Top 10 Cloud Engineer Skills to be a Cloud Engineer

Cloud computing has essentially taken over how businesses store data, run applications, and manage their IT infrastructure. Companies are now trying not to put a hole in their pockets by not purchasing expensive hardware but using cloud services from AWS, Microsoft Azure, and GCP.

The demand for skilled cloud engineers, who basically design, maintain, and secure cloud-based systems, is higher. They help the business run more efficiently and scale faster while keeping costs low.

As per a report, the public cloud services market in India may surpass $13 billion by 2026. Many companies are looking for professionals who would be able to manage cloud infrastructure, optimise costs, and provide security. This makes it one of the best times to build your cloud engineer skills.

What is Cloud Engineering?

Cloud engineering is basically the conception, building, and care of everything that has to do with cloud-based systems – how to deploy an application, manage security and optimise the cloud infrastructure so that it works fluently.

Most businesses no longer rely on traditional servers. They use the cloud to store data, run AI models, and support remote teams. This shift has made cloud engineering one of the most valuable skills in IT today.

Why Do Businesses Need Cloud Engineers?

Cost Efficiency

• Reduces the need for expensive physical servers.

Scalability

• Allows businesses to increase or decrease resources as needed.

Security

• Ensures data protection and compliance with global regulations.

Remote Access

• Supports global workforces with cloud-based collaboration tools.

Now, let’s quickly move forward and discuss the top 10 cloud engineer skills that one should learn.

Top 10 Cloud Engineer Skills

1. Proficiency in Linux Operating System
2. Programming Languages
3. Networking Fundamentals and Internet Protocols
4. Virtualisation Technologies
5. Proficiency with Multiple Cloud Platforms
6. Security and Disaster Recovery Strategies
7. Web Services and API Knowledge
8. DevOps and Containerisation Tools
9. Automation and Infrastructure as Code
10. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Pipelines

Most cloud platforms run on Linux. Anyone looking to build cloud engineer skills must be comfortable with Linux commands, scripting, and system administration.

Why Linux is Important for Cloud Engineers

Cloud Servers Depend on Linux

• AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud use Linux-based virtual machines.

Security and Stability

• Linux is known for better security and fewer system crashes.

Automation with Shell Scripting

• Cloud engineers use Bash and Python scripts to automate tasks.

Containerisation and DevOps

• Tools like Docker and Kubernetes work seamlessly with Linux.

Essential Linux Skills for Cloud Engineers

A cloud engineer should know the following:

Command-Line Operations

• Navigating directories, managing files, and modifying permissions.

Networking Commands

• Using netstat, ipconfig, and ping to troubleshoot network issues.

Process Management

• Monitoring and managing tasks using ps, top, and kill.

User and Permission Management

• Creating users, setting permissions, and handling security.

Shell Scripting

• Automating tasks using Bash scripts.

Programming Languages

Cloud engineers don’t need to be expert developers, but they must know programming for automation, scripting, and cloud application management.

Programming Languages for Cloud Engineers

Why is Programming Important in Cloud Engineering?

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• Automating cloud deployments using Terraform or Ansible.

Cloud Automation

• Writing scripts to auto-scale resources in AWS or Azure.

Application Development

• Running serverless applications on AWS Lambda or Azure Functions.

Networking Fundamentals and Internet Protocols

Cloud engineers must understand networking because cloud environments depend on virtual networks, firewalls, and secure connections.

Key Networking Concepts

Essential Networking Protocols

Cloud engineers work with:

TCP/IP

• The foundation of internet and cloud communication.

HTTP/HTTPS

• Used for web applications and APIs.

DNS

• Resolves domain names to IP addresses.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

• Encrypts data for secure remote access.

Virtualisation Technologies

Virtualisation allows cloud engineers to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server. This helps businesses save costs and increase efficiency.

Types of Virtualisation Used in Cloud Engineering

Server Virtualisation

• Running multiple servers on a single machine.

Storage Virtualisation

• Pooling storage from multiple devices into one system.

Network Virtualisation

• Creating multiple virtual networks on a single physical network.

Popular Virtualisation Tools

Proficiency with Multiple Cloud Platforms

Cloud service providers offer ready-to-use infrastructure that businesses use to host applications, store data, and run AI models.

• Different providers offer unique features suited for different business needs.
• Many companies use multi-cloud strategies, combining AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Cloud engineers with multi-platform expertise have better job opportunities.

Security and Disaster Recovery Strategies

Security threats and system failures can bring businesses to a halt. Cloud engineers must ensure that cloud environments remain secure and recoverable after unexpected incidents.

Why Cloud Security is Critical

Data breaches are costly

• Companies lose money and customer trust.

Compliance requirements are strict

• Industries like banking and healthcare must follow security laws.

Downtime affects revenue

• Every minute of service disruption results in financial loss.

Essential Security Measures for Cloud Engineers

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

• Controls user access with role-based permissions.

Encryption

• Protects data at rest and in transit using AES-256 encryption.

