The Future of DevOps Certifications and Their Role in IT Operations

Are you interested in becoming a DevOps engineer? Do you wonder what skills and certifications are required to succeed in this field? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this article is for you!

In recent years, DevOps has become a buzzword in the IT industry. Companies are increasingly adopting this approach to software development and deployment to accelerate their delivery pipeline and improve the quality of their software products. Consequently, the demand for DevOps engineers has grown significantly.

If you are just starting your career in IT operations, it can be intimidating to navigate the vast array of DevOps certifications available today. How do you know which one is right for you? What are the benefits of getting certified? And perhaps most importantly, what does the future hold for DevOps certifications in the IT industry?

Let's dive in and explore the exciting world of DevOps certifications and their role in IT operations!

Why get certified in DevOps?

Before we discuss the specifics of DevOps certifications, it's essential to understand the benefits of getting certified.

First and foremost, DevOps certifications validate your knowledge and skill sets in the DevOps domain. They demonstrate to potential employers that you have the expertise to implement DevOps practices and methodologies and can contribute to the organization's growth and success.

Moreover, DevOps certifications can accelerate your career growth and open exciting job opportunities. According to a 2020 study published by Indeed, the average salary of a DevOps engineer in the United States is $120,653 per year. This makes DevOps one of the highest-paying careers in the IT industry.

Lastly, getting certified in DevOps can improve your credibility and reputation in the industry. As you accumulate more certifications and experience, you become a sought-after expert in DevOps practices, making you indispensable to organizations looking to adopt this approach.

Popular DevOps certifications

Now that we've explored the benefits of getting certified let's get down to business and discuss the most popular DevOps certifications.

1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional

The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional certification is designed for DevOps engineers who work with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. It validates your expertise in deploying, operating, and managing applications on AWS.

The certification exam tests your knowledge in various areas, such as Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) practices, infrastructure-as-code (IaC), monitoring, and logging. The certification is valid for three years and costs $300 per attempt.

2. Docker Certified Associate

The Docker Certified Associate certification is designed for IT professionals who have experience with Docker container technology. It validates your knowledge of Docker fundamentals, such as containerization, orchestration, and Docker Compose.

The certification exam consists of 55 multiple-choice questions and lasts for 90 minutes. The certification is valid for two years and costs $195 per attempt.

3. Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer

The Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer certification is designed for DevOps engineers who work with the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). It validates your expertise in designing and implementing DevOps practices on GCP.

The certification exam tests your knowledge in areas such as CI/CD practices, infrastructure automation, and monitoring and logging. The certification is valid for two years and costs $200 per attempt.

4. Puppet Certified Professional

The Puppet Certified Professional certification is designed for IT professionals who work with Puppet automation software. It validates your knowledge in areas such as infrastructure automation, configuration management, and orchestration.

The certification exam consists of two parts: a multiple-choice knowledge exam and a hands-on practical exam. The certification is valid for two years and costs $300 per attempt.

5. Red Hat Certified Engineer in DevOps

The Red Hat Certified Engineer in DevOps certification is designed for IT professionals who work with Red Hat technologies. It validates your expertise in implementing DevOps practices using Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.

The certification exam tests your knowledge in areas such as CI/CD practices, containerization, and automation. The certification is valid for three years and costs $600 per attempt.

What does the future hold for DevOps certifications?

So, what does the future hold for DevOps certifications? Will they continue to be in demand in the IT industry?

The answer is a resounding yes! According to a report by Technavio, the global DevOps market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 18% between 2020-2024. As business needs continue to evolve, the demand for DevOps engineers will only increase.

Moreover, as more companies adopt DevOps practices, the need for standardization and validation of skills will be crucial. Certifications will serve as a barometer of an individual's proficiency and expertise in a specific DevOps technology or platform.

In addition, DevOps certifications will continue to mirror the latest trends and technologies in DevOps, such as cloud-native technologies, microservices, and Kubernetes. As these technologies gain significance in the DevOps landscape, so will the certifications that validate the skills needed to work with them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DevOps certifications play a vital role in IT operations. They validate your knowledge and skill sets in DevOps practices, accelerate your career growth, and improve your credibility and reputation in the industry.

Moreover, as the demand for DevOps engineers continues to grow, so will the demand for DevOps certifications. They will continue to evolve and mirror the latest trends and technologies in DevOps, validating the skills needed to work with them.

As an IT professional, investing in DevOps certifications is a wise choice that will pay dividends in your career growth and success. So, what are you waiting for? Choose the DevOps certification that's right for you, and start your journey to becoming a DevOps expert today!

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