Azure Cloud Engineer Certification: Master the Fundamentals and Beyond

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Getting certified as an Azure Cloud Engineer can open doors to new career opportunities and help you stay up-to-date with the latest cloud technologies.

The Azure Cloud Engineer certification is offered by Microsoft and is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in designing, implementing, and managing cloud-based solutions on Microsoft Azure.

To prepare for the certification exam, it's essential to have a solid understanding of Azure fundamentals, including Azure architecture, Azure services, and Azure security.

This includes knowledge of Azure compute services, such as Virtual Machines and Container Instances, as well as Azure storage services, like Blob Storage and File Storage.

Career and Job Opportunities

The job outlook for Azure Cloud Engineers is extremely promising. According to Indeed, the average salary for an Azure Cloud Engineer is $140,000 per year in the United States and ₹11,19,106 per year in India.

You can expect to find job opportunities in various industries, as many multinational companies like 3M, Heineken, NBC Sports, and TCS use Azure across their operations.

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Some of the typical jobs that use Azure include roles in data analysis, cloud computing engineering, cloud systems integration, DevOps engineer, Azure solutions architect, and other similar data engineering roles.

Here are some job titles you can expect to find in the field:

  • Azure Cloud System Administrator
  • Azure Cloud Developer
  • Azure Cloud Solutions Architect
  • Azure Cloud Engineer
  • Azure Cloud Security Architect

With over 1,000 new sign-ups for Azure occurring each day, the demand for skilled Azure professionals is on the rise.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for Azure Cloud Engineers is incredibly promising. The average salary for an Azure Cloud Engineer is $140,000 per year in the United States and ₹11,19,106 per year in India, according to Indeed.

More than 1,000 new sign-ups for Azure occur each day, which translates to approximately 365,000 new sign-ups each year, as reported by Microsoft.

Many top companies, such as 3M, Heineken, and NBC Sports, use Azure across various industries, showcasing its widespread adoption.

Here are some job titles related to Azure Cloud Engineer roles:

  • Azure Cloud System Administrator
  • Azure Cloud Developer
  • Azure Cloud Solutions Architect
  • Azure Cloud Engineer
  • Azure Cloud Security Architect

What Jobs Are There?

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Cloud computing knowledge is a valuable asset in today's job market, and knowing Microsoft Azure can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities.

You don't have to be a traditional "cloud engineer" to leverage your Azure skills, as they're also in demand for roles like software engineer, data scientist, and cybersecurity specialist.

Azure is a popular platform, and those who are certified in it are usually in high demand among enterprises for jobs in cloud application development and managing cloud infrastructures.

Some typical jobs that use Microsoft Azure include roles in data analysis, cloud computing engineering, cloud systems integration, and DevOps engineering.

As a cloud professional, you can also consider becoming an Azure solutions architect or working in data engineering roles.

Benefits of Certification

Getting certified as an Azure Cloud Engineer can open doors to new career opportunities and increase your earning potential. Microsoft has been making smart moves to ease organizations into the cloud, creating a great opportunity to put your Azure skills to use.

Credit: youtube.com, How I Passed Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) And Landed A Cloud Engineer Job

Azure certifications are a great choice for those looking to move into a high-paying cloud career. You can obtain all the Azure certs remotely, meaning you can get certified while working from home.

Having an Azure certification can bring value to your employer and your career. Microsoft claims that around 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Azure, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Azure offers one cool bonus: certification renewal and expiration changes that make Azure certs free to renew indefinitely. This move makes Azure's certification renewal option arguably the best out there.

Businesses are continuing to adopt Azure as Microsoft pushes hard into the enterprise space. This means there's a growing demand for skilled Azure professionals like yourself.

Learning and Training Options

If you're looking to become a certified Azure Cloud Engineer, there are several learning and training options available to you. You can choose from instructor-led courses or online courses that can be completed at your own pace.

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Edureka's Azure Administrator certification training, for example, is a comprehensive course that covers topics such as Storage, Virtual Machines, Cloud Services, and Azure Active Directory. The course consists of 11 modules, 33 hours of training, and 11 skills to be mastered.

You can also take online courses about Microsoft Azure, which will give you a core understanding of how cloud platforms operate, from learning the basics of scale storage to understanding key aspects of remote access.

In addition to these courses, Edureka also offers an Azure Solutions Architect Certification Course (AZ-305) that will help you develop the skills to design identity and governance solutions, data storage solutions, and business continuity solutions.

The benefits of taking an online Microsoft Azure course include a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Microsoft Azure skills. You can choose from a wide range of Microsoft Azure courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

If you're new to Azure, it's worth noting that the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform offers a huge range of cloud-based services and applications that provide users with access to astounding computing power and innovative technological developments.

Here are some key features of Edureka's Azure training courses:

  • Instructor-led courses
  • Online courses with a wide range of skill levels
  • Comprehensive training with hands-on experience
  • Lifetime access to course materials

Azure Cloud Engineer Roles and Specialties

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Azure offers a range of cloud engineer roles and specialties, each requiring specific skills and expertise. These roles include Azure IoT Developer, Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty, Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty, Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, and DevOps Engineer Expert.

