The growth of the cloud computing platform has created a unique opportunity to capitalize on the market for IT professionals. Amongst other on demand jobs, one particular category is seeing an upward trend, it’s for Azure certified professionals.As per Glassdoor, the average pay for an Azure professional is upward of INR 45 lakhs annually, making it a great investment for IT professionals. Obtaining Microsoft Azure certifications are, therefore, a lucrative option for proving your skills and advancing your careers.Technological advancements have boosted the IT sector, helping businesses shift their operations online. Microsoft Azure is a leading platform that facilitates this ongoing digital transformation. As a cloud computing giant, Microsoft Azure presents a fast, safe, and cheap alternative to on-field business operations. It holds 21% of the market share and has around 1 billion users worldwide. What Is Microsoft Azure Certification?Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service and platform that enables you to run, build, and manage applications with the tools and frameworks of your choice. A Microsoft Azure certificate is proof of any IT, data, AI or a developer’s professional skills and knowledge about the Microsoft Azure platform. Microsoft Azure is one of the best azure certificates for professionals looking to level up their skills. These certifications are achieved by passing comprehensive exams along the Azure certification path. They are preceded by training courses that help you handle the cloud computing system and provide cloud-based services to advance your career. Microsoft Azure certifications are divided into three levels: FundamentalAssociateExpert And recently, Azure introduced Specialty and Role-Based certifications in their azure courses list.Attaining Microsoft’s Azure certification boosts your credibility by showing your working knowledge of Azure's services, architecture, governance, and management. Importance of Microsoft Azure CertificationOffering services and applications like Azure boards, test plans, pipelines and more, Microsoft Azure is the ultimate business success mantra today. In 2024, businesses expect:Rapid expansion.Significant market share.Increased operational efficiency. And higher security. Achieving notable growth in a short span requires streamlined operations, processes, and platform dependency, across each touchpoint. In 2023, the cloud computing market was valued at a whopping USD $587.78 billion. These numbers clearly state the importance of cloud computing in this rapidly growing market. Undoubtedly, Microsoft Azure is the leading global cloud vendor, its advanced technological capabilities make it the top choice. Any individual holding an Azure certification has proof and validation of their skill set. Flexera’s 2024 State of the Cloud Report showcases an 80% spike in Azure’s adoption rate. It also indicates that is the first time that a cloud service provider reaches the 80% adoption rate. Clearly, the Azure platform experts that can leverage the platform are in high demand across the globe. As an aspiring Azure certificate holder, obtaining a certificate would be a great addition to your skill set and resume. Now, let’s understand the benefits of an Azure certificate. Microsoft offers free Azure courses that prepare you for the examination and provide all necessary details, including theoretical and practical knowledge assets. There are various certifications options to select from based on your current knowledge, we will talk about them in the next section. Based on your current knowledge and level of advancement, you have the opportunity to attain multiple certificates to advance in your career. There are certain benefits you can expect upon being Azure certified:Career growth opportunitiesSharpened skill setsIncreased visibility and recognitionAdaptability and Problem-solving abilitiesA competitive edge Higher earning potential Azure Certification PathAs stated earlier, Azure certifications are divided into three levels. These include:Fundamental-Level CertificationsAmongst the Azure certifications list, fundamental-level certificates are ideal for beginners or professionals without an IT background. These training sessions provide the groundwork for launching your career in cloud computing. At the fundamental level, you get introduced to concepts like Azure resource management, disaster recovery, fault tolerance, and scalability. Microsoft Azure fundamentals training include:Azure Fundamentals AZ-900This exam assesses your knowledge of fundamental concepts such as scalability, disaster recovery, high availability, use of Azure’s main products, differences between cloud types, Azure DDoS protection, firewall, and Network Security Group. Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900In this certification course, you learn about the core components of data, analytics, and management such as modern data warehouse, data ingestion, and processing.Azure AI Fundamentals AI-900Through this certification, you can gather knowledge about AI workloads, considerations, features of conversational AI workloads, NLP workloads, and the fundamental principles of machine learning using Azure. Basically, you are on top of all things AI.Associate-Level Azure CertificationsThe associate-level certifications are available for IT professionals who have a solid foundation in Microsoft Azure. It’s relatively advanced than Azure fundamental certifications and it can enhance your career.. Different certifications include:Azure Data Scientist Associate DP-100This exam assesses your ability to perform, explore, extract, scale, evaluate and more data science tasks leveraging Azure Machine Learning (ML) Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300For this certification exam, you should gain knowledge and skills at an operational level of data platform solutions like monitoring activities, configuring resources for optimal performance, reviewing queries, database tables, and index design, and implementing HADR strategy for continuous service. You need to learn about solutions built with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services.Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500In this Azure certification path you learn how to manage and configure cloud-based data infrastructure and security for applications. You gain expertise on Azure operational processes and Azure services.Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104As a part of this certification, you must build expertise in owning, implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing Azure compute resources. Honing skills like monitoring and backing up Azure resources, maintaining Azure governance, and identities, and managing and configuring virtual networking. Azure Developer Associate AZ-204With this certification, you enhance your developer skills and learn about Azure storage solutions and implementing Azure security.Azure AI Engineer Associate AZ-102With this Azure certification, you build the ability to implement NLP, knowledge mining, conversational AI, computer vision, and every other AI solution within the Azure environment.Azure Data Engineer Associate DP-203In this training, you can learn about storing and using datasets for analysis, and managing data pipelines and data stores. Expert-Level CertificationsExpert-level Azure certifications have been developed for professionals with a strong background in the cloud, associate-level certifications, and hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure. These certifications include:Azure DevOps Engineer Expert AZ-400With this certification, you build on your experience as an infrastructure developer. Your knowledge horizon extends to Azure control management, security and compliance plans, cloud hosting infrastructure, instrumentation and SRE strategies, and continuous integration.Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305In this expert Azure certification you master skills in designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure. Along with Azure strategy, configuring Azure Kubernetes services, designing infrastructure, configuring serverless computing and DevOps processes. Besides these three levels of certifications, you can choose from different Specialty and Role-based certifications offered by Microsoft. Specialty CertificationsIn the Microsoft Azure Certification path, you can also focus on different specialized and advanced concepts, including:Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty AZ-720Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty DP-420Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty AZ-140Azure IoT Developer Specialty AZ-220Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty AZ-120Role-Based Certifications These certifications provide role-based knowledge and expertise to candidates working in unrelated fields and include:Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst AssociateMicrosoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator AssociateCost for Azure CertificationCertification LevelCertification NameExam CodeCost (USD)Cost (INR)PrerequisitesFundamentalAzure FundamentalsAZ-900$99₹8,200None Azure AI FundamentalsAI-900$99₹8,200None Azure Data FundamentalsDP-900$99₹8,200NoneAssociateAzure Administrator AssociateAZ-104$165₹13,700None (AZ-900 recommended) Azure Developer AssociateAZ-204$165₹13,7001-2 years of development experience Azure Security Engineer AssociateAZ-500$165₹13,700None (AZ-900 recommended) Azure Data Scientist AssociateDP-100$165₹13,700Experience in data science and using Azure ML Azure Database Administrator AssociateDP-300$165₹13,700NoneExpertAzure Solutions Architect ExpertAZ-305$165₹13,700AZ-104 and AZ-204 recommended Azure DevOps Engineer ExpertAZ-400$165₹13,700Experience with Azure DevOpsSpecialtyAzure IoT Developer SpecialtyAZ-220$165₹13,700None Azure AI Engineer AssociateAI-102$165₹13,700None (AI-900 recommended)Study Resources for Azure CertificationResourceDescriptionFeesMicrosoft LearnFree, self-paced learning paths and modules.FreeAzure DocumentationIn-depth technical guides and tutorials.FreePluralsightCourses and practice exams.$29/month or $299/yearUdemyVarious courses for specific certifications.Varies (typically $10-$200 per course)A Cloud GuruVideo lessons, labs, and practice exams.$49/month or $499/yearLinkedIn LearningProfessional courses and practice tests.$39.99/month or $240/yearExam Ref BooksOfficial Microsoft books for exam preparation.$30-$60 per bookYouTubeChannels like Microsoft Azure, John Savill, Adam Marczak.FreePractice LabsHands-on labs to practice Azure skills.