Cloud computing has been around for less than two decades and it's become key for modern day business operations. With its increased popularity and depth of features, more businesses are moving from on-premises data centres and servers to the cloud.
Though it has been consistently growing, COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in the adoption of it. These demands are driving the need for cloud-enabled Skyping tools and collaboration products, like Google Docs. It has also opened up a flourishing career in cloud computing for aspiring individuals.
Cloud computing facilitates businesses to access software applications, data storage and other services over the internet as opposed to the traditional physical servers in a back office.
One of the benefits of cloud computing is pay-per-use pricing, which allows you to only pay for resources used rather than a subscription price.
Here are some of the key skills you will need to build a successful career in cloud computing:
1. Cloud service platform expertise
IBM, Dell, Oracle, and Alibaba are all in the cloud platform market. However, Amazon, Microsoft and Google lead these platforms with their products. A Graduate Certificate in Cloud Software Development will give you a well-rounded idea of all 3 major vendors.
2. Working knowledge of programing languages
Cloud architectures and administrators will also have to write code from time to time. There are languages better suited for cloud-based software such as Java, JavaScript, Python, and Go.
In addition, knowledge of SQL, NoSQL, and Linux is needed when writing database programming. Programming is a key skill for cloud computing beginners to understand and be able to execute, as the work in this field depends on programming languages.
3. Application programming interfaces (APIs)
APIs are used in many modern applications for data exchange that would not otherwise be possible. These programs allow workloads, such as cloud computing, to interact seamlessly with other services.
Cloud professionals need to know how to code the APIs and links needed for integrating various workloads into the cloud. This is one of the most important skills needed for cloud computing.
4. Database administration and management
A cloud database is an application service that has a high degree of scalability and availability, which means that companies can have the advantages of managed offerings.
The major cloud providers all have multiple types of database services, including relational database, NoSQL, graph database and data warehouse offerings. Aspiring professionals must understand the different database types and how they work in order to create effective software.
5. Learn different types of Network Management
With multiple cloud services interacting with one another, network management is a critical cloud engineering skill for cloud computing engineers. As with databases, different networks are suitable for different cloud services.
Cloud network engineers need to be able to configure the networks between cloud services so that they don't interfere with one another. For example, financial reports wouldn't work well with videoconferencing. This skill is becoming more important for a career in cloud computing as more employees telecommute due to COVID-19.
6. Machine Learning and AI
Cloud computing professionals should be knowledgeable about AI and machine learning skills. In cloud environments, most activity takes place without a high degree of human interaction, so it is important to have these cloud computing skills. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are the most valuable technology skills right now.
All the major public cloud platforms provide some form of AI and machine learning services. These tools can help you build new capabilities.
7. Cloud Security
Security is necessary in any environment where data or resources are accessible.
Security and cloud management are crucial for companies with relevant industry knowledge to keep their customer data secure. One needs to develop multiple technical skills required for cloud computing to enjoy the journey in a cloud computing career path.
The negative effect of the loss or breach of personal customer data or proprietary company intellectual property can be devastating for businesses from both a reputational and financial perspective.
Due to the increased flow of cloud computing technologies, and the high demand for cyber security experts, the necessity to bridge this gap is high.
8. Choosing the right services
Each cloud computing platform has its own set of strengths. For example, Amazon is an infrastructure leader and Microsoft is known for software. However, to evaluate which platform is best for your situation, you need to do research and know your options. It will help better your chances at finding the right cloud computing job opportunities.
9. Adapting to new roles and technologies
When cloud computing came to the table, IT professionals needed to shift from having one specialty to being flexible with four roles. The old model was an onsite data centre that has a system administrator, network engineer, security analyst, and storage engineer. Now with the cloud, data centres need someone who can be responsible for all four of those areas and new technological advances as well.
10. Automate key tasks
Automating tasks can be an organization's best weapon in the war on human error. For example, if there is a task that requires input from multiple individuals, and someone makes an error, automation can prevent any problems before they arise. As such, programming this automation requires knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning, as understanding the specific systems that interact with or depend upon one another is imperative.
11. Designing distributed systems
Building a new computer system from scratch is less about creating the system and more about putting together existing systems. We need to predict how well the system will work, monitor it, and compare different systems, in case they were using Amazon or Google.
12. Managing Change
In order to protect against possible problems when updating a company's cloud environment, it's important to have plans and a back- up option. These can be based on more traditional methods of migrating data or connecting to the internet (like setting up a network connection). The updates made for an onsite change in networking should work in the cloud as well. This is a crucial skill for cloud computing career opportunities. Growing with the changes helps adapt and manage the technology well.
13. Measuring and Analysis
Employers are looking for people who can analyse metrics and find creative ways to ensure certain needs in the long run. For example, a network engineer is tasked with evaluating cloud-based communication services and how they will be used long-term. Monitoring performance of third-party cloud service providers is one of the most important cloud computing skills that employers want, as measures like ensuring your money's worth out of others' contracts.
14. Estimating cost and workload
Since deployment of any new system or process will involve financial investment, organizations should be mindful of the cost of potential coverage and features that are created, misplaced, and created again. With appropriate attention to these key factors, an organization can keep their costs down.
This is a necessary skill required for cloud computing to provide their organization with valuable technology at reasonable costs. Improving the understanding of cost estimation and workload will help with various cloud computing job opportunities.
15. Communication
Soft skills such as communication and decision-making are valuable while working in the cloud computing industry. Internal stakeholders will turn to you for advice as they evaluate cloud platforms for their departments, so it's important that you can clearly explain the pros and cons of each option.
Cloud engineering skills possessed by the cloud computing engineer who works in customer-driven industries such as retail or travel should also be comfortable communicating with vendors directly to negotiate new service contracts.
How to gain cloud computing skills
There are numerous resources to learn cloud computing. But along with that, you will also need to learn the core programming concepts and languages that are essential for building web and mobile applications for the cloud. The Hero Vired Advanced Certificate Program in Full Stack Development with MERN and Cloud Computing is an excellent program for anyone to build a successful career in the domain of software and technology.
The program is offered in partnership with edX and from Harvard University. The program explores all the key aspects of Full Stack Development. You will learn coding, collaborating, testing, and deployment on the Cloud, with a focus on design for full functioning and scalability.
The program includes 50+ live online sessions with the highly skilled and industry exprieneced faculty, along with 15+ industry projects and case studies. You will learn all the necessary skills needed to build applications end-to-end.
The compelling aspect of this job-focused program that includes assured placements post the completion of the program is the opportunity to work on new and interesting projects with faculty members who have experience solving real-world cloud computing business problems. Mentors will help you develop your skills required for cloud computing for an industry that is constantly changing and growing.
