DevOps Certifications

 
 

What Are DevOps Certifications?


DevOps certifications are formal recognitions awarded to individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in the principles and practices of DevOps. DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops), aiming to shorten the systems development life cycle and provide continuous delivery with high software quality. These certifications are offered by various organizations and technology companies. Let's explore them in detail:

What DevOps Certifications Do:

  1. Validate Skills and Knowledge: DevOps certifications validate a professional's ability to effectively integrate development and operations. This includes automating processes, improving collaboration, and enhancing deployment frequencies.

  2. Career Advancement: For professionals in software development and IT operations, these certifications can open doors to new career opportunities, potentially leading to promotions and higher salaries. DevOps is a high-demand field, and certified professionals are often preferred by employers.

  3. Standardization of Expertise: DevOps certifications provide a standardized benchmark of skills and knowledge, which is beneficial for ensuring the quality and efficiency of DevOps practices within organizations.

  4. Professional Development: Obtaining these certifications requires staying current with best practices and emerging tools in the field of DevOps, contributing to ongoing professional growth.

  5. Credibility and Recognition: Holding a DevOps certification can enhance a professional's credibility, demonstrating a commitment to the evolving field of software development and operations.

Why They Are Useful:

  1. Increasing Demand for DevOps Practices: With more organizations adopting DevOps practices for their software development and operations, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals. Certifications in this field help meet this demand.

  2. Enhancing Collaboration and Productivity: DevOps principles focus on improving collaboration between developers and operations teams, which is vital for the rapid and reliable delivery of software. Certified professionals can effectively implement these principles, enhancing team productivity and operational efficiency.

  3. Staying Competitive: In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, staying current with the latest DevOps tools and methodologies is crucial. These certifications ensure that professionals are up-to-date with industry standards and practices.

  4. Fulfilling Organizational Needs: Certified DevOps professionals are well-equipped to help organizations automate and streamline their operations, reduce deployment times, and improve overall software quality, aligning with business goals.

Popular DevOps Certifications:

  • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer: Focused on automating the testing and deployment of AWS infrastructure and applications.

  • Docker Certified Associate: Validates skills with Docker containerization technology.

  • Kubernetes Certification: Including Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), focusing on container orchestration.

  • Puppet Professional Certification: For expertise in managing servers and infrastructure using Puppet.

  • Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert: Validates skills in bringing together people, processes, and technologies for continuously delivering valuable products and services.

  • Red Hat Certified Engineer in DevOps: A certification that validates the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to create and maintain automated systems.

In summary, DevOps certifications are highly beneficial for professionals seeking to validate their skills in this progressive field. They are useful for advancing careers, staying competitive, and effectively contributing to organizational objectives in software development and IT operations. As the demand for efficient and collaborative development and operational practices grows, these certifications become increasingly valuable.

What Kind of DevOps Certifications Are There?

There is a wide range of DevOps certifications that demonstrate knowledge of version control system, cloud services, collaboration and communication, version control systems, and more. These certifications cover a variety of topics, including routing and switching, security, wireless, and collaboration. Some important DevOps certifications include:

  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

  • Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)

  • Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)

  • HashiCorp Certified Terraform Associate

  • Kubernetes and Cloud-Native Associate (KCNA)

  • Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)

  • AWS Cloud & DevOps Certifications

  • Azure Cloud & DevOps Certifications

  • Google Cloud & DevOps Certifications

  • Istio Certified Associate (ICA)

  • Certified Jenkins Engineer (CJE)

  • Docker Certified Associate (DCA)

  • HashiCorp Certified: Vault Associate

  • HashiCorp Certified: Vault Operations Professional

  • HashiCorp Certified: Consul Associate

  • Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (Ansible Certification)

  • Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration (EX280)

  • FinOps Certified Practitioner (FOCP)

  • Prometheus Certified Associate (PCA)

  • Become a Cloud DevOps Engineer:

  • GitOps Certification with Argo

  • Certified Calico Operator: Level 1

  • Intermediate for Istio

  • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional

  • Puppet Certified Professional

  • Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert

  • Architecting with Google Cloud Platform

  • Google Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer

  • DevOps Foundation (DOFD)

  • The Linux Foundation Professional Certificate in Introduction to DevOps:

  • AnahuacX Professional Certificate in DevOps Foundations:

  • Certificate in DevOps from York University

  • LinkedIn Learning DevOps Course

  • MIT Cloud & DevOps: Continuous Transformation

  • DevOps Institute DevOps Leader Course

  • CloudBees CD/RO Admin Associate Certification

  • DevOps University DevOps Professional Certification

  • Essential Google Cloud Infrastructure: Foundation

  • Caltech DevOps Post Graduate Program

  • Learn DevOps:

  • Linux Professional Institute DevOps Tools Engineer

  • BCS Foundation Level Certificate in DevOps

  • GitLab Certified DevOps Professional

DevOps FAQs

What is DevOps for beginners?

