Cloud computing jobs are trending in the market as organizations shift their businesses from local servers and data centers to cloud services like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform. Owing to this, there is an increase in demand for cloud architects in the IT industry and more students are shifting towards this. But what does a cloud architect do?
As it is becoming more apparent, the job role of a cloud architect is not limited to just implementing a cloud service or migrating the data from local servers to the cloud platform. Instead, this job profile is a mix-up of all the major activities surrounding the cloud and much more than that. So, before you sign up for a cloud architect training course, it becomes imperative to be clear about this.
Your journey as a Cloud Architect will be a roller-coaster ride, as you will be dealing with both clients and upper management and will serve as a significant link between them. Due to the enormous importance of this role, cloud jobs had seen a rise of 42% in the previous 3 years, as the data from Indeed shows. The cloud industry is still showing a CAGR of 17.5% and is expected to cross the $300 billion mark soon.
However, before we dig into the day-to-day tasks of a cloud architect, let’s make sure that we all are on the same page regarding knowing what cloud exactly is.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud is the go-to technology to access your resources from any device at any time and any place. It acts as an alternative to local servers as you can upload your file to the internet and even share them with anyone you want. Cloud services are of 3 significant types:
- Public Cloud: Hosted by a 3rd party and shared by many organizations. The most popular public clouds are Microsoft Azure, Amazon’s AWS, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Private Cloud: These are hosted by the organization itself or a 3rd party. Private clouds are restricted to just 1 organization, which has full access to its storage and services.
- Hybrid Cloud: It is an amalgamation of services of both a private cloud and public cloud.
Demand for cloud services is propelling mainly due to 2 reasons. First, increasing cybersecurity threats are making organizations shift to the cloud as they offer better security. Second, the cloud provides easy access to company resources when everyone works from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the significant benefits of migrating your servers to the cloud are listed below.
- Shifting to the cloud reduces costs significantly as you do not need to maintain local servers anymore.
- With the assurance of big names like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, cloud servers offer far better security to your data than the local servers.
- Cloud gives you the flexibility to work from anywhere on any device, as all your data is present on the internet, and you need to log in to access it.
What are the Different Job Roles in Cloud Computing?
As the cloud is an umbrella term for various functions, there are multiple job roles under it. Some of the significant cloud-related jobs are:
- Cloud Architect
- Cloud Network Administrator
- Cloud Security Expert
- Cloud Developer
- Cloud Database Administrator
- Cloud Consultant
- Cloud Support
- DevOps Engineer
- AI Architect
- IoT Engineer
All these job designations are unique in their respective domains. However, the biggest craze is becoming a Cloud Architect as this job role is a blend of various subdomains in the IT industry and offers the most lucrative salary packages. Continue reading to find out what exactly cloud architects do.
Cloud Architect: Job Description, Roles and Responsibilities
A cloud architect is the backbone of an organization and serves as an essential link between its various departments. The key job roles of an architect in cloud computing are mentioned below.
- Cloud Architect looks after the overall strategy for cloud computing. This includes planning which platform to adopt, designing applications, migrating the services to the cloud, and monitoring them afterward.
- They act as consultants to organizations, providing information and answer to all the queries. Cloud architects need to be aware of all the latest developments in the industry.
- A significant proportion of their time goes into meeting with both clients and the company management. Cloud architects look after clients’ concerns and make adequate changes in solutions and services from time to time.
- Cloud architects are also responsible for looking for the budgetary plans of the organization for the cloud services. This is essential so that they do not end up draining the reserves to deliver the best and superior services.
- These professionals can also be asked to do legal dealings like contract negotiations and agreements with legal departments.
- One of the most important job roles of a Cloud Architect is to guide a team full of sharp minds in various subdomains like Administration, Networking, Development, and Support.
- They are the go-to person to find solutions whenever the team members face any doubt.
- Cloud architects also look after various vulnerabilities in the system and develop strategies to avert all kinds of risks.
In addition to this, cloud architects are also responsible for identifying different opportunities to scale the system and hence the business.
What are the Skills Required to Become a Cloud Solution Architect?
As is evident from the points above, a Cloud Solution Architect needs to be a jack of all trades to lead the organization to a successful journey. Some of the key skills required to become a cloud architect are:
- Strong proficiency in programming languages like Java, Ruby, Python, .Net, C++, etc.
- Networking concepts like IP addresses, various protocols, TCP/UDP transfer of packets, HTTP, DNS, etc.
- Business acumen to deal with clients and company management.
- Communication and leadership skills to effectively put forward your point and guide a team rich in talent.
- Knowledge of different operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Ubuntu, and Fedora.
- Firewall and various other security concepts.
Not to mention, cloud architects should know all the different cloud computing platforms like Azure, AWS, and GCP. These architects are also required to possess a degree in Computer Science to grab a good job opportunity. Although, many organizations offer jobs just based on skills.
For those wondering how to become a cloud architect, the best way is to enroll in an excellent online cloud architect training course. These courses can be completed from the comfort of the house and at your own pace in many cases. After completing the course requirements, you need to appear for the exam of Azure, AWS or GCP, whichever you want. Cheers!!! Once you clear the exam, you are a certified Cloud Solution Architect.
In the current times, a cloud architect can earn a handsome salary anywhere between ₹12,00,000 to ₹20,00,000. So if you are also interested in this field, join a course now.
