AWS Certifications and Certificates

If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills in AWS, you might be overwhelmed by the different certifications and certificate programs available. You might also have a lot of questions, such as, will I need to become certified to find a career. What are my options for becoming certified? What is the best path to becoming certified?This article aims to answer these questions so you can efficiently choose the right path toward an AWS certification. Keep reading to find out more.

What is AWS?

Released to the public in 2002, Amazon Web Services is the most commonly used Cloud Computing Platform among individuals, corporations, and public-sector organizations. AWS encompasses a wide range of services. As of 2022, this includes more than two hundred distinct services, including cloud data storage, database management, data analytics, machine learning, and distributed computing services, and the number of services available is only set to continue growing as Amazon expands its computing capabilities. At the time of writing, Amazon Web Services is the leader in Cloud infrastructure services with a 33% market share, more than its two primary competitors (Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud) combined.

Amazon Web Services is an incredibly trusted Cloud computing service and counts among its clients NASA, Netflix, the Department of Defense, and Bloomberg. Amazon Web Services is such a trusted network in terms of reliability and security that the UK’s Ministry of Defense and the MI:5 and MI:6 intelligence agencies have contracted AWS to host classified information. This level of security and coverage means that learning AWS will also be a vital part of a cybersecurity curriculum, as many organizations and institutions use the service to store sensitive data and information. Regardless of what aspect of the world of computer science you work in, it is very likely that you will interact with AWS in a meaningful capacity.

Read more about what AWS is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with AWS?

Given that AWS is a collection of over two hundred different cloud computing services, there are an almost endless number of different things you can do through AWS. On an enterprise level, AWS allows organizations and businesses to host and store huge amounts of data and utilize Amazon’s various data analysis tools to interpret, catalog, and use that data. AWS also allows groups to take advantage of Amazon’s computer infrastructure to train machine learning programs or assist in web development. AWS is also a common-hosting platform for web applications.

AWS is also used in a wide variety of different contexts outside of the world of business. It is such a versatile service that companies and organizations have found ways to tailor AWS services to their needs. The NFL uses AWS for advanced statistical analysis and data-driven sports science, and MI:6 uses the same platform to store classified information of vital national security interest. The versatility of the services offered by AWS lets the same users building machine learning algorithms host those tools for companies wanting to perform significant data analytics projects. As the AWS cloud computing platform grows, so does the scope of projects it can handle.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

Students looking to become AWS certified may be surprised to learn that there are a few different ways to go about this process. Certificates and certifications are not the same things, and while they both allow you to become certified, they demonstrate your proficiency in a different capacity.

Certification is awarded to students who pass a proctored skills exam that tests their knowledge of AWS and ability to work with the platform in real-world situations. These exams are often offered through first-party providers and rarely come with guided training (though many will offer students paid study materials). These certifications often expire, requiring users to retake the exam to keep their certification up-to-date.

Certificates are akin to diplomas and are awarded to students who complete professional training programs taught by industry-recognized experts. These certificate-granting programs are ideal for students who need additional training, making them a great place for beginners and students who need more training to pass certification exams.

Top Certifications & Certificates for AWS

Students looking to become AWS certified will want to explore the immersive training options available through Noble Desktop. These courses include AWS-focused classes, such as the Cloud Computing with AWS course and classes focused on specific career skills but include AWS training in relevant areas, such as the Cybersecurity Bootcamp. The courses are perfect for students who want advanced training and feel they would benefit from expert instruction.

Students who want to pass a certification exam have a wide range of specific specialization exams that they can take through Amazon’s Certification program. Test takers can become certified in machine learning, data analytics, development, and systems engineering among many other skill sets.

Students hoping to pass a certification exam should consider enrolling in one of the shorter Noble bootcamps to build their skills. Amazon offers free training materials, but many of these materials are intended for beginners rather than certification-seeking test-takers.

Should I Get Certified in AWS?

For most jobs, becoming AWS certified won’t be a strict requirement for your employment. However, it is a beneficial additional skill to demonstrate to prospective employers that you are ready to start working on complex projects. It won’t be required, but it can help set you apart from other candidates.

The exception to this is for anyone pursuing a cybersecurity position related to AWS. These jobs frequently require employees to be certified, given the stakes involved in their day-to-day job requirements.

How to Get Certified in AWS

The best way to become certified in AWS will depend on how much additional training a student feels that they need. Students with significant on-the-job experience or prior training will want to consider sitting down to pass a certification exam. Students who feel that they need additional training or who aren’t familiar with the program will want to enroll in a certificate-granting career program. These programs may also be a great way for students to prepare for a certification exam.

Learn AWS with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Those interested in learning how to utilize AWS and the various computing processes available through the service may want to receive guidance on using these tools. Anyone looking for this guidance can find it through the professional training services offered by Noble Desktop. These classes are available in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus or online in private digital classrooms. Regardless of how you take these classes, students will be taught by expert instructors who have years of experience working with AWS. Class sizes, even those online, are kept small so students won’t have to worry about competing with their classmates for their instructor’s attention. Plus, anyone enrolling in a Noble training course can retake the class any time within a calendar year for free. This will ensure that students have even more time to practice their AWS skills.

People who are interested in an overview of the tools offered by Amazon and their basic functions will want to enroll in Noble’s Cloud Computing with AWS course. This class will teach participants how to build enterprise-level cloud computing environments for various professional purposes. Students will learn how to use cloud infrastructure for building networks and databases and receive practical, hands-on training in these skills to be ready to apply their training once they enter the professional world. This is an excellent course for those who want to work with AWS tools but aren’t sure that they want to specialize in a specific aspect of the program suite.

AWS is vital to modern cybersecurity infrastructures because many major institutions and organizations utilize the platform. If you’re interested in entering this important and growing career field, you will want to enroll in Noble’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. In this immersive, career-focused training program, students will learn how to analyze and engineer cybersecurity systems for Python, Linux, and cloud computing databases like AWS. As more important and sensitive data is stored on cloud systems, businesses will become more invested in their cybersecurity infrastructure. In this class, students will learn techniques for monitoring, analyzing, and planning cybersecurity systems, how to discover weaknesses and potential exploits in a system, and how to recognize attackers and security breaches. This is an ideal course for any student who wants to enter into a new career in the in-demand field of cybersecurity. You may also wish to explore their other options for cybersecurity classes and bootcamps through Noble Desktop.

Key Insights

• Students looking to become certified in AWS will have a few options available. Most professions won’t require employees to become certified (cybersecurity being a major exception), but it is a good way to improve your resume.
• Students wanting to become certified can either pass a certification exam or complete a certificate-granting course.
• Certification exams are the best option for students with significant AWS experience, and certificate-granting courses are ideal for students who need additional training.
• Whether you want to enroll in a certificate-granting course, either in-person or online, or brush up on your skills in preparation for a certification exam, Noble Desktop is here to help you by offering comprehensive AWS training courses.