Everything You Need to Know About the Azure Certification Path in 2021

Are you interested in exploring the Azure certification path in 2021? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of the Azure certification path, including the different certifications available and their requirements. We’ll also discuss the benefits of obtaining an Azure certification, and how to get started on the path. By the end of this post, you’ll have a good understanding of the Azure certification path and how to pursue it.

The Three Tiers of Azure Certification

Azure certifications are divided into three tiers: associate, specialist, and expert. Each tier represents a different level of expertise in the cloud platform. Understanding the distinctions between these tiers can help you create an effective Azure certification path that meets your specific needs and goals.

The associate level certification focuses on the fundamentals of Azure and is ideal for those who are just getting started with the cloud platform. This level of certification is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the concepts and tools related to Azure. Certifications at the associate level include: Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Associate.

The specialist level certification is designed to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in a specific area of Azure. This level of certification is ideal for experienced IT professionals who want to show their expertise in a particular topic. Certifications at the specialist level include: Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate.

The expert level certification is designed to demonstrate mastery in a specific area of Azure. This level of certification is ideal for experienced IT professionals who want to show their deep expertise in a particular topic. Certifications at the expert level include: Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert and Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.

Associate Level

The Associate Level of Azure certification is the starting point for many aspiring cloud professionals. This certification offers an understanding of the core concepts of cloud computing and Azure technology. It covers a variety of cloud-based services and technologies such as Computer, Networking, Storage, Security, Databases, and more.

Azure Associate certifications are broken into four main categories:

  1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals: This certification provides a basic understanding of cloud computing concepts, Azure services, and security. It is suitable for anyone looking to gain a broad understanding of cloud concepts and Azure features.
  2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate: This certification focuses on the skills required to deploy, manage, and monitor an organization’s Azure resources. It requires knowledge of the core Azure services, as well as the ability to maintain security and reliability in the cloud.
  3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate: This certification focuses on the development of cloud applications and services that use the Azure platform. It requires knowledge of development tools and languages such as Visual Studio, PowerShell, and C#.
  4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert: This certification focuses on the design and implementation of scalable solutions on the Azure platform. It requires knowledge of both designing and implementing solutions on Azure, as well as managing the resources involved in creating them.

This Associate Level provides an overview of cloud concepts, as well as the foundational knowledge necessary for Azure solutions. It serves as a solid foundation for more advanced Azure certifications down the line.

Specialist Level

The Specialist level of the Azure certification path is designed for professionals who are looking to further their expertise in specific areas of Azure. This certification focuses on more specialized roles, such as data engineers and security engineers.

At the Specialist level, there are five certifications available. These are: Azure Data Engineer, Azure Database Administrator, Azure Security Engineer, Azure AI Engineer, and Azure DevOps Engineer. Each certification will require a specialized knowledge base and a proctored exam to certify.

Azure Data Engineer: The Data Engineer certification covers the skills needed to design, develop, and operate databases on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. It covers topics such as collecting data, transforming data into a usable format, managing databases and creating data pipelines.

Azure Database Administrator: The Database Administrator certification covers the skills required to manage, monitor and maintain databases on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. It covers topics such as database creation, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization.

Azure Security Engineer: The Security Engineer certification covers the skills needed to secure the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. It covers topics such as identity and access management, network security, and monitoring security threats.

Azure AI Engineer: The AI Engineer certification covers the skills needed to design and implement AI solutions on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. It covers topics such as machine learning algorithms, natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision algorithms.

Azure DevOps Engineer: The DevOps Engineer certification covers the skills needed to automate the development, deployment and operation of applications on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. It covers topics such as continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), automated testing and monitoring of applications.

By obtaining one or more of these certifications, you will be able to demonstrate that you possess a high level of technical knowledge in the specific area you have chosen to focus on. This is invaluable for any aspiring Azure professional looking to advance their career.

Expert Level

The Expert Level of Azure Certification is designed for experienced professionals who already possess in-depth knowledge of the cloud platform. It requires knowledge and experience with multiple Azure services and a deep understanding of how they interact to solve complex business problems.

In order to achieve an Expert Level certification, you will need to pass two or more exams. The exams for Expert Level certifications are focused on very specific topics, such as deploying hybrid identities, security operations, and identity management. The exams also require a higher degree of problem-solving skills and a more in-depth understanding of cloud technology.

The Expert Level certification also has prerequisites. Candidates must have already earned an Associate-level certification, as well as five years of hands-on experience in designing, developing, and managing solutions that leverage the Azure platform.

The Expert Level of Azure Certification is the most difficult and advanced level of certification available. It requires significant knowledge and experience with the cloud platform and is essential for those looking to advance their careers in cloud computing. Those who earn this certification will be qualified to work in senior roles as technical architects, cloud solution architects, and other expert roles within the industry.