architectural principles, and value proposition
- Key services available through the AWS platform and their common uses
- Basic facets of security and compliance in regard to the AWS platform
- AWS Cloud billing, account management, pricing models, etc.
 Key Point: You should have a solid understanding of IT services plus at least six months of experience with the AWS Cloud before attempting this exam.
Architect (Associate/Professional)
If your primary focus is constructing and implementing applications using AWS technology, this is the certification you’ve been looking for.
There are two levels of certification for Solutions Architects: Associate and Professional. You are required to complete the Associate level before attempting the Professional exam.
This type of certification is designed for people who work in a solutions architect role and are experienced in:
- Meeting customer requirements using architectural design principles
- Providing operational guidance throughout the project’s life cycle
- Designing accessible, cost-effective, dependable, and scalable systems on AWS
- AWS’s computing, networking, database, storage, and management services
Key Point: To be eligible for the Associate exam, you need at least one year of hands-on experience with AWS. For Professional certification, the requirement is two or more years.
Certified Developer
To be certified as an AWS Developer, you must demonstrate technical proficiency in creating and maintaining applications on the AWS platform.
Success on this certification exam requires knowledge of:
- How to select the correct AWS services for the application
- Writing code that will optimize the AWS services being used by your application
- Applying code-level security such as credentials, encryption, etc.Â
Key Point: Eligible candidates must have a working knowledge of at least one high-level programming language.
Certified SysOps Administrator
The successful candidate for SysOps Administrator certification will have experience with deployment, management, and operations on the AWS cloud platform.
Candidates will also:
- Know how to migrate an already-existing application to AWS
- Be able to implement and control the data flow to and from AWS
- Know how to estimate AWS usage costs and implement cost-control measures
- Be able to choose the most appropriate AWS service based on computing, data, and security needs
- Apply AWS operational best practices
 Key Point: There are no certification or course prerequisites to become a SysOps Administrator, though it is recommended that you take the Systems Operations courses.
Certified DevOps Engineer
Successful AWS Certified DevOps Engineer candidates will have knowledge of and experience with:
- Implementing highly available, scalable, and self-healing systems on the AWS platform
- The implementation and automation of security controls, governance mechanisms, and compliance validation
- How to apply monitoring, metrics, and logging systems on AWS
Key Point: This is an upper-level certification that requires the completion of either the AWS Certified Developer exam or the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator exam.
Certified Big Data (Specialty)
AWS offers a couple of different specialty exams, including the certification for Big Data. The ideal candidate for this certification will have deep proficiency and real-world experience in performing intricate big data processes.
The exam for Big Data certification requires that you be able to:
- Carry out vital AWS Big Data services in accordance with best practices
- Create and manage Big Data
- Automate data analysis by utilizing the appropriate tools
Key Point: You need at least five years of experience to qualify for this certification. Candidates must also have completed either Cloud Practitioner certification or any Associate-level certification offered by AWS.
Certified Advanced Networking (Specialty)
Another AWS specialty certification, the exam for Advanced Networking is designed for IT professionals who routinely perform complex networking tasks. The exam for Advanced Networking certification focuses primarily on your ability to design, create, and implement cloud-based solutions using AWS.
Key Point: This specialty certification requires that you have at least five years of experience in providing network solutions. You must also be an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or have an AWS Associate-level certification before attempting this exam.
Note: For a description of additional AWS certifications, see 9 Core and Specialty AWS Security Certifications.
CCC
Established in 2011, the Cloud Credential Council (CCC) is a global organization that was created with the sole purpose of providing vendor-neutral certifications to IT professionals.
Cloud Technology Associate
This certification is designed for anyone in the IT field who wants to demonstrate their knowledge of the fundamental concepts of cloud computing.
Areas covered include:
- Business benefits of cloud computing
- Technical aspects of virtualization
- Characteristics of cloud applications
- Steps required for the successful implementation of cloud services
- Cloud security including how to mitigate riskÂ
Key Point: Certification as a Cloud Technology Associate is the starting point for more advanced levels of certification.
Professional Cloud Administrator
The objective of this certification is to test a candidate’s understanding of cloud administration.
