AWS Training and Certification Blog

Kickstarting your AWS Cloud operations journey: A guide for aspiring cloud architects

Companies of every size have realized benefits from moving to the AWS Cloud, including a lower cost of operations, stronger operational resilience, and a smaller carbon footprint. As part of that transition, cloud operations (CloudOps) plays a crucial role in keeping cloud infrastructure running smoothly. For aspiring cloud architects and system administrators transitioning to Amazon Web Services (AWS), building a strong foundation in CloudOps is the first step towards effectively managing and maintaining cloud infrastructure.

Gartner predicts that 90% of organizations will adopt a hybrid cloud approach by 2027. With the shift to cloud technologies, there will be an increased need for skilled CloudOps professionals to manage the environments. Whether you’re a new cloud architect or an experienced on-premises systems administrator transitioning to the AWS Cloud, this guide will help you build a strong foundation in CloudOps through structured learning, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized certifications.

Build your cloud foundation

To start, we recommend that you establish a basic understanding of cloud computing concepts and technical IT fundamentals. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification serves as an excellent starting point, validating your foundational understanding of the AWS Cloud, its services, and terminology. AWS offers several engaging preparation resources:

  • AWS Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner: Experience an open world role-playing game that teaches you how to build real-world AWS solutions using cloud concepts and exercises. AWS Cloud Quest will cover cloud computing essentials, compute and infrastructure, storage, and security concepts.
  • AWS SimuLearn: Cloud Practitioner: The Cloud Practitioner Learning Plan is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to AWS Cloud concepts and services through immersive simulations and 12 hands-on lab exercises. You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of AWS Cloud computing principles, common use cases, security best practices, billing and pricing models, and the business impacts of cloud adoption.
  • Standard Exam Prep Plan: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Learn how to prepare for the exam by exploring the exam’s topic areas and how they align to developing on AWS and to specific areas of study. Gauge your understanding of topics and concepts from each task statement grouped by domain. Reinforce your knowledge and identify learning gaps with explanations of exam-style questions.

Level up your CloudOps expertise

To build on your cloud practitioner knowledge, AWS Skill Builder offers a variety of digital training options that cover a wide range of AWS services and concepts. We recommend that you go through the following courses in the order below, which has been carefully curated to help you build confidence in your cloud environment:

  • Designing Landing Zone Architectures with AWS Control Tower: Learn the essential strategies for designing, planning, and setting up secure, compliant multi-account environments using AWS Control Tower. This course provides cloud architects and migration engineers with comprehensive insights into creating well-architected landing zones, streamlining account management, and implementing best practices for cloud migration and governance.
  • AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) – Basics: Learn the basics of IAM, consider advantages of using IAM, and explore IAM integration with services. IAM enables you to securely manage access to AWS offerings and resources.
  • AWS Observability – This four-part course helps you learn the core fundamentals of Monitoring and Observability using AWS management and governance services.
  • Amazon CloudWatch Getting Started: With Amazon CloudWatch, cloud practitioners can improve the performance and availability of your applications. In this course, you’ll also review the basics of CloudWatch, including the business and technical challenges it can solve.
  • AWS CloudTrail Getting Started: AWS CloudTrail helps you gain control over storage, analysis, and remediation actions by monitoring activity across your AWS infrastructure.

Practice what you’ve learned

To complement your theoretical knowledge and certification, AWS Solutions-Focused Immersion Days are live, free virtual events designed to help individuals learn how to use AWS products and services. These workshops are geared toward anyone who wants to improve their existing AWS skills. Many sessions include follow-along workshops that you can complete on your own in your own AWS account:

Conclusion

By following this guide combining theoretical knowledge, hands-on labs, and an AWS Certification, you’ll develop a foundation in AWS CloudOps. This structured approach equips you to manage, monitor, and maintain cloud infrastructure. As you progress through each stage, you’ll build the confidence and competence needed to progress in AWS CloudOps.

Next steps

After you’ve established your foundation in cloud operations, there are several paths to continue your AWS journey:

  • Boost your AWS proficiency with Solutions-Focused Immersion Days: Look into additional Solutions-Focused Immersion Days covering other domains that interest you so you can expand your practical experience in different areas of AWS.
  • AWS Certifications: Consider role-based certifications like solutions architect or SysOps administrator, which align well with cloud operations responsibilities. For deeper expertise in specific domains, explore specialty certifications in security, networking, or data analytics.
  • AWS Skill Builder: Explore other AWS Skill Builder courses that align with your interests or organizational needs. AWS regularly updates their learning content to keep pace with new services and best practices.