Cloud computing has become a necessity for almost all businesses. Given this reality, there is a significant need to design, develop, deploy, manage, and secure workloads in the cloud.
AWS offers a multitude of certifications , and having relevant certifications is an important way you can demonstrate cloud credibility and competence as an individual and how your organization can demonstrate value to its customers.
With that in mind, here’s a list of nine key AWS Security Certifications to consider. Whether you’re just starting to build your cloud credentials, looking to expand your skills and expertise in a particular area, or want to deepen your expertise, there should be something to match your needs among these industry-recognized certifications.
1. AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is an introductory certification specifically created to demonstrate an individual’s overall understanding of the AWS Cloud. This examination is a recommended start to achieving Specialty certification or an optional start toward Associate certification.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisites: The candidate must have at least six months’ of cloud experience with a knowledge of the fundamental architectural principles of AWS, use cases for AWS services, as well as AWS deployment and operating principles and security models.
Details: Candidates have 90 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $100.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals seeking to have their knowledge validated for an overall understanding of the AWS Cloud.
2. AWS Certified Developer AssociateThe AWS Certified Developer Associate exam deals with the development and maintenance of applications using AWS.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisites: The candidate must have more than one years’ experience programming and writing code for AWS software and applications. Additionally, the candidate must have knowledge of best practices for using AWS workflow, notification, and database services, along with expertise in design, development, and management of AWS-based applications.
Details: Candidates have 80 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $150.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals who want to have their skills validated for developing and managing applications on the AWS Cloud.
3. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator AssociateAWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate deals with system administration, specifically, expertise in deployment, management, and operations on the AWS platform.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisites: The candidate must have more than one year of experience operating AWS-based applications. Additionally, the candidate must have knowledge of managing data centers, AWS services, and security systems.
Details: Candidates have 80 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $150.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals seeking to have their skills and knowledge validated for implementation, migration, and operation of applications based on the AWS platform.
4. AWS Solutions Architect AssociateThe AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification deals with how to architect and deploy secure and robust applications on AWS technologies.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisites: The candidate must have one year of experience designing scalable, efficient, and fault-proof systems on AWS. Additionally, the candidate must have knowledge of network technologies, client interfaces, security systems, and their integration on the AWS platform.
Details: Candidates have 130 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $150.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals seeking to have their skills and knowledge validated in designing and deploying robust and secure applications for AWS.
5. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer ProfessionalThe AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional exam deals with provisioning, operating, and managing distributed application systems on the AWS platform.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisites: Either AWS Certified Developer Associate or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate.
The candidate must have two or more years’ experience provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments. Additionally, the candidate must have knowledge of designing and managing tools to automate production operations.
Details: Candidates have 170 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $300.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals seeking to have their developer and system operational skills validated on a professional level.
6. AWS Certified Solutions Architect ProfessionalThe AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional exam validates advanced technical skills and experience centering on designing and deploying dynamically scalable, highly available, fault-tolerant, and reliable applications on AWS.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisites: AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
The candidate must have two or more years’ experience in the best practices of architectural design and deploying cloud architecture on AWS. Additionally, the candidate must have knowledge of cost optimization strategies, selection of appropriate AWS Services, and migration of complex application systems on AWS.
Details: Candidates have 170 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $300.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals seeking to have their advanced architectural, design, and development skills validated on a professional level.
7. AWS Certified Big Data SpecialtyThe AWS Certified Big Data Specialty certification deals with analyzing data and the skills required to extract data by implementing AWS Services.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisite: Any AWS Associate Level Certification.
The candidate must have a minimum of five years’ experience in AWS tools for data analysis. Additionally, the candidate must have knowledge of the design and maintenance of Big Data along with best practices for securing Big Data solutions.
Details: Candidates have 170 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $300.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals seeking to validate their skills in Big Data and networking.
8. AWS Certified Advanced Networking SpecialtyThe AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty certification validates advanced technical skills and experience in designing and implementing AWS and hybrid IT network architectures at scale.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisite: Any AWS Associate Level Certification.
The candidate must have a minimum of five years’ experience in the design and implementation of network solutions. Additionally, the candidate must have skills in AWS networking concepts as well as architecting, developing, and deploying AWS-based cloud solutions. Knowledge of security implementation and network optimization is also a must.
Details: Candidates have 170 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $300.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?Individuals seeking to validate their network architecture skills for all AWS Services.
9. AWS Certified Security SpecialtyThe AWS Certified Security Specialty certification enables experienced security professionals to demonstrate their knowledge of and ability to secure the AWS platform.
What Are the Requirements for the Exam?Prerequisite: T he exam is open to anyone who currently holds a Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certification.
Candidates require a minimum of five years’ of IT security experience designing and implementing security solutions, a knowledge of security controls for workloads on AWS, and at least two years’ of direct practical experience securing AWS workloads.
Details: Candidates have 170 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $300.
Who Should Obtain This Certification?This certification is suited to anyone who wants to validate their AWS knowledge across a range of security topics including risk assessment, infrastructure security, data protection and encryption, identity and access management, incident response, and logging and monitoring.
Wrapping Up . . .AWS certifications can help you build foundational and advanced knowledge in a broad range of best practices for cloud technology while demonstrating that your skills have been validated by one of the most well-known organizations in cloud computing.
Becoming AWS certified can help advance your career and connect you with businesses seeking skilled cloud professionals. And collectively, AWS certifications help to demonstrate an organization’s knowledge, capabilities, and commitment to its prospects and customers.
If you have opinions or recommendations about AWS certifications, let us know. And if you’re interested in a less formal way of keeping up on all things Security, Dev, and Ops, subscribe to our blog and tune in to our brand new podcast ― Your System Called .
*** 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/9-core-specialty-aws-security-certifications
