What Is a Cloud Architect?
The cloud architect role has become a trendy title in the technology industry. People often repeat the buzzy phrase and job title, but they might not know what it entails.
We break down everything you might want to know about the cloud architect role: how to become a cloud architect, the skills required to be a cloud architect, cloud architect certifications and more.
What is a cloud architect?
Cloud architecture refers to the various components that form a cloud computing system, including how different technologies work together so that numerous computers can share resources from a single network.
A cloud architect is responsible for conceptualizing and developing cloud architecture. They are responsible for converting the technical concepts and requirements for a project into a working cloud system. Cloud architects have a critical role, as failure in a company’s cloud system can affect many aspects of a business.
How to become a cloud architect
Cloud architects must be well versed in computer programming. These are the skills required to become a cloud architect:
- Coding: The most common coding languages used in cloud architecture are Java, Python and C++, but many more.
- Computer networking: A good cloud architect must know how to work on computer networks. You should know how to use a content delivery network for geographic distribution or a virtual private cloud to isolate parts of your cloud network.
- Security: Security is essential to any cloud network. Every cloud architect must implement advanced security measures to protect their enterprise.
- Database: Every cloud architect must know how to work with different database technologies. Many data storage options are available, but you might want to consider Amazon S3 for object storage or Hadoop clusters to analyze large amounts of structured data.
- Platform: Cloud architects might want to be familiar with the MQL5 Cloud Network, a specialized distributed network for the finance industry, or general cloud platforms.
Is it worth it to get a cloud architect certification?
Professional certificates are the easiest way to show domain expertise to a prospective employer. Some of the most popular cloud architect certifications include:
- Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect
- Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Google Professional Cloud Architect certification for the Google Cloud Platform
Is the Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect certification worth it?
Amazon Web Services is the world’s biggest cloud computing provider by volume and sales. There are currently 11 certificates covering both generalist and specialty cloud topics.
There are four certificate tiers: foundational, associate, professional and specialty certifications.
- Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect foundational certification covers six months of Amazon Web Services knowledge.
- Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect associate certification covers one year of Amazon Web Services knowledge.
- Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect professional certification covers two years of Amazon Web Services knowledge.
- Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect specialty certification is not time-specific.
Is the Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification worth it?
Microsoft Azure is the second-largest cloud provider after Amazon Web Services.
Microsoft offers 12 cloud certifications with 14 exams classified into three levels: fundamental, associate and expert certifications.
Some Microsoft cloud architect certifications are role-based, including Azure administrator, Azure solution architect, Azure AI engineer and more.
Is the Google Professional Cloud Architect certification for the Google Cloud Platform worth it?
Google Cloud Platform is the third most popular cloud provider. Google offers 10 role-based certifications, including a certification program for cloud architects.
The Google Cloud Platform cloud architect certification takes you through the fundamentals of the Google Cloud Platform, including Kubernetes, BigQuery, App Engine and Cloud Firestore. It’ll give you the chance to build and deploy solutions in live Google Cloud Platform environments.
The bottom line
Enterprise spending on cloud computing is increasing, which is good news for current or potential cloud architects. A cloud architect certification from a leading cloud provider and existing programming or engineering skills can open many opportunities.
This article was written by Mikhail Kirilin for HackerNoon and was lightly edited and published with permission.