In today’s era, where technologies change at lightning speed, continuous learning and upskilling have become crucial to professional development. DevOps is no exception. Among the many courses and certifications available at the click of the mouse, professionals must be careful while choosing a certification, as it typically involves considerable financial investment.
This article serves as a guide to the top ten DevOps certifications that professionals can opt for in 2024. You will learn the various certifications, fees, and the topics they cover. We will also cover how a comprehensive DevOps program can prepare you for any certification.
What is DevOps?
DevOps is the software development process conducted collaboratively between the development and operations teams.
In DevOps, the developer and operation teams are closely involved when the software is created, tested, deployed, and delivered. This method streamlines team communication and enables higher process efficiency and output quality.
DevOps further speeds up software delivery by integrating automation and effective monitoring.
Also Reach: What is Continuous Deployment? Exploring a Critical Component of DevOps
Why Do You Need DevOps Certifications?
DevOps certifications are proof of your skills in a particular aspect of DevOps. They indicate that you have gained sufficient knowledge and can apply your skills in your work. You receive credentials in multiple areas, such as automation, cloud computing, CI/CD, and configuration management, to name a few.
Several industry leaders offer certifications such as Docker Certified Associate and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert. Such certifications concentrate on specific applications and tools such as AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, Ansible, Jenkins, and Puppet required to accomplish DevOps operations. Here are some more benefits of such certifications:
- The certifications help demonstrate prowess and enhance your credibility
- They include a practical component enabling you to showcase your skills and build your portfolio
- You can explore new opportunities and apply for leadership roles
- Being certified helps you get noticed in the industry as a qualified professional
- They showcase your desire and commitment to upskilling and continuous learning
- As the certifications are focused on a particular platform or tool, you can choose your path in the DevOps field and progress in the relevant companies
- You gain knowledge about the new trends and technologies in the industry
These certifications help build skills critical for a stalwart career in DevOps. While some skills may be specific to the platforms or tools, others are common to all the certifications.
In-Demand DevOps Skills
DevOps professionals must possess certain skills crucial to ensuring a streamlined DevOps process. Here are some of them.
- You must be proficient in software development and operations and have a solid foundation in programming languages, software development fundamentals, version control systems, and key tools.
- You must have a sound understanding of system administration and networking
- Automation has become necessary in DevOps, so you must know the chief tools, languages, and concepts of what it is and how to implement it
- You must be conversant with CI/CD features and the key tools required for automating code integration, testing, delivery, and deployment
- Proficiency in the fundamentals and application of containerization and related technologies is a plus
- You must be familiar with configuration management and the relevant tools such as Puppet and Chef
- You must have excellent communication skills and be a team player
Also Read: What is DevSecOps? Definition, Benefits, Best Practices
10 Best DevOps Certifications
As several organizations offer various DevOps certifications, choosing the best ones may need to be clarified and easier. Here’s a brief list of the top ten certifications to help you decide.
1. Docker Certified Associate
This certification focuses on skills such as Docker technology and containerization. It teaches you to design, build, maintain, and manage Docker containers.
The course costs approximately $195; the certification is valid for two years. A basic understanding of Docker fundamentals will help you begin the course on the right foot.
2. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Curated by the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), the Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification hones your Kubernetes administration and orchestration skills. You learn to deploy, manage, and maintain containerized applications in the Kubernetes cluster.
The certification exam costs approximately $395 and consists of multiple performance-based issues you must solve from a command line.
3. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
This DevOps certification is designed for professionals who have worked developing code in a high-level programming language for two or more years, provisioning and operating AWS environments, implementing and managing continuous delivery systems in AWS, and automating security control and metrics.
The exam fees are $300 and are offered in four languages. This certification will testify to your skills in SDLC automation, configuration management and IaC, monitoring and logging, and resilient cloud solutions.
4. Google Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
Google Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer is a certification for professionals using Google Cloud for their DevOps. You will gain credentials in application deployment on Google Cloud, service performance optimization, application of site reliability engineering practices, and developing and managing a Google Cloud organization for DevOps. Priced at $200, you can choose the right certification path.
5. Certified Kubernetes Application Developer
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer, also called CKAD, is a DevOps certification curated to develop and assess developer skills in a Kubernetes environment.
