Top 6 DevOps Certifications in 2024

DevOps Certifications

The top DevOps certifications are essential for professionals aiming to excel in automation, cloud technologies, and software development. Imagine being responsible for optimizing and automating large-scale deployments while upholding high availability, security, and performance. These certifications validate your expertise in tools like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Kubernetes, Docker, and Terraform.

In this DevOps tutorial, I’ll explore the Top 6 DevOps Certifications, how they prepare you for real-world DevOps challenges, and why they are must-haves for advancing your career.

What is DevOps?

• DevOps is a way of working that brings together software developers and IT operations teams to build and deliver software faster.
• It focuses on teamwork, automating tasks, and improving processes so that software updates can be made more quickly and with fewer errors.
• This helps companies respond faster to customer needs.

Key Principles of DevOps

• Automation: DevOps relies a lot on automation for streamlining repetitive tasks that include code testing, integration, deployment, and infrastructure management. Automation reduces human errors and speeds up the process.
• Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery: Under Continuous Integration, all code changes are to be integrated and tested immediately, which reduces integration problems. In continuous delivery, automation of the deployment process allows rapid release to production.

• Collaboration and Communication: DevOps fosters a collaborative culture between developers and operations and sometimes even other stakeholders. From the beginning to the end of the development lifecycle-from planning through deployment-teams collaborate.
• Monitoring and Feedback: This involves the continued monitoring of systems gathering feedback for the effective working of it. This again will help in improving areas.

Importance of DevOps in Modern Software Development

• In today's fast-moving, technology-driven world, businesses need to promptly release their software to compete in the market.
• DevOps helps the organization achieve faster time-to-market, improve product quality, and meet customers' needs.
• It empowers development teams to respond swiftly to feedback, fix bugs, and continue rolling out updates or new features.
• By automating most of the processes and bridging gaps in team communications, DevOps decreases bottlenecks in the development process, reduces errors, and ensures the developed software is reliable and scalable.

Best DevOps Certifications in India to Pursue

Earning a DevOps certification will help you advance your career by confirming your ability to automate, manage, and improve software development processes. These certifications demonstrate your knowledge of DevOps technologies and techniques, making you an invaluable asset to firms trying to improve their software delivery pipelines.

Now, let's explore them one by one.

1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

• This certification given through Amazon Web Services enables you to prove your competency by provisioning, operating, and managing distributed applications on the AWS platform.
• The exam will cover automation, Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment, monitoring, and security within AWS environments.
• This is good for those working within cloud-heavy organizations or with AWS infrastructure.
• Cost: USD: $300 / INR: ₹24,900
• Duration: Approximately 2-3 months of preparation

2. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert

• The certification is focused on Azure DevOps practices and tools, such as continuous integration, infrastructure as code, and monitoring.
• If an organization is using Microsoft Azure, this could be a very nice certification for developing its skills and career prospects.
• Cost: USD: $165 / INR: ₹13,800
• Duration: Approximately 1-2 months of preparation

3. Google Professional DevOps Engineer

• Google Cloud provides this credential as a professional DevOps engineer for the Google Cloud Platform.
• It includes everything from CI/CD pipelines and Kubernetes to automated testing and deployment.
• It is targeted at those working in GCP environments or who are planning to specialize in Google Cloud services.
• Cost: USD: $200 / INR: ₹16,600
• Duration: Approximately 2-3 months of preparation

4. Docker Certified Associate (DCA)

• Docker is almost everywhere in the DevOps environment for containerization.
• This certification becomes a perfect solution for developers, system administrators, and DevOps engineers who would like to confirm their experience with Docker and container orchestration.
• Topics included in the exam are creating containers, orchestration, security, and image management.
• Cost: USD: $195 / INR: ₹16,200
• Duration: Approximately 1-2 months of preparation

5. Certified Kubernetes Administrator - CKA

• Kubernetes has quickly become a competency standard for running containers at scale.
• The CKA examination is best suited for any individual who wants to specialize in the management of Kubernetes clusters, application deployment, and orchestration.
• Cost: USD: $395 / INR: ₹32,800
• Duration: Approximately 2-3 months of preparation

6. Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation

• Ansible is an open-source automation tool that simplifies the creation and execution of IT processes such as configuration management and application deployment.
• This, in essence, proves that you will be able to automate and manage infrastructures with Ansible, which is commonly used in DevOps workflows.
• Cost: USD: $400 / INR: ₹33,300
• Duration: Approximately 2-3 months of preparation

7. ScholarHat DevOps Certification Training

• ScholarHat has developed one of the popular DevOps Engineer with Azure Certification Training Program that covers the tools, methodologies, and best practices needed.
• The main reason this certification exists is that it may provide practical experience with popular DevOps tools.
• Hence, it is considered ideal by DevOps certification for beginners and professionals alike.
• Cost: USD: $600 / INR: ₹49,800 (approx.)
• Duration: Approximately 3-4 months of preparation

These are the best DevOps certifications that I explored here.Now, we will look at how to choose the right certification for your career.

