With the expansion of cloud computing, Cloud DevOps engineers are in high demand with companies looking to improve their cloud-based systems and processes. As per Statista, the second most popular demanded tech skill by recruiters in 2023 was DevOps. At the same time, over 22.6 per cent of recruiters were looking to hire people with cloud computing skills.
As you set your sights on pursuing a career as a Cloud DevOps Engineer, you might find yourself asking: What technical skills do I need to succeed? How do I explore cloud computing and development practices?
We’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will unravel the key components that define a successful Cloud DevOps Engineer. From cloud platform proficiency and automation expertise to agile methodologies and security best practices, we’ll equip you with the essential tools to flourish in this exciting and in-demand field.
What is a Cloud DevOps Engineer?
A Cloud DevOps Engineer is a professional who combines expertise in cloud computing, software development, and IT operations. They play an important role to bridge the gap between development teams and IT operations, facilitating seamless integration of cloud infrastructure and continuous delivery of software applications.
Steps to Become a Successful DevOps Engineer:
1. Lay the Foundation
Learn about the various cloud platforms, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and others, to start your journey. Learn about fundamental ideas in the cloud, such as virtualization, networking, storage, and security.
Develop Your Programming Skills to use automation and scripting technologies. To create scripts and automate processes, learn well-known programming languages like Python, Ruby, Java, or JavaScript.
Understand the Version Control Systems and learn about version control tools like Git, which are essential for maintaining and monitoring changes in codebases, and practise using them.
2. Develop DevOps Methodologies
Recognise the benefits of collaboration, iterative development, and quick deployment provided by the Agile software development technique. Discover the Kanban and Scrum frameworks.
Explore CI/CD concepts and the technologies that enable automated application development, testing, and deployment, such as Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Development), or CircleCI.
Learn about IaC (Infrastructure as Code) technologies like Terraform and AWS CloudFormation, which let you create and manage infrastructure using code, and adopt IaC.
3. Acquire Cloud Platform Proficiency
Select one major cloud platform to specialise in based on your interests and market demand. AWS, Azure, and GCP are some of the most popular choices.
Practise deploying virtual machines, configuring networks, setting up databases, and managing resources on your chosen cloud platform. Create and manage cloud services to gain practical experience.
Learn about security best practices in the cloud, including identity and access management (IAM), encryption, network security, and compliance standards.
4. Enhance Your DevOps Toolbox
Explore containerization platforms like Docker and container orchestration tools like Kubernetes. Containers enable consistent deployment across various environments, making them essential in modern DevOps practices.
Familiarise yourself with monitoring and logging solutions like Prometheus (Monitoring and alerting toolkit), Grafana (Data visualisation platform), the ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana) (Log management solution), or cloud-native monitoring services provided by the cloud platform.
5. Collaborate and Communicate Effectively
Develop strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including developers, system administrators, and other stakeholders.
Sharpen your problem-solving abilities and learn to troubleshoot issues efficiently. Root-cause analysis is a crucial skill for resolving complex problems.
6. Pursue Certifications
Consider pursuing industry-recognised certifications in your chosen cloud platform, such as:
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
- Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer
- Google Professional DevOps Engineer
- Docker Certified Associate (DCA)
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Puppet Certified Professional
7. Learn Configuration Management
Get acquainted with configuration management tools like Ansible, Chef, or Puppet. These tools automate the process of configuring and managing servers, making it easier to maintain consistency and scalability in the infrastructure.
Explore automation techniques to manage and scale cloud resources dynamically. Tools like AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, or Google Cloud Functions can help you achieve serverless architecture and auto-scaling capabilities.
8. Implement Continuous Monitoring and Feedback
Master the art of continuous monitoring to track application performance, infrastructure health, and other crucial metrics. Monitor application logs, server metrics, and user experience to detect issues proactively.
Build a feedback loop to collect insights from end-users and stakeholders. Utilise tools like customer feedback surveys, user analytics, and error reporting to improve the application’s performance and user experience.
9. Practise Cloud Cost Optimisation
Learn to monitor and optimise cloud costs effectively. Familiarise yourself with tools like AWS Cost Explorer, Azure Cost Management, or GCP (Google Cloud Platform) Billing to track expenses and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
Understand how to right-size cloud resources to match actual workloads. This involves optimising the allocation of resources like compute instances and storage to save on costs without sacrificing performance.
10. Embrace Security Best Practises
Adopt secure coding practices to minimise vulnerabilities in the application code. Learn about the OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) Top 10 and follow security guidelines for your chosen programming language.
Integrate security practises into the entire DevOps lifecycle. Collaborate with security teams to implement security checks in the CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Development) pipeline and automate security testing.
11. Gain Real-World Experience
- Work on personal projects to apply your skills and build a portfolio. These projects can showcase your abilities and dedication to potential employers.
- Contribute to open-source projects related to DevOps tools and cloud technologies. Engaging with the community enhances your skills and visibility in the industry.
12. Network and Stay Updated
Participate in DevOps meetups, conferences, and webinars to expand your knowledge, learn from experts, and network with like-minded professionals.
Follow influential DevOps blogs, podcasts, and online forums to stay updated on the latest trends, tools, and best practices in the Cloud DevOps domain.
Salary Prospects for Cloud DevOps Engineers
As a Cloud DevOps Engineer, your skill set and expertise are in high demand, making it a well-paying career choice. The average salary for Cloud DevOps Engineers can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the organisation.
As per AmbitionBox, the average yearly salary for a cloud devops engineer in India is 7.0 Lakhs, with salaries ranging from 3.8 Lakhs to 17.8 Lakhs.
Job Role of a Cloud DevOps Engineer
The role of a Cloud DevOps Engineer is multifaceted, bridging the gap between cloud computing and development operations. Here are the key points defining their responsibilities:
1. Design, implement, and manage cloud-based infrastructure using platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP to ensure scalable and reliable services.
2. Automate the software delivery pipeline, enabling seamless code integration, testing, and deployment for faster and more frequent releases.
3. Utilise tools like Ansible, Chef, Puppet, or Terraform to automate the provisioning and configuration of cloud resources, streamlining operations.
4. Monitoring and performance optimisation.
5. Security and compliance.
6. Incident response and troubleshooting.
7. Work closely with development, operations, and other cross-functional teams to foster a culture of collaboration and support a DevOps culture.
8. Embrace agile principles to drive collaboration, iterative development, and frequent feedback loops for continuous improvement.
9. Containerization.
10. Disaster recovery and backup.
11. Cost optimisation.
Wrapping it up,
Becoming a Cloud DevOps Engineer requires a diverse skill set, combining cloud computing, development, and operations expertise. Following this comprehensive guide will set you on the right path to acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this dynamic and rewarding field.
Remember that continuous learning and hands-on experience are key to staying relevant and mastering the art of Cloud DevOps. Embrace the DevOps culture, keep up with the latest trends, and never stop growing as a professional in this exciting domain. Good luck on your journey to becoming a Cloud DevOps Engineer!