To achieve it, you must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
- Different types of cloud environments
- How to plan for cloud capacity
- Cloud administration technology including virtual networks, storage, computing, and application management in the cloud
- Meeting security compliance and certification requirements
Key Point: The certification for Professional Cloud Administrator was created for IT managers or those who work as network, systems, or database administrators.
Professional Cloud Developer
A Professional Cloud Developer is a person who has an in-depth understanding of cloud-computing providers. This knowledge includes design principles, the application lifecycle, database integrations, and monetization techniques.
Key Point: This certification is great for those who are already working as Application Developers or Cloud Architects.
Professional Cloud Security Manager
Achieving certification as a Professional Cloud Security Manager will demonstrate that you know how to analyze security needs and design methods to protect the integrity of various cloud computing services.
Key Point: This certification is a good fit for those who have experience working as Compliance Managers, IT Security Professionals, Network Engineers, Email System Administrators, or Cloud Service Auditors.
Professional Cloud Service Manager
The Professional Cloud Service Manager Certification was designed for CIOs, IT Managers, Service Managers, and Cloud Strategy Consultants.
To certify successfully, you must be able to:
- Assess an organization’s ability to design, implement, and operate cloud services
- Understand the potential risks and benefits of implementing cloud services
- Outline a variety of pricing models for cloud services
- Know the differences between cloud service management and traditional IT service management
Key Point: The purpose of this certification is to highlight your proficiency in cloud service management fundamentals such as strategy, design, economics, and governance.
Professional Cloud Solutions Architect
This certification is perfect for IT professionals who are responsible for overseeing an organization’s overall cloud computing strategy. They will understand how to create plans for cloud adoption, application design, management of the cloud, and cloud monitoring.
Key Point: To become certified as a Professional Cloud Solutions Architect, you need to have a broad base of knowledge that includes the technological engineering of cloud computing, cloud service lifecycle, service transition, cloud ecosystem, as well as types of XaaS solutions.
Cisco
Cisco is a multinational technology conglomerate with a long history of providing innovative tech solutions. Founded in 1984, it has now grown to be the largest networking company in the world. One of the many services Cisco provides is certifications for IT professionals.
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CCNA Cloud
CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Administrator. CCNA Cloud certification is designed for those who currently work as cloud engineers, network administrators, or cloud administrators.
Key Point: There are no prerequisites for this certification. CCNA Cloud certification will demonstrate your understanding of cloud deployments, computing, networking, infrastructure, provisioning, and monitoring.
CCNP Cloud
Cloud Network Professional is another certification offered by Cisco. It is more commonly referred to as CCNP Cloud. This certification is for cloud engineers, administrators, designers, and architects who are able to design, implement, problem-solve, and modify Cisco Cloud and Intercloud Solutions.
Key Point: Before commencing this course of certification, you must have either a valid CCNA Cloud certification or any other Cisco CCIE certification.
Cloud Genius
Founded by industry experts in 2011, Cloud Genius seeks to provide engaging, thorough, and interactive courses for IT professionals via online video conferences.
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Cloud Genius
This certification will give you the opportunity to learn about cloud services models, deployment models, the pros and cons of cloud computing, migrating to the cloud, etc.
Key Point: With a focus on open source tools and vendor neutrality, Cloud Genius can be a great first step toward a career in cloud computing.
Cloud Institute
Operating on a global scale, the Cloud Institute offers online vendor-neutral certification programs for Cloud Specialists. They currently provide two accredited tracks for certification.
Cloud Architect
The ideal candidate for Cloud Architect certification will have a firm understanding of the technology and architecture that make up cloud computing platforms.
To successfully pass the exam, they must be able to:
- Design and implement cloud computing services
- Demonstrate deep knowledge of cloud technologies, platforms, practices, and solutions
- Advise customers on cloud computing models and relevant providers
- Estimate the cost of implementing cloud-based systems
Key Point: At least six months of experience in cloud computing or related IT services is recommended.
Cloud Professional
To certify as a Cloud Professional, you must have a strong working knowledge of:
- The business value of cloud computing
- Basic cloud computing strategies
- IT service management
- Risk management and its impact on cloud computing
- Cloud computing migration processesÂ
Key Point: The best candidates for this certification have a background in business in addition to technological knowledge.