$39/monthAzure CommunityForums like Microsoft Tech Community and Reddit.FreeWhy Should You Learn Microsoft Azure?Here are 5 reasons why you should consider a career in cloud computing and earn a Microsoft Azure certificate:Career Versatility: Whether you’re interested in website development, enterprise solutions, or data analytics of IoT, Azure offers a comprehensive suite of services, catering to a wide range of industries and applications. This certification has the potential to shape your skills overall. Credibility: Microsoft has a reputation and a solid track record of delivering reliable cloud services. Microsoft Azure is built on a global infrastructure with multiple data centers, ensuring availability and disaster recovery. Ultimately your resume will gain a positive uplift through Azure certificate. Security: Security is a top priority for any organization, and Microsoft Azure provides robust security features to protect your data and applications. As the world moves towards higher security and privacy norms, your skill sets will be in high demand. Cost-Effectiveness: Azure offers flexible pricing models, allowing you to optimize costs based on your usage patterns. This flexibility ensures you only pay for the bandwidth you consume.Integration: Azure seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products and services, making it a natural choice for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. With the vast canvas of Microsoft tools, you can make a powerful impact with your knowledge. Azure Certification ProcedureMicrosoft Azure certification path is designed to help expand your knowledge and skills to advance your career. Therefore, it is vital to choose the right certification based on your:Current skill levelsCareer goals Market DemandLearning StyleFuture Growth Plan with the certificationOnce you have decided on the career path you want, may it be a data scientist, security engineer, database engineer, AI engineer, or cloud administrator, you can apply for the associated certification exam. You can start on your journey to Azure certification by meeting the prerequisites for the level of certification you desire, and then sign up for and take the certification exam. You will need to stay certified by renewing your certificate each year. Get trainingThe fundamental-level certifications require basic knowledge of the Microsoft Azure platform. You can take different certification courses to update your knowledge and develop the necessary skills.For associate-level certifications, you must have the required knowledge for which multiple online courses are available. On the other hand, for expert-level certifications, you need to pass the exam in addition to having an associate-level certification and on-field experience. You can directly enroll in Microsoft’s free online learning paths to help you prepare for their certification exams, including Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, Microsoft AI Fundamentals, and Microsoft Data Fundamentals. You can also attend their free virtual training events or enroll in paid instructor-led classes.Meet the prerequisitesAzure certifications lists recommend a certain level of expertise before you attempt the exam. These include related associate-level certifications and a certain number of years of experience.As of today, Fundamentals and Associate certification levels do not have prerequisites.As a measure, Microsoft recommends the following criteria before taking an exam:Have thorough knowledge of the exam skills.Enroll in practice assessments provided by Microsoft.Gain a basic functional understanding of Microsoft Azure with a trial subscription.Leverage Microsoft's learning resources to prepare for all certifications. Pass the certificationOnce you have gathered the required knowledge and skill set, you can apply for the exam. Once you clear the passing criteria you pass the exam, you will get your Microsoft Azure certification. All exams receive scores on a scale of 1 to 1,000; you need a minimum of 700 as a passing score.Maintain your credentialsIt is also vital to renew your Associate and Expert certifications to stay updated on Azure changes. You can renew your Azure certification through the free assessments portal on Microsoft. Soft Skills That Complement Microsoft Azure CertificationWhile technical skills are essential for Microsoft Azure certification, soft skills can make a significant difference, which will enhance your career prospects. Here are some crucial soft skills to develop that will complement Microsoft Azure Certification:Problem-Solving: A cloud computing environment deals with all possible complex technical issues, and the ability to pinpoint and solve those issues is vital. It demands a systematic approach to problem-solving while applying in-depth knowledge of Azure services and the best practices.Communication: Good communication skills with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders are one of the most vital skills. It involves writing as well as speaking ability and listening to other people's opinions.Adaptability: The cloud landscape keeps changing all the time; hence, being receptive to change by embracing new technologies and trends is extremely crucial. To achieve this, a learner and malleable mentality are required.Teamwork: Working