An Azure certification is beneficial for all cloud-computing professionals, novice or experienced. It will not only help you to improve your skills, but it can also help your career and open up more job opportunities. Learn more about Azure certifications to help you make informed decisions about which ones best suit your career goals and skill set. This article will explain what Azure certifications are and provide a list of 11 Azure certifications you should consider.
What is an Azure certification?
An Azure certification is an award that a professional can receive from Microsoft to highlight their Azure skills and knowledge. Azure allows IT professionals to create, test, and deploy services and applications in highly managed cloud computing data centers.
There are three types of Azure certifications: intermediate, advanced, and beginner. Many of these certifications focus on a particular specialization, which allows individuals with different backgrounds and levels to find the right Azure certification.
11 Azure certifications
Here’s a list of 11 Azure certifications that you can earn
1. Microsoft Certified: Azure FundamentalsThis beginner certification is intended for those who are just starting to use cloud-based services or solutions. This will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge about Azure services, Azure security, privacy, cloud concepts, and Azure workloads, support, pricing, and support. You will be able to learn more about basic technology concepts and other areas such as networking, computing and storage, and application support and/or development.
Other concepts include:
- Cloud concepts
- Solutions and key management tools for Azure
- Major Azure services
- Governance, compliance, and identity
- Network and general security
- Azure cost management
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
This is for those who are just starting to work with cloud data but have a basic understanding of data concepts. Participating in this accreditation program will allow you to learn about relational and non-relational concepts. You may also be able to learn about the different types of data workloads, such as transactional or analytical.
Other concepts include:
- Key data concepts
- Workloads for Azure-based Analytics
- Non-relational Azure-based data
- Azure-based relational database
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
Candidates who have completed the intermediate-level certification are subject matter experts (SMEs). They can help to implement and use Azure security controls. This includes helping to protect networks and identities as well as data in hybrid and cloud environments. You can improve your Azure security engineering skills by earning qualifications. This includes tasks such as fixing vulnerabilities, managing security postures, developing threat models, responding and protecting against critical security incidents.
Other concepts include:
- Platform protection
- Management of access and identity
- Secure applications and sensitive data
- Management of critical security processes and operations
4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate
If you have previous experience in creating, executing, and maintaining Azure hybrid networks and solutions, this intermediate certification is for you. Knowledge of security routing and private access is a must. This qualification program will prepare you to make recommendations for Azure networking solutions. Your skillset will improve in the management of Azure solutions for scale and resiliency as well as security and performance.
Other concepts include:
- Management, execution, and creation of hybrid networks
- Implementation and development of routing processes
- Design and implementation key networking infrastructures
- Azure Services private access
5. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
This certification is for SMEs that are skilled in building and implementing AI solutions using the Azure cognitive search, Azure cognitive services, and Microsoft bot frameworks. This program will help you improve skills and knowledge of all phases of AI solutions development. This program will also help you improve your computer vision, knowledge mining, and natural language processing skills.
Other concepts include:
- Azure cognitive services solution
- Conversational AI solutions
- Solutions for knowledge mining
- Solutions and natural languages processes
6. Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Associate
This intermediate certification is for professionals in security operations. It’s a field that focuses primarily on the protection of information technology systems and collaboration with stakeholders. This certification will allow you to improve your ability to fix active digital attacks and implement better threat protection techniques.
Other concepts include:
- Microsoft 365 Defender is a security tool that can be used to reduce security threats
- Use Azure Defender to protect yourself from security threats
- Azure Sentinel is a way to reduce the risk of hackers and other critical security threats.
7. Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate
This certification is for Stack Hub administrators or operators who offer cloud services to customers and end-users. This program will allow you to gain more experience with Azure Stack Hub infrastructure.
Other concepts include:
- Services
- Management of infrastructure
- Management of access and identities
- Implementing data center integration processes
8. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
This advanced qualification is for highly-skilled experts who can work with people, processes, and technologies to provide consistent and high-quality business value. This will allow you to expand your skillset, which often includes tasks such as implementing collaboration strategies, codes and infrastructure, continuous integration, and other related tasks.
Other concepts include:
- Instrumentation strategies
- Security plans and compliance
- Implementation of a strategy for site reliability engineering
- Management of source control
9. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
This advanced certification requires that you have extensive knowledge of Azure-based solutions such as network, security, and compute. You can expect to improve your Azure development and DevOps processes capabilities as well as other skills such as budgeting, governance, virtualization, disaster recovery, and governance.
Other concepts include:
- Managing Azure infrastructures
- Implementing software solutions
- Managing data platforms
- Designing business continuity, monitoring, and data storage. Identity, security, and identity management.
10. Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty
This advanced specialty certification is for SMEs who are already proficient in configuring and coding tasks to support IoT (Internet of Things). This accreditation will allow you to improve your device management and design IoT solutions.
Other concepts include:
- Installation of IoT infrastructure
- Provisioning and managing IoT devices
- Implementing business integration processes
- Troubleshooting and optimizing IoT solutions
11. Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
This specialty advanced-level certification requires extensive knowledge of the SAP system landscape and industry standards. This certification is intended for architects and engineers. It will enhance your ability to migrate and integrate Azure-based SAP solutions into long-term business operations.
Other concepts include:
- Migration of SAP workloads to Azure
- Create infrastructures to support SAP workloads
- Implementing high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR).
- Azure-based SAP workloads: How to maintain
Here are some tips to help you choose an Azure certification
These are some tips to choose the right certification for you.
- Setting goals: It is important to clearly define your career goals. It is easier to find the Azure certification that will help you reach your goals.
- Think about your career. Many Azure certifications are focused on one occupation, such as DevOps engineer, solutions architect, or DevOps engineer. Depending on your career goals, select the Azure certification that is most compatible with your job title or specialization.
- Take into account your skill level. Azure certifications are available at various skill levels. This ensures that all professionals can find the right certification for them. Choose the Azure certification that best matches your current skill level.