Cloud Security Alliance
The purpose of the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is to ensure a secure cloud computing environment worldwide. It accomplishes this through defining the best practices for cloud computing and educating others on these principles. As pioneers in their field, CSA created the industry’s very first cloud security certification in 2010.
Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
If you want to specialize in cloud security, there’s no better credential to have than the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). The first certification of its kind, it is still widely respected.
Obtaining the CCSK will help you to:
- Demonstrate your expertise in cloud security
- Display your ability to effectively create and implement a holistic cloud security program
- Set you apart from other candidates, making you a more desirable prospect in the cloud security market
Key Point: The Cloud Security Alliance offers two courses that can be taken in preparation for this certification. If you want a better chance of passing, it’s recommended that you complete both courses prior to your examination.
CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a non-profit trade association serving the information technology industry. A global leader in providing vendor-neutral IT certifications, they have issued more than 2 million certifications worldwide.
CompTIA Cloud+
By becoming CompTIA Cloud+ certified, you will demonstrate the ability to:
- Analyze system requirements and successfully complete migrations to the cloud
- Properly allocate cloud resources and make adjustments when needed
- Automate technologies and processes when necessary to optimize system performance
- Implement appropriate security controls within requirements provided
- Troubleshoot and create solutions for any issues related to cloud capacity, automation, connectivity, and securityÂ
Key Point: This is an excellent certification to have if you want something broad that will enable you to work in a variety of data center jobs.
EXIN
EXIN is an internationally recognized organization that provides a broad range of certifications for IT professionals. While EXIN has extensive certification offerings, we’ve chosen to highlight just a few of our top choices.
Certified Integrator Secure Cloud ServicesÂ
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Becoming an EXIN Certified Integrator Secure Cloud Services:
- Indicates that you have a solid knowledge base in cloud services
- Enables you to provide companies with faster results at a lower cost through your integrated knowledge
- Helps you learn about cloud computing, service management, and information security, plus gain an understanding of how each area relates to the others
- Helps you adapt to changes in secure cloud services
- Teaches you how to deal with security and reliability issues related to cloud computing implementationÂ
Key Point: To earn this certification, you need to complete the three foundational certificates in EXIN Cloud Computing, EXIN Information Security, and IT Service Management.
Cloud Technology Associate
Certification as a Cloud Technology Associate is a foundational credential. Through the course of certification, candidates will learn the fundamental terminology, concepts, and history of cloud computing.
Key Point: This certification is an excellent starting point for IT specialists, managers, solution consultants, and IT administrators who want to build up their knowledge of cloud computing concepts.
Virtualization Essentials
The primary focus of the Cloud Virtualization Essentials certification is learning the technical capabilities of virtualization and how they are used in business.
To successfully complete this certification, you must have a basic understanding of:
- Virtualization background
- How virtualization can be adopted
- The technologies that support virtualization
- Risks of virtualization within cloud computing
Key Point: The ideal candidates for this certification are IT specialists, managers, and solution consultants.
Along with Microsoft and Amazon, Google is one of the big three cloud computing providers. Google started offering various certifications to help meet the growing global demand for IT professionals.
Professional Cloud Architect
A Professional Cloud Architect is a person who demonstrates an in-depth understanding of cloud architecture in general and more specifically, the Google Cloud Platform. To successfully certify, you must be able to design, develop, implement, and manage cloud-based solutions to meet business objectives.
Key Point: There are no exam prerequisites, but if you want to prepare thoroughly, you can review the exam guide provided by Google, take online training courses, and get hands-on experience using Qwiklabs.
Professional Data Engineer
A Professional Data Engineer knows how to design, build, maintain, and make changes to data processing systems. They have the ability to analyze data and use their findings to make decisions, build statistical models, and gain insight into business outcomes.
Key Point: The exam for this certification must be taken in-person at a testing center.
G Suite
Becoming certified in G Suite signals to employers that you have a proven ability in using cloud-based tools.
