Architecture is designing and maintaining a physical structure like a building. Similarly, a cloud architect builds and supports technology in the cloud that does not require physical storage or infrastructure.
Let us understand the nitty-gritty of who a cloud architect is, their job roles and responsibilities, and how to become a cloud architect. A cloud architect job is challenging as it is an advanced position in the IT industry. Before that, it is also essential to determine a cloud architecture as businesses today rely heavily on cloud infrastructure.
Professional certification with prior experience working in the cloud, programming languages, and a strong background in operating systems are required to be eligible for working as a senior cloud security architect.
As a career choice, we will discover cloud solutions architect jobs across various industries and what is needed to build a successful career. This article will help you to articulate the right path to becoming a cloud architect.
Table of Contents
What is Cloud Architecture?
An expert in cloud architecture is someone who, in response to customer requirements, coordinates and develops comprehensive solutions. It provides web-based services such as website hosting, server maintenance, and network configuration.
The term “cloud architecture” describes the structure of the technologies needed to create a cloud environment in which applications can be deployed and executed.
Who is a Cloud Security Architect?
A cloud architect is an IT professional that designs, builds and oversees cloud-based solutions for businesses of any size. As it is a broad role, they are responsible for coordinating and collaborating with software developers, database administrators, quality assurance managers, etc, to support and achieve organizational goals.
What does a Cloud Architect do?
Let us further break down the roles and responsibilities of a cloud architect. To be on a cloud architect career path, having a host of knowledge-related technical skills is essential. At the same time, a computer science background is the minimum requirement for organizations.
Let us dive deeper into the potential skills a cloud architect must have to become a professional and certified cloud solution architect. Below are some skills a hiring manager would look for besides minimum work experience and a master’s degree in cloud architecture for a cloud solutions architect job.
- Understanding the company’s short and long-term goals
- Solid understanding of cloud computing concepts, its advantages, and disadvantages
- Understanding the limitations of cloud services and providing alternative solutions
- Expertise in using multiple operating systems. Prior familiarity with Linux, Windows, Ubuntu, and Unix is preferred.
- Knowledge of programming languages like Python, C+, or Java
- Strong communication skills
- Maintaining and assessing current cloud apps and fixing technical issues
- Creating and enforcing policies, procedures, and guidelines for the company’s use of the cloud.
- Selecting cloud providers depends on security, industry compliance, and ease of incorporation into existing infrastructure and procedures.
How to become a Cloud Architect?
As you are aware of the responsibilities and the skills, we would like to take you through the roadmap on how to become a cloud architect in easy steps:
1. Bachelor’s degree
A primary degree is a must and a minimum requirement for an onward journey of having a successful career in cloud architecture. The criteria are a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. A bachelor’s degree will give you the proficiency required in operating systems and a strong foundation in programming skills and networking concepts.
2. On-the-job training
The next step for a cloud solution architect’s job is to put the theory into practice and get relevant experience by working in cloud solutions. An entry-level job as an IT support technician, cloud support, etc., will help you sharpen your technical skills and help you climb the corporate ladder faster with practical knowledge and experience. Also, on-the-job training develops soft skills like communication, team building, and leadership skills, which are essential for a cloud architect.
3. Certification
After gaining practical knowledge and experience for a few years, you can substantially impact your resume by enrolling in a professional advanced certification course. A certificate from a reputed and trusted online provider will improve your credibility, job security, and earning potential in a competitive market. A cloud architect in the United States makes up to $2,18,565 annually. At the same time, a senior cloud architect’s average salary in India is Rs. 35L annually.
A certified architect wears different hats, and a professional course from the leading cloud service provider, i.e., Azure, AWS course, and Google, will prove your skills, hard work, and expertise.
So, if you are wondering how to become a cloud architect, these steps will lead you to a durable future in cloud architecture. Although there is no set path, it is only through experience and managing several projects building and deploying cloud apps with different requirements will develop a strong foundation for you.
Cloud Architect Career Paths
A profession as a cloud architect has enormous potential. There are numerous cloud solutions architect jobs in the field of cloud architecture, including but not limited to:
- Cloud Developer
- Cloud Security Analyst
- Cloud Security Architect
- Cloud Database Administrator
- Computer System Analyst
Conclusion
A cloud architect’s significant responsibility is to keep an organization’s cloud infrastructure up to date, running efficiently with minimal downtime, and priced affordably and scalable to meet future needs. When a company expands, it needs the expertise of a cloud architect with the technical know-how and commercial acumen to handle the expansion.
Prospective employers may request official certifications from trustworthy providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. These certifications certify your design, networking, storage, and security proficiency. Earn more money and advance your career in the cloud by doing this.
Simplilearn’s cloud computing courses can give you a leg up in your career. This course includes various real-world industry projects on different domains to help you master the concept of cloud architecture and lead you on the right path to becoming a senior cloud security architect.