together with others is essential to deliver successfully in a cloud environment. This includes a lot of interpersonal skills, building up relationships, and sharing knowledge and expertise.Customer Focus: Fulfillment of clients' needs lies at the heart of delivering effective cloud solutions. This requires empathy, high attention to detail, and delivering service at the highest quality.Impact of Azure Certification on Remote Work And Freelancing OpportunitiesMicrosoft Azure certification can substantially enhance your level of career prospects in remote work and freelancing. Such a demand for professionals has made the market very large for remote and freelancing. You could, of course, sit at the helm of being one of the demanded experts in the field by bagging clients all over the world, given you are certified in Azure.Moreover, getting certified in Azure offers immense opportunities for prospective career paths and flexibility. Whether to do remote work for a multinational corporation, freelance consulting for a myriad of clients, or even establish a consulting business, an Azure certification is the right route for all those who need that edge to excel in a career they want. Demonstrating your expertise on Azure can make you a trusted advisor to create a prosperous career under your control.Top Industries Adopting Microsoft AzureMicrosoft Azure has found widespread adoption across the following industries, from healthcare and financial services to retail, manufacturing, and government:Healthcare Sector: Azure has been used for patient data storage and analytics, development of AI-powered diagnostic software, and remote monitoring. This contributed to better outcomes and efficiency in costs. For example, hospitals have started applying Azure to come up with predictive models in an effort to find at-risk patients and intervene early.Financial Services: cloud-native applications, fraud detection, and risk management. The scalability and reliability of Azure allow banks and insurance companies to process large volumes of data and transactions. Further, using Azure's AI capabilities will help develop sophisticated fraud models for suspicious activity.Retail Industry: Azure helps companies power their e-commerce platforms, personalize the customer experience, and optimize supply chain management. Retailers use Azure to analyze the customer dataset so as to have proper recommendations, therefore maximizing customers' satisfaction and increasing sales. It optimizes supply chains by improving inventory control and transport charges.Manufacturing Industry: Azure is being used for IoT solutions, predictive maintenance, and quality control. Manufacturers link their machines in the cloud and collect data about what is happening on the shop floor by using Azure. These data can be further used to identify specific potential problems and schedule maintenance before they ever arise, thus reducing downtime and improving efficiency. Also, Azure is being used to develop quality control systems that will identify defects in any product before it is shipped.Government Sector: While using the cloud platform for cloud services, analytics of data, and overall cybersecurity, Azure is in use. These governments are utilizing Azure to deliver various essential services to citizens. The online tax filing and healthcare services provided to the citizens are some examples. The whole datasets are analyzed while using Azure to find trends and make improvements in decision-making. Its security features help protect sensitive government data from cyber threats.Trends and Future of Cloud Computing With AzureCloud computing is rapidly evolving; several key trends are leading to growth, the foremost of which is the increasing use of hybrid models. Companies need public clouds for flexibility and scalability and private clouds for security and control; this allows an organization to appropriately customize its cloud usage based on specific workloads or business requirements.Another very interesting emerging trend is edge computing, where the data is processed at the edge, closer to the source, reducing latency and enhancing responsiveness. This is very useful for applications requiring low latency, real-time processing, or low-latency communication.A new trend in the use of cloud-based solutions for processing and data analysis is represented by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), in addition to these existing developments. Azure is in a good position to profit from this trend thanks to its wide range of AI services. Azure extracts AI's potential by helping businesses innovate and make informed decisions. It does this by providing robust tools and infrastructure for developing, deploying, and maintaining AI models.Looking ahead, major advancements expected include cloud security, serverless computing, and quantum computing—all of which are going to shape up the landscape of cloud computing with Azure. With the importance of true security in the cloud, Azure will continue to upscale hardened security features to keep data and applications secure. Serverless computing is here to soar to the heights of development as it not only reduces costs of operation but eliminates infrastructure management. This is the research area of quantum computing, which holds hope to solve complex problems