8 Essential Skills for AWS Cloud Architects

8 Must-Have Skills for AWS Cloud Architects

Edited By Soumi Roy | Updated on May 30, 2024 12:34 PM IST | #AWS Foundation

Amazon Web Services or AWS is a secured cloud computing platform providing a wide array of cloud services to its customers which include growing startups, private enterprises, and even government agencies. With the help of AWS cloud architect skills storing data and applications on the cloud has become easier, faster, secure, and cost-effective.

This Story also Contains

What is AWS?
Who is an AWS Solutions Architect?
Top 8 Skills Required for AWS Cloud Architect
AWS Cloud Architect Skills Required
What are the prerequisites for an AWS Solution Architect?

8 Must-Have Skills for AWS Cloud Architects

It has become vital for tech companies to have AWS cloud architect skills as it handles IT-based needs and has a user-friendly interface with unlimited server capacity which requires having a cloud architect certification. Online courses and certifications are the affordable and flexible way to hone your AWS solution architect skills and talents and prepare you to pursue professional careers like Cloud Solution Architect.

In today’s time, AWS cloud architect skills are one of the most in-demand tech jobs. The work of an AWS architect is both a science and an art when taking proper AWS cloud architect certification. The AWS cloud architect course involves developing and designing cloud environments, managing and operating these systems, understanding what kind of functionality is required, assisting with cloud migration efforts, dealing with high-risk issues, etc.

Thus, the skills required for an AWS cloud architect can be achieved after pursuing a proper AWS cloud architect online course. In this article, for the reference of aspirants, the Careers360 Team has listed 8 skills required for AWS cloud architects. Before we proceed let us know what exactly is AWS, and who is an who is an AWS Solutions Architect.

What is AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is nothing but a combination of different cloud computing infrastructures. These infrastructures offer innovative products and services thereby providing business solutions for servers, networking, and remote computing services. AWS is the leader of the cloud computing space as it matches with cloud computing models like Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Who is an AWS Solutions Architect?

AWS Solutions Architect is responsible for deploying and managing an organisation's cloud computing architecture applications. He or she is an information technology professional who has the following responsibilities:

Finding a solution to the problems of businesses with technology implementation.
Identifying the programming language, and framework, for creating a solution.
Identifying the risks associated with third-party platforms.
Deciding the look and feel of the software.
Ensuring that infrastructure and architecture are properly maintained.
Monitoring systems so that the business can meet its goals.

Also Read:

Top 8 Skills Required for AWS Cloud Architect

To gain the skills required for cloud architecture, one must have an in-depth knowledge of cloud computing, its role, and its uses. You must have the necessary tech skills like networking, and knowledge of programming languages along with requisite soft skills which can be gained by the AWS cloud architect online course. Here is a consolidated AWS skills list required for a Cloud Solution Architect:

Java, Python, C#
Data Storage Fundamentals
Networking
Security Foundations
Cloud-specific patterns and technologies
AWS Service Selection
DevOps
Container

AWS Cloud Architect Skills Required

1. Java, Python, C#- First and foremost AWS's required skills for a cloud architect is the art of coding. He must be able to write codes in programming languages having an official AWS SDK like Java, Python, or C#. AWS SDK refers to the software tools that use AWS resources for creating applications and libraries. It is only when the AWS cloud architect understands programming that he can come up with logical solutions.

A good cloud architect will be able to use programming to demonstrate and investigate the use of the latest technologies.

2. Data Storage Fundamentals- Many data storage options are available in AWS; therefore, a good cloud architect must be able to know when to use each. AWS skills required must enable an understanding of how and when to use databases. A thorough knowledge of data storage fundamentals is necessary as you will have to compare and analyze the price, different capabilities, and performance and then choose the best available option to store data.

3. Networking- Understanding networking is yet another indispensable skill required for an AWS cloud architect. Without knowledge of networking, you will find it hard to develop secure cloud-based solutions. You should know everything about DNS, TCP/IP, HTTP, CDN, and VPC. Also, you should be able to use CloudFront (CDN), Virtual Private Cloud(VPC), and services like Route 53 (DNS) for designing cloud networking using public and private subnets, internet access, and VPC peering.

You can opt for the AWS cloud architect certification course to learn complex networking skills. This exam will cost $300 and you get 170 minutes to complete the exam. Abilities validated by this AWS cloud architect course include: designing, developing, and deploying cloud-based solutions using AWS designing and maintaining network architecture, etc.