Why Pursue a DevOps Certification in 2024?

Growing Demand for DevOps Skills

• With more organizations embracing cloud technologies, automation, and an Agile method of development, the demand for DevOps skills is growing at a pace never seen before.
• DevOps-related jobs, including DevOps Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, and Automation Architect, have gained increasing demand in most industries.
• Professionals certified in DevOps are adequately competent to support companies in smoothing software delivery pipelines, reducing operational downtime, and enhancing efficiencies.
• This certification will make you more attractive to employers seeking knowledgeable professionals in this particular field.

Validation of Skill and Knowledge

• DevOps certification is an indication that your technical skills and conceptual knowledge in DevOps are really valid.
• The proof of such skills assures the potential employer and peers of your capability to handle CI/CD pipelines, automation of infrastructure, and system reliability engineering.
• Be it a fresher in DevOps or an experienced professional willing to develop, the certification lends credibility and proves your dedication to keeping updated with the best practices in your industry.

Career Advancement and Salary Boost

• The certifications in DevOps are very likely to yield highly lucrative salary increases and facilitate job promotion.
• Most of the certified people will always be regarded as better candidates for leadership or higher positions within organizations.
• Thus, with the growing demand for DevOps ability, the certified ones find themselves commanding better salaries than their non-certified peers.
• Having a recognized certification, like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer, will give you an edge in the competitive job market.
• The best choice is to take Scholarhat'sAzure DevOps Training | Azure DevOps Certification Course to boost your career growth.

Industry Recognition

• Many leading organizations, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and IBM, recognize and prefer to hire professionals with DevOps certifications.
• Your distinction in the competition and accelerating pace for cloud computing, e-commerce, and enterprise IT depend on these certificates from top providers.

How to Choose the Right DevOps Certification for Your Career

Identify Your Career Goals

• Begin by determining your long-term career goals.
• If you want to work with specific cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, choose certifications focused on those environments.
• If you are more into automation or containerization, then Docker or Kubernetes certification would be more aligned with your goals.

Assess the Tools You Use

• Think about the tools and technologies you are working on or will work on.
• For example, because many are already using Docker and/or Kubernetes, getting them certified on those tools will help cement their experience.

Complexity of Certification

• Some of those initial certifications are entry-level, such as Docker Certified Associate, whereas other certifications target already experienced practitioners, such as AWS DevOps Engineer Professional.
• Be sure to select a certification that best aligns with your level of skill.

Industry and Role Considerations

• Be aware of which particular vertical you are currently in.
• The certifications in Ansible or Kubernetes would be best if you are working automation-centric, whereas AWS or Azure would be most valuable in operating tech or finance industries where cloud computing is dominant.

The Benefits of Getting DevOps Certified

Better Career Opportunities

• DevOps professionals are in demand, and certification opens up a wider range of job opportunities.
• Whether you're looking for a job or want to get promoted in your company, certification will give you an edge over others.

Higher Earning Potential

• Certified professionals tend to earn more since employers understand the value of validated expertise.
• In this respect, certification increases your earning potential and may qualify you for a position that is highly rewarding.

Gaining Practical Knowledge

• Most of the DevOps certifications require hands-on experience, meaning that not only will you learn theoretical concepts but practical skills that can be applied in real situations.

Gaining Confidence and Credibility

• Certification provides one with the confidence to handle some of the complex tasks related to automation, continuous integration and continuous deployment, and managing infrastructure.
• Also, for the employers and peers, it would enhance your credibility by proving your standards, which the certification provider has checked and verified.

DevOps Certification Exam Preparation: Tips and Resources

Study the Certification Syllabus

• Commence your preparations by studying the officially available syllabus for the certification that you aspire to get.
• Knowledge of the topics and areas likely to be covered in the exam helps you concentrate your efforts on the most relevant subjects.

