Earning the right DevOps certification is vital to further your DevOps career. Whether you're starting out or a seasoned DevOps professional, the right certification will give you the skills and knowledge you need to progress in your IT career. DevOps roles are often listed among the highest-paying jobs, and obtaining a certification increases your chances of securing a high-paying job.
Additionally, the certification will prepare you to work efficiently within a team composed of various functional members such as QA engineers, developers, operations engineers, and business analysts.
What is DevOps?
DevOps aims to bridge the gap between IT and development teams by fostering collaboration and breaking down functional silos. With a DevOps approach, teams work together to drive software development, deployment, and problem resolution. DevOps is not just a set of tools and practices but a mindset focused on continuous improvement and collaboration. This can be facilitated using technologies such as CI/CD for quick and seamless application updates, Git for source control, cloud computing for flexible and scalable software environments, and automated configuration management tools for fast deployment and provisioning.
Best DevOps certifications
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional Gain recognition as a skilled AWS professional with the Amazon Web Services certification. Demonstrate your ability to effectively test and deploy AWS applications and infrastructure and showcase your extensive knowledge of cloud platforms, including compliance validation, governance processes, and security controls. As the leading cloud computing platform, obtaining an AWS certification is a highly sought-after credential, with a high demand for AWS-certified DevOps engineers in the job market, as evidenced by the over 32,000 job postings on Indeed in November 2022. If you work with AWS as a DevOps engineer and have a minimum of two years of experience, consider taking the AWS DevOps Engineer Professional certification to advance your career. Note that coding proficiency in a high-level programming language is required to take the exam.
2. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Showcase your expertise in Kubernetes with the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification. Prove your ability to manage and configure production-ready Kubernetes clusters and exhibit proficiency in basic installation procedures. The CKA exam tests your knowledge in various critical areas, including troubleshooting, cluster architecture and configuration, networking and services, workload scheduling, and storage. This certification is ideal for IT professionals, including Kubernetes administrators and cloud administrators, who work with Kubernetes instances regularly. Take your skills to the next level and earn recognition as a Certified Kubernetes Administrator.
3. Docker Certified Associate (DCA)
Enhance your skills and showcase your proficiency in Docker with the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) certification. Validate your expertise in containers and Docker, including orchestration, image creation and management, installation and configuration, networking, security, and storage. As one of the leading container runtime platforms, obtaining a Docker certification is a valuable asset for DevOps engineers, software engineers, and others working with Docker. To be eligible for the Docker exam, you must have 6 to 12 months of experience using Docker and a strong understanding of Linux. Take the first step to demonstrate your mastery of Docker and advance your career.
4. Puppet Certified Professional
Demonstrate your mastery of Puppet with the Puppet Certified Professional certification. Prove that you have the skills and experience necessary to use Puppet IT automation software to deliver infrastructure changes quickly and create top-quality software. The Puppet Certified Professional exam assesses both your technical abilities and practical experience, covering a range of concepts, including classification strategies, troubleshooting Puppet code, module authoring, orchestration and tasks, environments, administration, language, and concepts. This certification is ideal for DevOps engineers and IT professionals seeking to validate their expertise in using Puppet to automate processes. To take the certification, you must have a solid foundational understanding and experience using Puppet. Showcase your skills and advance your career with the Puppet Certified Professional certification.
5. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
Unlock your potential as a DevOps Engineer with the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification. This certification demonstrates your expertise in delivering continuous business value through people, processes, and technologies. The exam evaluates your skills in developing instrumentation strategies, site reliability engineering, security and compliance, managing source control, collaboration, and implementing continuous integration and management. Designed specifically for DevOps engineers, this certification requires expertise in Azure administration or development. It requires either the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification as a prerequisite. Showcase your mastery of DevOps processes and take your career to the next level with the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification.
6. Kubernetes Certification
Elevate your DevOps career with Kubernetes, a collaboration of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and the Linux Foundation. Kubernetes is a top DevOps tool that simplifies the deployment and management of multi-container applications on a large scale, making it a crucial player in the DevOps certification world. By mastering Kubernetes, you'll be able to keep up with the fast-paced demands of software development and stand out as a top DevOps professional. When taking the Kubernetes certifications, you can choose between two certifications - Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD).
CKA Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) program is a comprehensive curriculum that covers every aspect of Kubernetes administration, from installation to security. Upon completing the CKA exam, you'll receive a globally recognized credential, showcasing your expertise and proficiency in Kubernetes. Whether you're looking to launch a career in DevOps or enhance your knowledge of Kubernetes, the CKA certification is an excellent starting point. It's also worth mentioning that it's one of the highly sought-after DevOps certifications in the industry.
CKAD Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
The CKAD credential is designed for professionals skilled in utilizing the core practices of the Kubernetes ecosystem. The certification evaluates a candidate's ability to create, construct, and configure cloud applications specifically for Kubernetes and expose these applications. Obtaining the CKAD designation is a significant milestone. It provides a competitive advantage for certified application developers in the job market and allows companies to assemble top-notch teams to drive their success.
Why should you earn the DevOps certification?
As a DevOps professional looking to pursue a career in DevOps, obtaining certification has numerous benefits. Consider the following reasons to take the next step:
Stay ahead of the trend: DevOps is a rapidly growing field and is seen as the future of software development. With a DevOps certification, you can stay ahead of the curve and make yourself a valuable asset in the job market.
Boost your earnings: In 2020, 95% of DevOps professionals in the US earned over $75,000 annually, a 93% increase from the previous year. With the growing demand for DevOps skills, certification can give your resume a competitive edge.
Gain recognition: Obtaining a DevOps certification demonstrates your expertise in the field and showcases your knowledge of the entire deployment process, from coding to testing and integration. This can lead to new opportunities and a chance to take on more advanced roles within your organization.
Enhance your skills: Whether you're a developer, engineer, or part of a deployment team, gaining a solid understanding of DevOps principles can help you work more efficiently and effectively as part of a cohesive unit.
Which is the best DevOps certification?
When deciding on a DevOps certification, it is important to consider your professional aspirations, existing knowledge base, and individual preferences. Many organizations offer DevOps certifications, such as Red Hat, DevOps Institute, Jenkins, Linux, HashiCorp, and MIT.
With a strong emphasis on automation, these certifications may cover subjects like cloud technology, network configuration, and management. Ultimately, the best DevOps certification for you will depend on your preferred area of focus within the software development process and your familiarity with specific systems.
The final words
Getting certified is a critical step if you're seeking to build a successful career in DevOps. With the high demand for DevOps professionals, having a certification showcases your skills and knowledge and gives you a competitive edge in the job market.
Whether you're starting in the field or looking to switch careers, there's a certification option that can help you achieve your goals and enhance your expertise in DevOps. By obtaining a DevOps certification, you can validate your abilities, demonstrate your commitment to the field, and set yourself apart from other job candidates.
