Cloud computing has become an integral part of IT infrastructure, experiencing massive growth recently.
As per Gartner, end-user spending on public cloud services is forecast to reach $591.8 billion in 2024. This rapid adoption of cloud solutions has led to a huge demand for cloud computing skills. Mastering key skills will prepare you for a successful cloud career in 2024.
Top 10 In-Demand Cloud Skills
Here are the most vital cloud computing skills to learn in 2024:
Cloud Platform Fluency
Gaining expertise in leading platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP is fundamental for operating in the cloud landscape.
AWS Skills:
Learn core AWS computing, storage, networking, databases, and analytics services. Key offerings include EC2, S3, VPC, and IAM.
Understand AWS architecture composed of regions, availability zones, edge locations & data centers.
Master AWS pricing models like pay-as-you-go, Savings Plans, and Reserved Instances.
Learn security protocols like KMS encryption, WAF, Shield, and Macie.
Azure Skills:
Learn foundational and management services like Virtual Machines, Storage Accounts, Virtual Networking, and Azure AD.
Grasp Azure architecture spans global infrastructure, geographies, region pairs, and availability zones.
Understand pricing models involving resource costs and service types like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Explore security fundamentals covering Azure Key Vault, Sentinel, and role-based access control.
GCP Skills:
Discover computing, storage, networking, and big data services like Compute Engine, BigQuery, and Cloud Storage.
Learn how regions and zones provide geographic presence and high availability.
Examine the committed use discounts pricing model.
Understand the Shared Responsibility security model. ## Linux & Windows Server Administration
Sharpen OS administration skills to provision and operate cloud infrastructure effectively:
Linux Skills:
Master skills like shell scripting, file management, user administration, process controls, and network configuration.
Learn configuration management tools like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet.
Understand performance monitoring and tuning techniques.
Troubleshoot effectively and foster disaster recovery capabilities.
Windows Server Skills:
Hone server installation, Active Directory configuration, DNS/DHCP setup, and Group Policy skills.
Learn best practices surrounding security, data storage allocating, load balancing, and failover clustering.
Gain expertise in Windows PowerShell for task automation.
Master monitoring and troubleshooting abilities. ## Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
IaC, like Terraform and CloudFormation, is pivotal for automating deployment and management.
Terraform Skills:
Learn skills like infrastructure provisioning, resource orchestration, and multi-cloud deployments.
Understand how to manage infrastructure safely, repetitively, and efficiently via code.
Discover techniques for versioning and collaboration for scale.
CloudFormation Skills:
Learn to deploy and update cloud resources predictably via templates.
Understand capabilities around continuous delivery and DevOps.
Discover how to consolidate and reuse infrastructure elements.
Scripting
Scripting binds cloud components together, enabling flexible management:
Bash Scripting:
Master shell scripting to combine commands for task automation.
Learn file system navigation, permission settings, and process handling via scripts.
Understand best practices related to variables, functions, and error handling.
PowerShell Scripting:
Learn automated administration for Windows-based Servers.
Streamline OS management application deployments.
Understand key components - pipeline management, flow control, and error handling. ## Monitoring & Observability
Monitoring provides operational visibility, facilitating robust management:
Skills:
Learn principles like metrics, logging, and tracing distributed requests.
Discover cloud-native monitoring tools like Datadog, New Relic, and CloudWatch.
Understand APM, infrastructure monitoring, and log analytics techniques.
Develop capabilities surrounding alerting, visualization, and troubleshooting. ## Networking Fundamentals
Networking know-how is critical for connectivity and security.
Skills:
Learn core networking fundamentals spanning TCP/IP, DNS, VPNs, IPv4/IPv6.
Understand cloud network components like VPCs, subnets, NACLs, and routing tables.
Discover network security mechanisms like encryption, firewalls, and DDoS protection.