Each of these roles has its own set of requirements and prerequisites, but they all require a strong understanding of Azure services and technologies. For example, the Azure IoT Developer requires knowledge of Azure services that form an IoT solution, while the Azure Solutions Architect Expert requires an in-depth understanding of cloud infrastructure, security, storage, and more.

Here are some key roles and specialties in Azure cloud engineering:

  • Azure IoT Developer: Implement IoT solution infrastructure and security, provision and manage devices, and troubleshoot and optimize IoT solutions.
  • Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty: Migrate SAP workloads to Azure, design Azure solutions that support SAP Workloads, and optimize Azure SAP architecture performance.
  • Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty: Plan, deliver, and manage virtual desktops and remote apps on Azure.
  • Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty: Design and implement cloud-native applications that store and manage data, including data models and data distribution.
  • Azure Solutions Architect Expert: Design solutions that run on Azure, including compute, network, storage, and security.
  • DevOps Engineer Expert: Ensure the many moving pieces around DevOps in modern organizations are performing as they should using Azure tech.

Developer (AZ-204)

The Developer (AZ-204) role is a crucial part of Azure cloud engineering. This certification is for developers who want to flex their Azure skills and have at least 1-2 years' experience with development and Azure development.

The AZ-204 exam is a solid first step in Microsoft Azure certification for developers, proving you know the basics of developing apps and services for Azure. You'll need to deploy Azure Resource Manager (ARM), build Azure Managed Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster, and create Azure app services.

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To succeed in this role, you'll need to learn Azure and get up to speed on development before taking a swing at this exam. The ideal candidates have proven development experience and familiarity with Azure command-line interface, PowerShell, C#, Azure SQL, and the Azure portal.

Here are some key skills you'll need to master:

  • Deploy Azure Resource Manager (ARM)
  • Build Azure Managed Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster
  • Create Azure app services
  • Implement Azure RBAC
  • Implement IaaS with Azure
  • Develop Azure Cosmos DB solutions

Having this certification will prove you're an Azure developer capable of designing and building cloud-native apps from start to finish. It's a great way to set yourself apart from the competition and advance your career in cloud engineering.

DevOps Expert

As a cloud engineer, you might be interested in specializing in DevOps. The Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) certification is a great place to start. This certification requires either the Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate cert before taking on the DevOps Engineer Expert certification.

To become a DevOps expert, you'll need to have a deep understanding of development and infrastructure. The AZ-400 exam covers topics such as instrumentation and SRE strategies, security and compliance, source control, continuous integration, and cloud hosting infrastructure.

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A DevOps expert is essentially the conductor who ensures the many moving pieces around DevOps in modern organizations are performing as they should using Azure tech, a strategic mind, and a deep understanding of development and infrastructure. This role requires a combo of hard technical and soft people skills, making it a highly sought-after position.

Here are some key skills required to become a DevOps expert:

  • Form instrumentation and SRE strategies
  • Create a security and compliance plan
  • Manage source control
  • Define and implement continuous integration
  • Mobile DevOps strategy with Azure
  • Manage cloud hosting infrastructure
  • Capture Azure cloud feedback

With the right skills and certifications, you can become a DevOps expert and tackle the trifecta of people, processes, and tech to deliver products that meet user needs and business objectives with Azure.

Connectivity Support

Connectivity Support is a crucial aspect of Azure cloud engineering. This specialty focuses on troubleshooting and resolving complex networking issues.

The Microsoft Certified: Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty (AZ-720) certification is designed for networking superstars who can plan, implement, and maintain networking solutions, including hybrid solutions.

Troubleshooting business continuity issues, diagnosing and fixing hybrid and cloud connectivity issues, and resolving issues around Platform as a Service (PaaS) are all key areas of expertise for this certification.

Credit: youtube.com, AZ-720: Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty

To achieve this certification, candidates need to pass the Exam AZ-720: Troubleshooting Microsoft Azure Connectivity, which requires a deep understanding of advanced troubleshooting methods and tools.

The certification is an extremely valuable asset for support engineers who want to stand out and display a more senior level skillset.

Here are some key areas of focus for the AZ-720 certification:

  • Troubleshooting business continuity issues
  • Diagnosing and fixing hybrid and cloud connectivity issues
  • Resolution of issues around Platform as a Service (PaaS)
  • Authentication and control issues within hybrid and cloud solutions
  • Network troubleshooting (NSGs, Azure Firewall, latency problems, routing and traffic control, load balancing)
  • Troubleshooting VM connectivity

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a cloud engineer in Azure?

To become a cloud engineer in Azure, follow a structured path that includes gaining foundational knowledge, obtaining entry-level certification, and progressing through practical experience and advanced certifications. Start by building a strong foundation in cloud computing concepts and Microsoft Azure.

Who should take AZ-204?

Developers and IT professionals preparing for the AZ-204 exam should have experience with Azure development and its core services, including compute solutions, security, and solution optimization. This exam is ideal for those looking to demonstrate their expertise in building and managing Azure solutions.

Judith Lang

Senior Assigning Editor

Judith Lang is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for curating engaging content for readers. With a keen eye for detail, she has successfully managed a wide range of article categories, from technology and software to education and career development. Judith's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that cater to the needs of modern professionals, providing them with valuable insights and knowledge to stay ahead in their fields.

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