This certification demonstrates that you’re able to:
- Create, share, and modify documents, presentations, files, and spreadsheets using cloud-based tools
- Communicate effectively via email systems
- Provide scheduling and meeting solutions through the use of cloud-based tools
Key Point: These skills may be basic, but mastering them is essential in the modern workplace.
G Suite Administrator
G Suite Administrators have the ability to:
- Configure and manage every aspect of a G Suite domain
- Administer G Suite users, groups, and access to services
- Manage the security of the G Suite domain
- Work in accordance with mobile policies
Key Point: The beta version of this certification that was recently offered is no longer available, but a full version should be released soon. Check with Google for updates.
IBM
Certifications with IBM carry a great deal of weight. As a pioneer in the tech industry, IBM began offering certifications to provide fair and reliable methods of assessing technological skills and knowledge.
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IBM Certified Solution Advisor – Cloud Reference Architecture V5
This certification enables an IT professional to demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of cloud computing and its underlying concepts. Receiving this certification also indicates that you are able to assess a client’s needs and provide IBM cloud solutions to match.
Key Point: There are several vendor-neutral certifications on this list, but this isn’t one of them. Pursue this certification if you’re interested in dealing primarily with IBM cloud computing.
IBM Certified Solution Architect – Cloud Platform Solution Architecture V2
To be an IBM Certified Solution Architect, you need to be able to design, plan, and construct a cloud infrastructure. The exam for this certification tests your competency in:
- Understanding IBM Cloud Infrastructure components and principles of architecture
- Constructing an IBM Cloud Infrastructure solution to meet a customer’s unique set of needs
- Applying IBM’s Cloud management principles along with best practices from the industryÂ
Key Point: Since this is an IBM-specific certification, you should already have some background knowledge and experience with their cloud infrastructure.
(ISC)²
(ISC)² is a non-profit membership association created to serve information security professionals worldwide. With more than 130,000 members, (ISC)² works hard to provide them with professional development and leadership tools, including IT certifications.
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The Certified Cloud Security Professional is a globally recognized vendor-neutral credential that’s accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Having this certification indicates your expertise in information and cloud computing security.Â
Key Point: As a vendor-neutral certification, this credential is very versatile. But keep in mind that it is for those who want to specialize in information security – it’s not a general certification in cloud computing.
Microsoft
Microsoft might be best known for its operating system, but these days it’s earning a stellar reputation for Azure — its cloud computing service. Through Azure, Microsoft can provide more than 600 customized services including those involving computing, storage, mobile services, data management, messaging, and media services.
MTA: Microsoft Technology Associate
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A Microsoft Technology Associate demonstrates a basic understanding of fundamental technical concepts. MTA certification will provide proof to potential employers that you have the core technical knowledge needed in the modern workplace.
Key Point: This is an entry-level certification designed for those who are just beginning their career in technology.
MCSA: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
If your goal is to become a cloud administrator or architect, then certifying as a Microsoft Solutions Associate could be the next step for you to take. This certification indicates that you can utilize Microsoft cloud-based technologies to deliver value to businesses at a reasonable cost.
Key Point: Before attempting to gain this credential, you do need to have foundational IT skills. If you feel your skills are lacking, try taking a less advanced Microsoft certification first.
MCSE: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
This level of certification is higher than those preceding it. To successfully complete certification as a Microsoft Solutions Expert, you must demonstrate expertise in cloud technologies, systems management, virtualization, storage, and networking.
Key Point: This certification indicates that you have the ability to run a modern data center. An MCSE credential will qualify you for vital positions such as cloud administrator, computer support specialist, cloud architect, and information security analyst.
Red Hat
With a history firmly rooted in collaboration, Red Hat prides itself on providing open source IT solutions, including a path to OpenStack certification.
