Why Cloud Certifications Matter
By: Brady Bastian
The advent of cloud computing has led to a significant realignment in corporate data processing and application development strategies. This realignment has standardized the entire cloud development stack, from data engineering to application development to data visualization. Standardization necessitates a more focused skill set that is relevant to the entire spectrum of cloud development.
Monolithic and isolated applications residing on on-premises servers and utilizing proprietary message protocols and engineering methods are obsolete. Instead, applications are increasingly focused on cloud-native architecture with decoupled microservices, standardized messaging protocols, and common authentication patterns. To take full advantage of the cloud's capabilities and achieve operational efficiency, businesses should rely on experts in cloud engineering, infrastructure, and best practices. Cloud certification provides this expertise, and cloud-certified professionals make a greater and more immediate impact on their partner companies.
What Are Cloud Certifications?
Cloud Certifications are issued by cloud providers, such as Google Cloud, and demonstrate expertise in an area of cloud engineering such as Data Engineering, Cloud Architecture, or Cloud Networking. To earn a cloud certification, candidates must pass a comprehensive examination that tests their knowledge of the provider's infrastructure and development standards. This ensures that any development performed in the cloud adheres to the provider's standards and best practices.
In GCP there are three levels of certification: Foundational, Associate, and Professional.
Foundational certifications demonstrate knowledge of basic cloud components and architecture such as which services would be relevant and applicable to most customer service requests. These certifications are suited to tertiary positions such as sales, customer service, or for business leaders who are looking for an introduction to the cloud. At GCP there is only one foundational certification: Cloud Digital Leader.
Associate certifications are great for junior engineers or experienced engineers who are new to GCP or the cloud. Achieving an Associate Certification signals a solid understanding of the intricacies of particular Google Cloud technologies and how to build high-performing cloud native applications. They understand security, microservices, and infrastructure as code (IAC). An Associate engineer would partner with more seasoned engineers to provide support in application development. At GCP, there is only one Associate Level certification: Cloud Engineer.
Professional Certifications signal in-depth expertise in an aspect of Cloud Engineering, such as Data Engineering, and understand how a solution fits into a broader GCP architecture including how to ensure a highly secure architecture or achieve a high-degree of operational efficiency. A Certified Professional can help businesses find the right solution for the right problem by effectively mapping business requirements to technical solutions. This encompasses an entire end-to-end architecture, such as building a data platform or event driven processing engine.
In GCP there are a number of Professional Certifications, each corresponding to an area of expertise.
Difference Makers
Certified GCP professionals are highly productive, especially when compared with uncertified professionals. This is because they have a deep understanding of cloud architecture and can draw on a wide and deep reservoir of knowledge when developing cloud native solutions. In addition, certified professionals are able to leverage Google Cloud's extensive ecosystem of tools and services to accelerate their projects and deliver innovative solutions.
Businesses often cite the differences that credentialing makes. When recruiting for engineering positions in the cloud, many businesses identify a significant skills gap. Certifications are a great way to address any gaps in an employee's skill set or experience. These certifications validate a specific skill set and align development standards throughout an organization. Certified professionals act as force multipliers on your team by aligning development standards and maximizing application efficiency. Altogether, this leads to better outcomes more frequently and at a lower cost.
Google organizes a network of their certified individuals through Credly, an online certifications broker. Use this skills search engine to discover and find certified individuals with the skill sets and credentials you're looking for. Altogether, Google has created a rich ecosystem of engineers, contributors, and leaders who are driving the industry forward and helping lead the way for businesses to take full advantage of the cloud.