Top Azure Cloud Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2023

By Aarav Goel 31-May-2023
Top Azure Cloud Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2023

In recent years, cloud computing has become increasingly popular, with Microsoft Azure emerging as a leading cloud computing platform. As more businesses move their operations to the cloud, the demand for skilled Azure professionals is on the rise. Earning an Azure certification can help professionals gain the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers in the cloud computing industry.

What is Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that offers a range of services, including computing, networking, storage, analytics, and more. It allows businesses to build, deploy, and manage services and applications through a global network of Microsoft-managed data centres. Azure is widely used by businesses of all sizes and industries, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

Why Go For an Azure Certification

Azure certifications are beneficial for several reasons. Here are some of the main benefits of obtaining an Azure certification:

  1. Career advancement: Azure certifications demonstrate to employers that you have a strong understanding of cloud computing and the Azure platform, making you a valuable asset to any organisation. They can help open up new career opportunities and lead to higher salaries.

  2. Increased credibility: Earning an Azure certification shows that you have invested time and effort in learning about the Azure platform and are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends. This can increase your credibility with potential employers.

  3. Validation of skills: Azure certifications provide an objective validation of your skills and knowledge, making it easier for employers to evaluate your qualifications. This is particularly important in a rapidly evolving industry like cloud computing, where there are often many different technologies and frameworks to master.

  4. Access to exclusive resources: Microsoft offers a variety of resources to help Azure-certified professionals stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. This includes access to exclusive events, training courses, and communities of like-minded professionals.

  5. Competitive advantage: As more organisations move their workloads to the cloud, the demand for cloud computing professionals is on the rise. Earning an Azure certification can give you a competitive advantage over other candidates when applying for cloud computing roles.

In addition to these benefits, Azure certifications are also valuable because they are recognised worldwide. Microsoft Azure is used by organisations of all sizes and industries, and having an Azure certification can be particularly valuable if you work in a global or international environment. They are an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise in cloud computing and the Azure platform, and can provide a range of benefits for your career and professional development.

 Talk to Our Counselor Today 

Top Azure Cloud Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2023

  1. Azure Fundamentals

The  Azure Fundamentals certification is designed for professionals who want to get started with Azure. It covers basic cloud concepts, Azure services, and support options. This certification is recommended for those who are new to Azure or have a non-technical background. This certification validates your foundational knowledge of cloud services and how they are provided with Microsoft Azure.

Topics Covered in AZ-900 Exam are :-

Topics Weightage
Describe Cloud Concepts 25-30%
Describe Azure Architecture & Services 35-40%
Describe Azure Management & Governance 30-35%
  1. Azure Administrator Associate

The  Azure Administrator Associate certification is designed for professionals who want to become Azure administrators. It covers topics such as Azure virtual machines, networking, storage, and security. This certification is recommended for those who have some experience with Azure and want to further their skills in Azure administration. You can demonstrate your expertise in implementing, monitoring and maintaining Microsoft Azure solutions, including major services related to computing storage, network, and security. To earn this certification, you need to pass the AZ-104 exam, which validates your knowledge of Azure administration concepts.

Topics Covered in AZ-104 Exam are :-

Topics Weightage
Manage Azure identities and governance 15-20%
Implementation and management of storage 15-20%
Deployment and management of Azure compute resources 20-25%
Configuring and managing virtual networks 25-30%
Monitoring and backup for Azure resources 10-15%
  1. Azure Developer Associate

The  Azure Developer Associate certification is designed for professionals who want to become Azure developers. It covers topics such as Azure computing, storage, and security. This certification is recommended for those who have experience with programming and want to develop Azure solutions. To earn this certification, you need to pass the AZ-204 exam, which validates your knowledge of Azure development concepts and services.

Topics Covered in AZ-204 Exam are :-

Topics Weightage
Develop Azure compute solutions 25-30%
Developing for Azure storage 15-20%
Implementation of Azure security 20-25%
Monitoring, troubleshooting and optimizing Azure solutions 15-20%
Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services 15-20%

 

Read More: Know the Right Microsoft Azure Certification for You [10+ Updated List]

  1. Azure Security Engineer Associate

The  Azure Security Engineer Associate certification is designed for professionals who want to become Azure security engineers or professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in implementing security controls and threat protection on Microsoft Azure. It covers topics such as Azure security features, security management, and security operations. This certification is recommended for those who have experience with Azure security and want to further their skills in Azure security management. To earn this certification, you need to pass the AZ-500 exam, which validates your knowledge of Azure security concepts and services.

Topics Covered in AZ-500 Exam are :-

Topics Weightage
Manage Identity and Access 30-35%
Implement Platform Protection 15-20%
Manage Security Operations 20-25%
Secure Data and Applications 20-25%
  1. Azure Solutions Architect Expert

The  Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is designed for professionals who want to become Azure solutions architects. It covers topics such as designing and implementing Azure solutions, managing Azure resources, and optimizing Azure solutions. This certification is recommended for those who have extensive experience with Azure and want to become Azure architects. To earn this certification, you need to pass both the AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams, which validate your knowledge of Azure architecture concepts and services.

