Cloud computing professionals are in demand now more than ever. Why now, you may ask? The cloud computing market was already seeing significant growth before 2020. Between 2010 and 2020 alone, the market saw a jump of 635%, as per CloudZero. However, the pandemic ushered in the era of remote working which made the cloud computing market grow at exponential rates. 

According to Precedence Research, the global cloud computing market is expected to cross $1 trillion by 2028. This has, of course, led to a huge increase in the demand for cloud computing professionals. This is a golden time for people who wish to make a career in cloud computing. With more and more companies seeking skilled professionals, it is a great time for you to learn cloud computing skills. 

This blog will introduce you to the top cloud computing skills.

What is Cloud Computing?

Before beginning with the top cloud computing skills, let us get a gist of what cloud computing is. In simple words, it is the availability of computer resources over the internet on a demand basis. You don’t have to worry about storing anything on your computers. Your data is securely stored by cloud services. You can access it at any time and from anywhere in the world. 

Some of the most popular cloud services include AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Oracle, etc. One of the major reasons for the popularity of the cloud is that it offers access to all computer resources at affordable costs. Cloud is incredibly beneficial for organizations that cannot afford huge costs to develop their own IT infrastructure. But overall, it has attracted all kinds of businesses, whether small or large, due to less maintenance cost, efficient computation, and data storage. 

Skills Required for Cloud Computing 

To be successful in any cloud computing role, you need both soft and technical skills. Soft skills include project management, communication, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and decision-making. 

Here are the top technical skills required for cloud computing. 

Programming

Knowledge of programming languages is a must-have for every cloud professional. They often have to use coding to build, deploy, and manage applications. There are many programming languages you can learn. However, the most common and useful ones are Python, Java, Ruby, Golang, and JavaScript. 

Let us see some of these languages in detail.

• Python: Python is one of the best languages for cloud development. Also known as a full-stack programming language, Python is beginner-friendly and easy to learn. It is extensively used in serverless application development using AWS, which is the market leader in the cloud computing market. 

• Ruby: Ruby is an easy open-source language. It has numerous learning resources to develop modern applications. It is dynamic and requires less code to be written than Java for deploying applications on the cloud.

• Java: Java is another easy-to-learn programming language. It is highly versatile, robust, and platform-independent. Most cloud platforms offer SDKs for Java. It is especially beneficial if you want to do AWS training. 

Cloud Service Platform Expertise

A good starting point would be to get a solid understanding of all major cloud service platforms. The three major cloud platforms are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. A thorough knowledge of these platforms will be beneficial for your career. There are many others apart from these platforms, including Oracle, IBM, etc. 

You should also know open-source technology platforms like OpenStack. Once you understand these platforms, you will be easily able to determine which platform can host what type of applications. 

Cloud Security

Cloud security is the top priority for every organization using the cloud. This is because the cloud stores all the information about organizational processes, including sensitive data and customers’ personal information. As such, cloud security professionals are in high demand. 

You must have the skills for identity and access management and securing information stored in the cloud. A good way of developing these skills is to get certifications. Some of the most popular cloud security certifications include CCSP, Google Professional Cloud Security Professional, AWS Certified Security, and CCSK.

Development and Operations (DevOps)

DevOps is integral to escalating an organization’s ability to deliver applications and services by considering the whole software lifecycle. Essentially, it is the unification and automation of all processes. This helps in reducing the time to market. 

DevOps is a useful part of the development cycle, making it a useful skill for cloud professionals. You can also go on to prepare for the role of Cloud DevOps Engineer with good knowledge and skills in the field. Cloud DevOps Engineers manage the developmental and operational aspects of cloud infrastructure. 

Database Skills

We create almost 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. This data carries the potential to help organizations identify new opportunities, solve challenges, and achieve their goals. Most of the data collected by organizations is kept on the cloud. Therefore, organizations often require people skilled in the cloud to manage and maintain the databases. 

Having skills in managing the security, performance, and storage of databases is extremely beneficial. Some of the major databases you should have a thorough understanding of include the following.

• MySQL: MySQL is a popular open-source relational database that can be easily hosted on the Google Cloud Platform. You can build, maintain, and manage your MySQL on Google Cloud. 

• Hadoop: Hadoop is an open-source framework that can store large datasets. You can also use it to process the datasets. Having skills in managing Hadoop will be a plus point when you search for jobs.

Machine Learning and AI

For a successful career in cloud computing, it is essential to have a solid grasp of machine learning and AI. All the cloud computing market leaders provide tools for better access to cloud-based AI and machine learning applications. Needless to say, these two are the most sought-after skills in the technology industry. 

Machine learning solutions are also offered over the cloud, better known as machine learning as a service. This area is also expected to grow significantly in the coming years, making it a great skill to add to your arsenal. Adding AI and machine learning skills will only prove to be beneficial for you as you search for a new job. 

Cloud Deployment and Migration 

As more and more companies adopt the cloud, having the necessary cloud deployment and migration skills is a must. The migration to the cloud is a much more complicated process than you may think. It requires advanced level skills as you have to ensure that the data is secured during the process and minimize downtime. 

Before carrying out cloud migration, you also need to assess the cloud environment. Therefore, you need to have these skills to maintain a successful career in cloud computing. 

Automation

Automation is one of the many benefits the cloud offers. It is a sure-shot way of improving efficiency. As a cloud computing professional, you must be well-versed in cloud architecture and help improve operational efficiency through the cloud. 

There are many other cloud computing skills you need to master to build a successful career, including the following. 

• Cloud orchestration: The skills to automate and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously. 

• Linux: Linux is beneficial for almost all cloud services. Having skills to design, develop, deploy, and manage Linux-based servers is another important cloud computing skill. 

• Serverless: Serverless computing is also becoming increasingly popular in organizations, making it an essential skill to have.  

• Performance testing, metrics, and analytics: Testing the cloud environment’s performance is another must-have skill. You should also be skilled in metrics and analytics. 

How can Certifications help you?

Certifications can help you pursue a career in cloud computing. They are also useful for professionals wanting to advance their careers. On one hand, they validate your expertise in the specific field. On the other, they help you stay on top of your game by helping you learn all the necessary skills. 

Here are the top cloud computing certifications you can pursue. 

• Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect:  GCP Cloud Architect will validate your skills in designing, deploying, and maintaining secure and robust cloud solutions.

• Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Another entry-level certification, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals will help you learn the fundamental cloud concepts and Azure services. It is one of the most popular cloud certifications in the industry. 

• Google Certified Professional Data Engineer: This certification requires candidates to have at least three years of experience. It validates your skills in designing, building, securing, and managing data processing systems using the Google Cloud Platform for Data Engineering.

• CompTIA Cloud+: CompTIA Cloud+ is a performance-based certification that covers all three major cloud vendors. It validates your skills in maintaining and optimizing cloud services. 

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): CCSP validates your knowledge and expertise in securing data, applications, and infrastructure on the cloud. This certification is recommended for people with at least five years of experience in the industry. 

Conclusion

Cloud computing is growing at unprecedented rates. It is here to stay. And companies will continue to look for people with relevant skills. This blog lists all the top cloud computing skills that can boost your IT career. With these in your arsenal, you can successfully build and advance your careers in cloud computing.