Firewall and Security Groups

• Filters traffic to prevent unauthorised access.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Adds an extra layer of login security.

Continuous Monitoring

• Detects security threats in real-time using tools like AWS GuardDuty.

Disaster Recovery Strategies for Cloud Systems

Automated Backups

• Stores data copies in multiple locations.

Failover Mechanisms

• Switches to a backup system if the main system fails.

Geographical Redundancy

• Uses data centres in different locations to prevent total system failure.

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

• Third-party solutions that restore services after a failure.

Web Services and API Knowledge

Web services and APIs connect different cloud applications, allowing them to communicate and share data.

Why APIs are Essential for Cloud Engineers

Enable cloud automation

• APIs automate cloud management tasks.

Support integrations

• Cloud applications must work with third-party tools.

Allow microservices architecture

• Modern apps use APIs to connect small, independent services.

Common Web Services and API Technologies

DevOps and Containerisation Tools

DevOps bridges software development and IT operations, improving the way cloud applications are built and deployed.

DevOps is important in cloud engineering for several reasons, including but not limited to:

Accelerates software delivery

• Reduces the time between development and deployment.

Improves reliability

• Automates cloud infrastructure management.

Enhances scalability

• Makes it easier to handle high-traffic loads.

Essential DevOps Tools for Cloud Engineers

Containerisation in Cloud Environments

Containers package applications with all their dependencies, ensuring they run the same way in any cloud environment.

• Docker simplifies application deployment by isolating dependencies.
• Kubernetes automates container orchestration, managing scaling and failures.

Automation and Infrastructure as Code

Manually managing cloud infrastructure is time-consuming and error-prone. Automation helps cloud engineers build, deploy, and manage cloud systems efficiently.

Automation: A Key Cloud Engineer Skill

Automation is a key cloud engineer skill for various reasons:

Speeds up deployments

• Infrastructure can be set up in minutes.

Reduces errors

• Scripts prevent manual mistakes.

Improves scalability

• Cloud resources adjust automatically.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) in Cloud Computing

IaC allows engineers to define cloud infrastructure using code, making deployments repeatable and error-free.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Pipelines

Cloud applications need frequent updates to fix bugs and add new features. CI/CD pipelines automate software development, testing, and deployment.

Why CI/CD Matters in Cloud Engineering

Faster software releases

• Reduces deployment time from weeks to hours.

Fewer errors

• Automated testing ensures code quality.

Seamless rollbacks

• Quickly revert to a previous version if something goes wrong.

CI/CD Pipeline Process

1. Developers write code and push it to a repository (GitHub, GitLab).
2. CI tools (Jenkins, GitHub Actions) test the code automatically.
3. The application is deployed to a staging environment for final checks.
4. The software is released to production if tests pass.

Popular CI/CD Tools

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Cloud Engineer for Beginners

Cloud engineering is a high-paying career, but breaking into the field requires the right skills and knowledge. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

1. Learn the Basics of Cloud Computing

• Understand how cloud platforms work and the benefits they offer.
• Explore AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Study virtualisation, networking, and security principles.

2. Gain Proficiency in Linux

• Cloud servers run on Linux, so learning it is essential.
• Practise command-line operations, scripting, and file management.

3. Master a Programming Language

• Python, Java, and Golang are commonly used in cloud automation.
• Learn SQL for managing cloud databases.

4. Get Hands-On Experience

• Use AWS Free Tier or GCP Free Tier to practise cloud deployments.
• Work on real-world cloud projects and build a portfolio.

5. Earn Industry-Recognised Certifications

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
• Google Associate Cloud Engineer

6. Apply for Cloud Engineer Roles

• Start with internships or entry-level IT roles.
• Gain experience in DevOps, cloud security, or automation.

Key Responsibilities of a Cloud Engineer in Various Job Roles

Cloud engineering is not a single job title. It covers multiple roles, each focusing on different aspects of cloud technology.

Each role has its own specific set of cloud engineer skills required, although all cloud specialists are expected to have a great foundation in cloud platforms, networking, and security.

Daily Tasks of a Cloud Engineer:

• Deploying applications on cloud platforms.
• Configuring security settings to protect data.
• Monitoring cloud resources and optimising performance.
• Automating cloud infrastructure using tools like Terraform and Ansible.
• Troubleshooting cloud-related issues to prevent downtime.

Conclusion

Cloud computing has changed the way organisations conduct their business. Therefore, cloud engineer skills are now important in IT professions. Learning the top 10 cloud engineer skills will open up many opportunities for new and exciting work with the latest cloud technologies.

The Postgraduate Program in Cloud Computing & DevOps Engineering offered by Hero Vired enables you to gain knowledge of essential cloud engineer skills aligned with industry-level expertise. The course includes high-standard learning, hands-on practice, projects from real-world scenarios and mentorship from experts. Joining this course will fast-track your learning and lay a good foundation for a successful career in the cloud engineering field.