Avail Online Training Resources

• In fact, there are a great number of resources online, from video courses on platforms like Udemy and Coursera to very detailed certification training programs.
• For example, ScholarHat provides training classes for various DevOps certifications.

Practical Practice

• Theoretical knowledge alone will not be enough to pass most of the DevOps-based exams.
• Create a lab to gain practical experience working with tools such as Docker, Jenkins, Kubernetes, and Ansible.
• The hands-on experience will help you firm up what you will have learned.

Practice Exams

• Take mock exams to gauge your knowledge and see what you need to study more.
• Most certification providers give sample exams to get used to, and there are third-party sites providing mock tests for preparation.

Join Communities

• DevOps has an active community of professionals who will never say no to helping someone in need.
• Be part of the forums, LinkedIn groups, or any kind of DevOps meetups that keep you updated about the latest trends, reply to your questions or share knowledge with the world of DevOps.

What to Expect After Getting DevOps Certified

Career Advancement Opportunities

• DevOps certification can provide a person with promotions or changing responsibilities.
• Be it as a senior engineer or leading a DevOps team, when combined with certification, you will have all the qualifications to make the next step.

Higher Level Certifications

• Higher-level certifications involve moving ahead with more advanced certifications once one has earned an entry-level certification.
• These certifications take a deeper look at the automation tooling, processes involved in CI/CD, and management of the cloud infrastructure to further specialize you.

Continuous Learning

• Continuously learning is quintessential as DevOps is fast-evolving.
• This may mean keeping up to date with new tools, methodologies, and practices that are coming up after your certification.
• Most of these certification programs are cursory; one needs to re-certify or go for continuing education in order to keep up to date.

Networking with Other DevOps Professionals

• Similarly, you can participate in different industry events, conferences, online groups, and especially in DevOps conferences, where you can build a network that may lead to great opportunities.
• You will get different perspectives and insights on the industry from people among whom you will have networked with certified professionals.

DevOps Certification and Its Impact on Different Industries

DevOps in Cloud Computing

• Originally, cloud computing and DevOps go hand in hand.
• Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud use DevOps for efficient infrastructure management, scaling, and deployment automation.
• These cloud platforms line up as a strong added advantage to organizations seeking to add steam to cloud operations.

DevOps in Enterprise IT

• Large enterprises use DevOps to optimize their IT infrastructure, reduce costs, and improve software delivery cycles.
• Certified DevOps professionals help enterprises automate workflows, monitor performance, and integrate development and operations teams.

DevOps in Startups and SMEs

• Startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises benefit from DevOps through increased agility.
• With a small staff, there is a need for increased automation and better collaboration between development and operations.
• The Certified DevOps professional will go a long way in assisting the start-up to realize leaner processes that will scale the growth.

Cost and Time Investment of DevOps Certifications

Cost of Certification

• Generally, the Cost of a DevOps certification ranges from $200 to $500.
• DevOps certification cost in India ranges from ₹16,000 to ₹40,000, depending on the specific certification.
• Advanced DevOps certification lists such as AWS or Azure DevOps Engineer Expert may cost more.
• Apart from the examination fees, one may also need to spend money on training programs or study materials.

Time Commitment

• Preparing for a DevOps certification typically requires two to three months of prior dedicated studies and practice, depending on your background and familiarity with the involved tools.
• Advanced certifications may require even more time to master.

Is It Worth the Investment?

• In most cases, DevOps certification pays off with career growth, job opportunities, and better salaries.
• If you're serious about your career in DevOps, then certification is a good investment for your future.

Conclusion: Is a DevOps Certification Worth It in 2024?

• In 2024, acquiring a DevOps certification will be one prudent career decision.
• Be it enhancing your present skills, shifting to some other role, or moving upward to leadership positions, the DevOps certification provides that needed validation and confidence.
• Also, being on top of the trends in the industry and proving your expertise in automation, CI/CD, and cloud technologies will keep you competitive in this fast-changing field environment.
• DevOps Certification can open a whole new stream of opportunities for work, increasing your salary by providing you with practical skills that will help the organization and your career for many years.

Summary

The Top DevOps certifications in 2024, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, are important for learning automation, cloud technologies, and software development. These certificates confirm abilities in tools such as Kubernetes, Docker, and Terraform, which boosts career advancement, pay potential, and market credibility. With the growing demand for DevOps skills, certification prepares individuals to face real-world issues in software delivery, automation, and infrastructure management. To master DevOps, join Scholarhat's DevOps Engineer with Azure Certification Training Program.

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