Read More:

4. Security Foundations- To gain good AWS Cloud Architect skills, you should also learn about IAM (Identity and Access Management) which will aid you in ascertaining which resources can be accessed by which users and so on. To learn this skill, you can opt for the AWS Cloud Security Certification-Speciality. Two years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads is recommended for this certification.

This AWS cloud architect online course validates your ability to understand specialized data classification and AWS data protection mechanisms, secure internet protocols, data encryption methods, and trade-off decisions about cost, security, and deployment complexity given a set of application requirements.

5. Cloud-Specific Patterns and Technologies- This is undoubtedly the most essential skill required for AWS Cloud Architect. Cloud offerings describe the functionality that is offered by cloud providers for use by an application for processing workload, communication, and data storage. Cloud application architectures describe the structure of cloud applications and Cloud application management deals with the management of these applications.

A Cloud Architect must be well-versed in all these terms. You should be able to use the AWS infrastructure correctly for easy recovery and availability. You must also know how to use messages and how to handle failure to create cost-effective applications. You can pursue the various AWS cloud architect certification courses that are available online or take cloud training to learn cloud computing, and cloud management skills.

6. AWS Service Selection- There are front and back-end technologies involved in a cloud architecture that is backed by components provided by Amazon. A good AWS Cloud Architect should know what services are available and which of them would be relevant to a particular organization. This becomes a difficult task as Amazon keeps on releasing new services. However, every AWS architect must be aware of the basic services like SNS (notifications), SQS (simple queuing), and RDS (Relational Database Service).

7. DevOps- DevOps is the combination of practices, cultural philosophies, and tools to increase the ability of an organization to deliver applications and services at a faster pace. DevOps is a revolutionary model that has brought innovation to businesses. It focuses on development, integration, and deployment which is beneficial to the SaaS applications that thrive on cloud computing. This is one of the main AWS solutions architect skills.

8. Container- Containers are also important skills required for AWS Cloud Architects. Docker and Kubernetes are the most popular container tools. Containers allow businesses to create hybrid applications, package batch processing jobs, and scale machine learning models quickly. Containers let you run applications from one computing environment to another quickly and reliably.

AWS's container services which are integrated with AWS are also widely used as they leverage the breadth and depth of the AWS cloud from networking and security to monitoring. You can also opt for the various Docker and Kubernetes training courses that are available like Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Software Conformance (Certified Kubernetes), etc. to acquire and enhance this skill.

What are the prerequisites for an AWS Solution Architect?

There are no specific prerequisites for transforming into an AWS Solutions Architect, but having the following experiences and skills will significantly increase the chances of becoming successful. Here are some necessary skills

Technical Background
Familiarity with concepts in Cloud Computing
Hands-on experience working with AWS
Familiarity with Operating Systems concepts
Networking Experience
Scripting Experience
Database Experience

Popular Providers Offering AWS Foundation Certification Courses

Conclusion

AWS Cloud Architects are IT professionals earning high salaries who build and deploy plans and applications and monitor cloud activity within their organisation. These professionals must possess the core technical AWS skill sets including extensive knowledge of programming languages, fundamentals of cloud computing, cloud engineer certification, cloud certificates, etc.

However, at the same time, these professionals must be confident people possessing the good leadership skills required for AWS cloud architect. He or she should be able to explain his ideas to the stakeholders and be willing to experiment and take well-calculated risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long will it take to acquire AWS Cloud Architect Certification?

It totally depends on AWS cloud engineer skills, expertise, and how much hard work you are willing to put in for your preparation. Amazon recommends 6 months of experience in any role (technical and non-technical) for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam.

2. Other than the technical skills, what other skills are required to be a good AWS Cloud Architect?

Other than the technical skills like knowledge of programming languages, and fundamentals of cloud computing and management, other skills that you should have to be a good AWS Cloud Architect are time management, communication skills, decisiveness, business acumen, and a zeal to learn.

3. What kind of work does a Cloud Architect do?

Cloud Architects are the persons in charge of the cloud computing strategy of their organization. They work on planning, designing, maintaining, and security of cloud infrastructure.

4. Does one need coding skills for AWS architect?

Coding and Programming skills are not necessary to become an AWS solution architect. Some basic knowledge related to Linux and Windows can be accepted. To become an AWS architect, the candidates will definitely need basic technical skills.