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Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenStack
To earn this certification as a System Administrator in Red Hat OpenStack, candidates must have the ability to:
- Install and setup Red Hat OpenStack Platform
- Manage users, projects, and rules
- Add compute nodes
- Construct, arrange, and maintain images
Key Point: If you’re an IT professional who has extensive experience with the Red Hat OpenStack Platform, then this is the certification for you. If you are looking for a certification that’s vendor-neutral, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Salesforce
Salesforce is an American cloud computing company known for providing the world’s top Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. Though they’re not the most sought-after credentials, Salesforce does offer several certifications for IT professionals.Â
Certified Administrator
Certification as a Salesforce Administrator requires having extensive knowledge of Salesforce applications. Candidates for this credential should be able to customize, configure, manage, update, and improve Salesforce. You should also have the ability to build reports, workflows, and dashboards.
Key Point: There are no prerequisites for this exam, but it’s recommended that you take preparatory courses and practice tests.
Certified Advanced Administrator
The required credentials for becoming a Certified Advanced Administrator are:
- Having high-level experience as a Salesforce Administrator
- Possessing in-depth knowledge of Salesforce applications
- Being able to configure and manage Salesforce
- The ability to utilize the advanced administration capabilities of Salesforce
- Experience optimizing Sales Cloud and Service Cloud applications
- The ability to design advanced reports, dashboards, and business process automation
Key Point: To earn this certification, you need to currently be working as a Salesforce Certified Administrator.
Certified Commerce Cloud Digital Developer
A Salesforce Certified Commerce Cloud Digital Developer has the ability to use their knowledge and skills to:
- Set up the development environment
- Work with the digital data model
- Perform site configuration tasks
- Interact with external applications
- Optimize site performance
- Identify and correct common issues
Key Point: Keep in mind that this certification is another credential that’s specific to the Salesforce platform.
Certified Application Architect
A Certified Application Architect will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Salesforce features and functions. There are multiple prerequisites for this credential, including becoming certified in:
- Salesforce Certified Data Architecture and Management Designer
- Salesforce Certified Sharing & Visibility Designer
- Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I
- Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder
Key Point: Many people earn this certification as a step towards becoming a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect.
Certified System Architect
The certification for Salesforce System Architect focuses primarily on testing, governance, and integration with other systems.
Like the Certified Application Architect credential, this certification also requires several prerequisites including:
- Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Designer
- Certified Identity and Access Management Designer
- Certified Integration Architecture Designer
- Certified Platform Developer I
Key Point: Upper level certifications like the one listed here are designed for IT professionals who intend to have a long career specializing in the Salesforce platform.
Certified Technical Architect
The highest level of architectural certification at Salesforce, the Certified Technical Architect will be able to design and build highly efficient technical solutions that maximize the potential of the Salesforce platform.
The examination for this certification is administered via a review board exam. During the exam, you will be tasked with recommending an architecture solution based on hypothetical customer requirements. You will then have to explain your conclusion and defend your choice.Â
Key Point: Attempting this certification is not something to be taken lightly. It requires multiple, time-intensive prerequisites plus an in-person board exam.
SANS
Established in 1989, the SANS Institute serves as a cooperative research and education organization. It is widely respected for being one of the largest and most trusted sources of information security training and certification.
Cloud Security Fundamentals (SEC524)
By becoming certified in Cloud Security Fundamentals, you will learn:
- Cloud computing delivery models
- How to evaluate cloud providers
- What set of security conditions you should consider
- The risks involved with various models of cloud computing
- How to perform risk assessment
- Comparing technical implementation and operations vs risk assessment
- Application security
- Patch and configuration management
- Virtualization security
Key Point: If you want to dip your toe into the world of cloud security, this certification is a good place to start. It provides a thorough overview of the essentials of cloud security.
VMware
A subsidiary of Dell Technologies, VMware offers cloud computing and platform virtualization software and services. They also offer a variety of certification credentials to qualified IT professionals.
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VMware Certified Professional
Becoming a VMware Certified Professional indicates that you can:
- Administer vSphere V6 infrastructures
- Use best practices to provide a virtualization platform that’s reliable and scalable
- Provide troubleshooting for vSphere V6 infrastructures
- Create a virtualization platform that meets the needs of your company
Key Point: With more than 100,000 Certified Professionals worldwide, this is one of the most popular credentials offered by VMware.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Blog – Threat Stack authored by Alan Nakashian-Holsberg. Read the original post at: https://www.threatstack.com/blog/50-best-cloud-and-cloud-security-certifications