This certification teaches you about defining application resources and creating, configuring, and observing scalable applications using Kubernetes core primitives. You must have background knowledge of container runtimes, cloud-native architectures, and validating Kubernetes resource definitions.
While the training and exam bundle is priced at $595, you can choose to appear for just the exam by paying USD 395.
6. Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
This certification showcases your expertise in developing instrumentation strategies, security and compliance plans, and managing source control. You will learn to define and implement a continuous delivery and release management strategy. You must pass the AZ-400 exam, which you can prepare for through self-paced or virtual training. This certification is priced at $165
7. Puppet Enterprise Certification
Puppet Enterprise Certification validates your system administration experience and improves your industry credibility. It is a great opportunity to gain access to a wide range of resources and a vibrant community of Puppet users. You can choose self-paced courses or attend live training. The exam fees are $200, and you will be tested on multiple topics such as classification strategies, troubleshooting Puppet code, module structure, resource abstraction, and understanding of Puppet environments.
8. Google Cloud Professional Cloud Network Engineer Certification
This certification evaluates your design, planning, and prototyping skills in a Google Cloud network. You will learn to implement Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) instances and configure network services. Priced at $200, the certification is valid for two years. If you have worked in managing Google Cloud solutions for more than one year, this is the perfect certification for you.
9. HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate (003)
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate (003) is a certification for cloud engineers specializing in DevOps. You will be evaluated for your skills in infrastructure as code (IaC), multi-cloud and provider-agnostic benefits, using se Terraform outside of core workflow, and understanding HCP Terraform capabilities.
The certification is priced at just over $70 and covers a study guide, a review guide, and sample questions.
10. DevOps Foundation
DevOps Foundation focuses on developing a strong foundation in DevOps concepts. This DevOps certification includes DevOps concepts, terminology, principles, and business and technology frameworks. It is a 16-hour instructor-led course that includes course material, templates, sample questions, and tools. The exam fees are approximately $235.
Also Read: What is DevOps Automation? A Beginner’s Guide
How to Choose the Right DevOps Certification
Selecting the right certification boils down to your vision for your future and your inclination. After gaining basic experience studying and working with various platforms, you may get an idea of the one that suits you the best. So, if you would like to work with Microsoft Azure, you can get those certifications.
Ensure that you select the certification from a credible source. Several websites claim to offer the certification but may need to be accredited by the official organization. Hence, select a well-known and credible source.
Finally, opt for the certification that helps you grow in your path. Select the part of the development cycle you wish to work on and explore the relevant certifications. Choose one based on the tools and the curriculum covered. The course must be comprehensive enough to justify the cost.
Tips to Prepare for a DevOps Certification
Earning a certification can accelerate your career graph and change its trajectory. The key is to make the most of your certification to add to your skills rather than remain just a piece of paper. Here are some tips you can use to prepare for a DevOps certification.
- Choose the correct certification that builds on your current knowledge. Read up on what it offers and what you will learn.
- Understand the certifications and reconcile them with your career objectives. Seek answers to the questions “Is this what I like to do? Will this be helpful, and how?” Identify the skill you wish to hone.
- Plan your learning. Routine is a must to excel in the certification examination. Dedicate a fixed time during the day for studying. Plan your topics and note your progress.
- Begin practicing the skills as soon as possible. For consistency, try to complete at least one exercise per day.
- Join official communities and social websites to grow your network and gain insights into how the examination works. You may find useful resources to help you prepare. Further, you can also go through the official documentation and libraries to get a feel of the practical application of your skills.
Also Read: Embracing Efficiency and Automation with GitOps: A Comprehensive Guide
Get Ready to Get Certified in DevOps
Certifications are financial investments that must be done carefully. They have the potential to change your career path for the better. While the number and scope of certifications may differ, the required skills are based on the same DevOps fundamentals.
Enrolling in a well-designed DevOps bootcamp helps professionals build a strong foundation and prepares them to advance their careers in this field through DevOps certifications.
The program is specially curated to train you in Azure DevOps, cloud platforms, configuration management, containerization, continuous delivery, integration, and deployment automation.
You might also like to read:
CI/CD Pipeline: Continuous Integration vs. Continuous Deployment vs. Continuous Delivery
Infrastructure as Code in DevOps: Basics and Best Practices
What is Continuous Integration in DevOps? A Beginner’s Guide
