Introduction
Why is Cloud Computing becoming so popular?
Career options with a Cloud Computing knowledge base
Cloud Engineer Skills
Introduction
Cloud computing is a term used to explain anything that involves the delivery of hosted services over the internet. In other words, cloud computing allows the user devices to access data over the internet from remote servers and databases. In a cloud computing platform, the communication between the front end and the back end is managed by central servers, and this is done via an internet network connection that links them both (front-end with back-end). Hence, cloud infrastructure involves the hardware and software for properly implementing cloud computing models.
Some of the examples of cloud computing include the below:
- Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365- can be accessed through the internet. The user can access the spreadsheets and presentations stored in the cloud anytime and anywhere. It enhances the productivity of an individual.
- Email, Skype, and WhatsApp also allow users to access data remotely, which can be accessed from any device whenever desired.
- Zoom- is a popular tool for audio and video conferencing. The data of these meetings are saved in the cloud, enabling the users to access this data anytime.
Why is Cloud Computing becoming so popular?
Cloud computing’s popularity is increasing daily due to its distinct advantage over traditional web hosting. Below are the main advantages of rising usage and shifting to cloud computing platforms.
These are as follows:
- Managed service- cloud computing is a fully managed service, and the user requires internet access and a computer to use the cloud computing platform.
- On-demand service implies that a user can access large amounts of computing power on demand. It is sold at per hour or minute rates fixed by the cloud computing service providers.
- Elasticity- the user can have as little or as high a service as possible based on the usage or requirement at any point in time. There is a vast amount of elasticity attached to cloud computing.
Before we understand the skills required to become a cloud engineer, we must look at the types of cloud services.
The types and a brief description of cloud services are mentioned as follows:
- Infrastructure as a Service(IaaS)- is a service where enterprises rent servers for computing and storage in the cloud. The users can run any operating system or application on these rented servers without maintenance and without incurring any operational expenses for these rented servers.
- Platform as a Service(PaaS)- in this service, hardware and software tools are made available to the user over the internet by a third-party service provider. These are tools mostly needed for application deployment and are hosted on the infrastructure of the PaaS service provider.
- Software as a Service(SaaS)- is a cloud-based software model, and it is a way of delivery of applications over the internet as a service.
Career options with a Cloud Computing knowledge base
Cloud computing offers several types of career prospects. It comprises several roles: IT, management, application development, business analysis, network, security, web development, and many others. The jobs in this field are on the rise. Some of the most popular jobs are:
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Project Manager
- Cloud Architect
- Cloud Developer
- Cloud Administrator
- Cloud Consultant
- CIOs
This list of jobs is illustrative and not exhaustive.
Our primary focus in this blog is to discuss the essential skills required to become a cloud engineer. There is a surge in the hiring of cloud engineers, and tech giants like Amazon, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and others are making considerable investments in their cloud infrastructure, resulting in high demand for manpower resources from their end. The demand for cloud professionals is further expected to rise by leaps and bounds in time to come, and so would be the requirement for the jobs like those of a cloud engineer. You will work with cross-functional teams as a cloud engineer, including software, operations, and architecture. Hence, the options to choose from are many when developing skills as a cloud engineer. In the remaining blog, we will try to understand the skills required keeping the benefit of having varied options in mind. Let us focus on the essential skills needed to become a cloud engineer. We will discuss these in detail after understanding the broad skills that you must possess.
Cloud Engineer Skills
Listed below are some of the must-have skills:
- Technical skills– which include knowledge of computing and HTML.
- Financial skills and business concepts– which refer to the awareness of cloud engineers with terms like ROI, business plans, and marketing strategies.
- Data analysis– ability to handle big data and use ERP systems.
- Data security skills would mean understanding network security, encryption, authorization, and protocols.
- Project management skills-refer to the knowledge of risk management, service agreement, and other processes as applicable.
Now, let us have a look at cloud computing skills in detail one by one:
- Understanding the Linux operating system (OS)– Linux is an open-source operating system that can be used to meet business needs. The first and most crucial step in becoming a cloud engineer is to equip yourself with Linux OS. One primary reason for learning Linux is keeping in mind the fact that most organizations are turning to Linux to build technologies. Practicing Linux will help you build strong fundamentals of this OS and hence will help you as a cloud engineer. If you develop your command and strength in Linux OS, you can survive and thrive in the cloud domain with this single cloud engineering skill.
- Programming skills- learning an appropriate programming language is a must for a successful cloud engineer. Few languages should be considered for developing your proficiency, and the ones in demand include the following.
- ASP.NET- which provides solutions across web browsers and web pages. It is a must-have framework.
- SQL- for data processing, manipulation, and storage
- PHP used to automate websites with multiple functions
- XML with Java programming- for data description
- Python- traditional programming languages like python are also in demand. It is used to create, analyze, and organize large data volumes.
- Ruby- is another traditional programming language that has recently gained prominence.
- Database skills– consider investing your time in developing database skills, including knowledge of database platforms and language queries. MYSQL and Hadoop are popular in this space.
- Networking skills and Internet Protocols-It is the job of the cloud engineers to make the process easy for end-users. Networking skills can assist and take a long way in meeting this objective of network management and improving network responsiveness. Knowledge of networking and how the internet works are crucial to cloud-related roles, including the role of cloud engineer. It is imperative to learn networking fundamentals and know about virtual networks for all cloud-centric roles.
- DevOps and Containerization- DevOps, as the name suggests, combines two approaches, i.e., software development and operations. It is a skill that is in high demand. Understanding the entire development lifecycle starting from planning to implementation and maintenance, is highly beneficial for the role of a cloud engineer. Containerization means extracting applications from one another for easy deployment on the cloud. Hence, learning about containers, dockers and Kubernetes gives a good push toward becoming a cloud engineer.
- Understanding Virtualization-it refers to running software applications on virtual machines, which reduces hardware dependence and helps in being fault-tolerant. Learning virtualization is about equipping yourself with the most desirable skill in the field of the cloud.
- Security and Recovery-cloud security is one of the most challenging domains in cloud computing. It requires critical issues to be addressed, like a data breach or disaster recovery. Today’s enterprises have a tremendous amount of focus on protecting their data and applications, so cloud security is of utmost importance. This learning is a combination of cloud and cybersecurity; hence, cloud engineers must hone their skills in both these streams of study.
- API and web services-cloud infrastructure relies on APIs and web services to integrate applications on the internet. Gaining an understanding of XML, SOAP, WSDL, and other standard services will work in your favor to get a well-paid job.
- Cloud service providers-It is very important to understand the cloud service providers when venturing into the cloud computing stream. Understanding their practices concerning various services like computing, storage, database, migration, and other services is imperative. There are various cloud service providers, with the top names being AWS, Microsoft, and Google. You must spend time understanding the offerings of these players and their USPs if you are taking the career path of cloud computing.
Conclusion
Having understood the critical skills required for becoming a cloud engineer, finding and using resources to gain knowledge and expertise in this field is essential. Many resources can enable you to learn cloud and hence be helpful in your journey of becoming a cloud engineer. Cloud computing training and certification are the perfect options when considering the various skills required to become a successful cloud engineer. Attaining a cloud computing certification differentiates your profile and will give you an edge to become a sought-after cloud engineer in a highly competitive job landscape. The training and certification will assist you in getting in-depth knowledge of cloud computing. They will also enable you to master various concepts of the cloud that will help you make your way into a long and successful cloud engineering career.