Topics Covered in Azure Solutions Architect Exam are :-

Topics Weighting
Implement and monitor an Azure infrastructure 50-55%
Implementation of management and security solutions 25-30%
Implementation of solutions for apps 10-15%
Implementation and management of data platforms 10-15%

  1. Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

The  Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification is designed for professionals who want to become Azure DevOps engineers. It covers topics such as deploying and managing Azure infrastructure, implementing continuous integration and delivery, and implementing monitoring and feedback systems. This certification is recommended for those who have experience with DevOps and want to become Azure DevOps engineers. To earn this certification, you need to pass the AZ-400 exam, which validates your knowledge of Azure DevOps concepts and services.

Topics Covered in AZ-400 Exam are :-

Topic Weightage
Configure processes and communications 10-15%
Design and implement source control 15-20%
Design and implement build and release pipelines 40-45%
Develop a security and compliance plan 10-15%
Implement an instrumentation strategy 10-15%

 

Read More: Microsoft Azure Certification Path 2023 | All You Need To Know

Eligibility Requirements for All Exams

  1. Azure Fundamentals Certification: There are no prerequisites for this certification, and it is designed for individuals who want to validate their foundational knowledge of cloud services and Microsoft Azure.

  2. Azure Administrator Associate Certification: To be eligible for this certification, you should have a basic understanding of cloud computing and Azure services. You should also have experience with Azure Portal, Azure PowerShell, Azure CLI, and Azure Resource Manager templates.

  3. Azure Developer Associate Certification: To be eligible for this certification, you should have experience with developing Azure solutions, including Azure Functions, Azure Storage, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Event Grid, and Azure Service Bus. You should also have experience with programming languages such as C#, JavaScript, Python, and Node.js.

  4. Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification: To be eligible for this certification, you should have a deep understanding of Azure services and be able to design solutions that meet business requirements. You should also have experience with Azure DevOps, Azure cost management, and Azure governance.

  5. Azure DevOps Engineer Expert Certification: To be eligible for this certification, you should have experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, source control, and Agile practices. You should also have experience with Azure services such as Azure App Service, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Azure Virtual Machines.

  6. Azure Security Engineer Associate Certification: To be eligible for this certification, you should have experience with Azure security controls, threat protection, and compliance. You should also have experience with Azure Security Center, Azure Sentinel, and Azure Information Protection.

It's important to note that while these are the recommended eligibility requirements for each certification, there is no strict requirement or prerequisite for any of the exams. Microsoft provides study materials and resources to help you prepare for each exam, regardless of your background or experience level.

Microsoft Azure Learning Path

The Microsoft Azure Cloud Certification Path is a comprehensive set of courses and resources designed to help IT professionals and developers gain the knowledge and skills they need to work effectively with Azure. It's a learning roadmap that takes you from beginner to advanced levels, with each step building on the previous one. The learning path includes both free and paid resources, including online courses, hands-on labs, and certification exams.

The Microsoft Azure Certification Path is organized into several categories, each with a specific focus. These categories include:

  1. Fundamentals: This category covers the basics of Azure, including cloud computing concepts, Azure services, and management tools. It's a great place to start for those who are new to Azure.

  2. Infrastructure: This category is focused on the infrastructure aspects of Azure, including virtual machines, networking, and storage. It's ideal for IT professionals who want to learn how to deploy and manage infrastructure in Azure.

  3. Security: This category covers security-related topics, such as identity and access management, network security, and data protection. It's important for professionals who work with sensitive data and want to ensure that their Azure deployments are secure.

  4. Application Development: This category is focused on Azure services that are used in application development, such as Azure Functions, App Services, and Azure Kubernetes Service. It's ideal for developers who want to build cloud-native applications in Azure.

  5. Data and AI: This category covers Azure services that are used in data and AI workloads, such as Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Machine Learning. It's important for professionals who work with big data and want to leverage Azure services to gain insights and build intelligent applications.

Each category includes multiple courses and resources that cover different topics in detail. For example, the Fundamentals category includes courses on cloud computing concepts, Azure services, and management tools. The Infrastructure category includes courses on virtual machines, networking, and storage. The Security category includes courses on identity and access management, network security, and data protection. The Application Development category includes courses on Azure Functions, App Services, and Azure Kubernetes Service. The Data and AI category includes courses on Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Machine Learning.

By following the Microsoft Azure Learning Path, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of Azure and build the skills you need to work effectively with the platform. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, there are courses and resources available that can help you achieve your career goals.

 Talk to Our Counselor Today 

Aarav Goel

Aarav Goel has top education industry knowledge with 4 years of experience. Being a passionate blogger also does blogging on the technology niche.