that are simply intractable for classical computers and will certainly revolutionize cloud computing in the future.Microsoft Azure certification can be applied in real job ScenariosCertification LevelCertification NameReal-World ApplicationFundamentalAzure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Basic understanding of cloud services, applicable for roles like sales, purchasing, and marketing of Azure services.AssociateAzure Administrator (AZ-104)Managing Azure identities, governance, storage, and computing and suitable for system administrators and IT professionals.AssociateAzure Developer (AZ-204)Designing, building, and maintaining cloud applications and services for software developers and application developers.AssociateAzure Security Engineer (AZ-500)Implementing security controls and threat protection for security engineers and analysts.ExpertAzure Solutions Architect (AZ-305)Designing and implementing solutions on Azure is ideal for solution architects and senior IT professionals.ExpertAzure DevOps Engineer (AZ-400)Combining people, processes, and technologies to deliver services and applications for DevOps engineers.SpecialtyAzure AI Engineer (AI-102)Implementing AI solutions applicable to AI engineers working on natural language processing, speech, computer vision, and more.SpecialtyAzure Data Engineer (DP-203)Designing and implementing data solutions for data engineers responsible for managing data on Azure.Role-BasedAzure Data Scientist (DP-100)Building and deploying machine learning models ideal for data scientists working with Azure Machine Learning.Job Opportunities and Salary ExpectationsCertificationJob RolesAverage Salary (USD)Average Salary (INR)Job Opportunities (per year)Azure FundamentalsAzure Administrator, Azure Developer$75,000 - $90,000₹55,00,000 - ₹66,00,00050,000+Azure AdministratorAzure Admin, Cloud Engineer$90,000 - $110,000₹66,00,000 - ₹81,00,00040,000+Azure DeveloperAzure Developer, Software Engineer$95,000 - $120,000₹69,00,000 - ₹88,00,00045,000+Azure Solutions ArchitectSolutions Architect, Cloud Architect$125,000 - $150,000₹91,00,000 - ₹1,10,00,00030,000+Azure DevOps EngineerDevOps Engineer, Release Manager$110,000 - $140,000₹81,00,000 - ₹1,02,00,00035,000+Azure Security EngineerSecurity Engineer, Security Administrator$100,000 - $130,000₹73,00,000 - ₹95,00,00025,000+Azure AI EngineerAI Engineer, Data Scientist$115,000 - $145,000₹84,00,000 - ₹1,06,00,00020,000+What are the path levels of Azure certification?Certification LevelCertificationsFundamental- Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Associate- Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)-Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)-Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)Specialty- Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)- Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)- Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220)Expert- Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)- Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)Community Support For Azure certificationResource TypeLinkForumsMicrosoft Tech CommunityStudy GroupsMeetup - Azure Study GroupsMentoring ProgramsPluralsight MentoringImportant Advice for Your Azure Certification JourneyThe cloud landscape is constantly evolving and earning an Azure certificate will ensure you’re ahead on all things cloud computing. Starting your Azure certification journey can be exciting but challenging. Here are some tips to help you succeed:Identify Your Goals: Amongst the available Azure certification options, select one that aligns with your career path. This will help you prioritize and focus your efforts. Build a Strong Foundation: Start with the fundamentals of cloud computing, you can opt for the expert-level certification, once you clear your basics. A solid foundation will ensure enhanced concepts of more advanced topics.Hands-On Experience: Azure certifications not only share essential theoretical knowledge but also provide practical experiences. You can sharpen your skills with hands-on labs and experiment with different Azure services.Leverage Free Resources: Microsoft offers a wealth of free learning resources, including tutorials, documentation, and practice exams. Make the most of these free resources that will help you excel in your career. Moreover, there are online communities and study groups that are packed with knowledge assets to help you stay motivated. Practice Exam Simulation: Identify your areas of improvement, by familiarizing yourself with the exam format and question types by taking practice exams.Time Management: Prioritize your certification, make time from your busy schedule, create a study schedule, and allocate specific time blocks for learning. Stay Updated: The cloud landscape is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest Azure features and updates to enhance your knowledge and skills. ConclusionMicrosoft Azure is a must-have if you want to excel in your career fast. Cloud computing is the future and Microsoft Azure certified professionals are in demand. You can start your journey today, with Microsoft’s free guides, curated to take you one step ahead.Read Morehttps://devopsden.io/article/what-is-role-of-devops-in-itFollow us onhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/devopsden/