Gain insights into load-balancing concepts and implementation. ## Containers & Orchestration
Containers and orchestrators like Docker and Kubernetes enable scalable deployments:
Skills:
Learn Docker fundamentals - images, containers, registries, and compose files.
Discover Kubernetes architecture spanning pods, nodes, and clusters.
Understand deployment concepts like desired state, health checks, and updates.
Learn administration skills for high availability and scalability.
Explore added capabilities like service mesh, ingress, and observability. ## Programming
Programming breeds automation and innovations:
Skills:
Master languages like Python, Go, and JavaScript to build cloud-native applications.
Learn SDK usage for integrating cloud services into code.
Understand IaC solutions like Terraform further expanding capabilities.
Discover design methodologies like test-driven development. ## Cloud Architecture Patterns
Patterns yield best practices for highly scalable solutions:
Skills:
Learn N-tier, event-driven, and distributed architectures, among other patterns.
Understand key tenets like high availability, fault tolerance, and cost efficiency.
Discover major cloud design principles of scale, performance, and operation.
Continuously evolve abilities in line with technological innovations. ## Cloud Security
Robust security is fundamental for cloud reliability:
Skills:
Learn the shared responsibility model and risks like unauthorized access and DDoS.
Understand compliance standards like SOC, ISO, and PCI DSS.
Master encryption, identity management, firewalls, and anti-malware tools.
Foster skills surrounding governance frameworks, access controls, and auditing.
Gaining expertise in these cutting-edge skills will boost your career prospects as an adept cloud computing practitioner.
Top Cloud Certifications for 2024
Certifications provide tangible proof of your cloud abilities, enhancing your qualifications as an expert. They demonstrate your commitment to staying updated with the latest technologies. Here are the most valuable cloud certifications to pursue in 2024.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
The AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification verifies technical expertise in designing and deploying systems on AWS. It covers a comprehensive understanding of cloud architecture principles and AWS core services.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
This advanced certification targets candidates with expertise in IT operations, including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, budgeting, and governance. It validates their mastery in architecting comprehensive cloud solutions on Azure.
Google Professional Cloud Architect
A Professional Cloud Architect possesses tremendous skill in designing, developing, and managing innovative cloud architecture. This certification by GCP proves your ability to harness GCP services excellently to build and operate solutions.
Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration
As RedHat OpenShift gains greater prominence, getting certified in administrating its Kubernetes container application platform demonstrates your skills in deploying and managing solutions.
Hashicorp Certified: Terraform Associate
Since Terraform is among the widely used IaC tools, certification validates your skills in managing infrastructure safely and efficiently via code while coordinating teams at scale.
Getting credentialed illustrates your specialized abilities in orchestrating multi-cloud environments powered by cutting-edge technologies.
Best Platforms to Learn Cloud Computing in 2024
Here are awesome online platforms for learning much-needed cloud computing skills affordably:
A Cloud Guru offers a stellar theoretical and hands-on training covering diverse topics like AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, machine learning, and security. It provides robust learning paths for various certifications.
The Linux Foundation delivers outstanding hands-on labs and courses on cloud, Linux, and DevOps skills. It encompasses training materials for several leading certifications.
Pluralsight has extensively researched high-quality courses by industry experts on trending tech like AWS, Azure, Docker, Terraform, etc. It offers learning paths tailored to different certifications.
Udemy provides access to lectures and demos on niche cloud skills like serverless computing, Kubernetes monitoring, AWS security, etc., delivered by seasoned practitioners.
edX hosts beginner and intermediate-level programs designed by reputed institutions on fundamentals like cloud architecture, infrastructure automation, containers, programming, and more for free or at low cost.
Conclusion
Building expertise in architectural patterns, automation tools, scripting, monitoring, and other pivotal cloud abilities is key to thriving as a cloud computing pro in the present landscape.
Recognized certifications will further augment your qualifications. With the abundance of specialist platforms, ample opportunities exist to acquire and refine these skills affordably today.