For beginners, DevOps is an approach that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) with the goal of shortening the system development lifecycle and providing continuous delivery of high-quality software. It emphasizes collaboration, automation, integration, and communication between software developers and IT professionals to improve the speed and quality of software development and deployment.

Is DevOps easy to learn?

Learning DevOps can be challenging as it encompasses a wide range of practices, tools, and cultural philosophies. It requires a foundational understanding of both development and operations, including programming, system administration, and network management. The difficulty level varies based on one's background, but with dedication and practical experience, it is a learnable field.

What exactly does DevOps do?

DevOps professionals work to automate and integrate the processes between software development and IT teams. They focus on streamlining software development, testing, deployment, and infrastructure management processes. This includes managing code releases, automating deployment processes, monitoring and troubleshooting operational issues, and collaborating across departments to ensure fast and reliable delivery of software.

Does DevOps require coding?

While not all DevOps roles require deep coding expertise, basic programming knowledge is beneficial. DevOps practices often involve script writing for automation, understanding code for CI/CD pipelines, and working closely with development teams, making some level of coding proficiency advantageous.

What is a DevOps engineer's salary?

The salary of a DevOps engineer can vary widely based on factors like geographical location, experience level, and specific industry. Generally, DevOps engineers are among the higher-paid professionals in the tech industry, reflecting the high demand and the critical nature of their role in accelerating software delivery.

Which language is required to learn DevOps?

Common languages used in DevOps include Python, Ruby, and JavaScript. Shell scripting languages like Bash are also important for automating routine tasks. The choice of language may depend on the specific tools and environments a DevOps team is using.

Can I learn DevOps without coding knowledge?

It's possible to start learning DevOps concepts without strong coding skills, but some programming knowledge becomes essential as you delve deeper, especially for roles focused on automation and CI/CD pipelines. Understanding basic scripting and coding can significantly enhance a DevOps professional’s effectiveness.

Why is DevOps so highly paid?

DevOps professionals are highly paid due to the significant impact they have on an organization’s technical operations and bottom line. Their work in automating and improving software delivery processes leads to increased efficiency, faster time-to-market for products, and often, cost savings, making their skills highly valued.

Is a DevOps job stressful?

DevOps roles can be demanding and sometimes stressful due to the need for quick problem-solving, managing critical systems, and sometimes being on call to handle operational issues. However, stress levels can vary based on the organization, team structure, and the specific role.

Can I learn DevOps in 1 year?

With dedicated study and practical experience, it’s possible to acquire a foundational understanding of DevOps within a year. This would include learning about tools, automation practices, CI/CD, cloud services, and basic coding. Gaining proficiency, however, is an ongoing process given the rapidly evolving nature of the field.

How do I start a career in DevOps?

Starting a career in DevOps typically involves gaining foundational knowledge in software development and IT operations. This can be achieved through formal education, online courses, or self-study. Gaining practical experience through internships, entry-level IT roles, or contributing to open-source projects is also valuable. Certifications in DevOps tools and methodologies can bolster a resume.

Is SQL needed for DevOps?

Whether cybersecurity is harder than coding depends on individual aptitudes and interests. Cybersecurity encompasses a broader range of skills beyond coding, including strategic thinking, threat analysis, and understanding complex systems, which can be challenging in different ways.

What skills do you need for DevOps?

Key skills for DevOps include proficiency in automation tools, understanding of cloud platforms, coding and scripting abilities, knowledge of CI/CD methodologies, system administration, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams

Is DevOps a booming career?

DevOps is indeed a booming career, with increasing adoption across various industries. The demand for professionals skilled in streamlining software delivery processes is high, and the role of DevOps is becoming essential in achieving business agility and digital transformation.

How long does it take to become a DevOps engineer?

Becoming a proficient DevOps engineer typically takes several years of experience in IT, including time spent specifically in development, operations, or related roles. The journey involves continuous learning and adapting to new tools and practices in the ever-evolving landscape of software development and IT operations.