A cloud architect is an IT specialist who develops computing strategies, which incorporates cloud adoption plans, application design, management, and monitoring. Additional responsibilities include support for application architecture and deployment in cloud environments.
The cloud architect also assists with cloud environments such as the public, private, and hybrid clouds. This professional draws on solid knowledge of the company’s cloud architecture and platform when designing and developing dynamic cloud solutions.
A cloud architect should have solid knowledge about the concepts and moving parts involved in continuous integration and delivery. They must offer expert guidance to development teams regarding infrastructure, take responsibility for IT environments throughout their lifecycles, and determine the types of systems that organizations may need for their business goals.
Job Responsibilities
The cloud architect role is relatively new in software development. Their foremost responsibility is to plan, design, and assist with all cloud environments. They also must understand infrastructure concepts so they can provide expertise to build and release infrastructure to development teams.
Introduce Cloud Adoption
The cloud architect drives the introduction of the cloud infrastructure within a company’s computing environment. It is the architect’s responsibility to support the adoption of cloud technology and work towards the ease of use of cloud technologies. The professional develops new usage patterns, plays an active role in the everyday use of cloud services, and ensures that cloud services are efficiently running 24/7.
Develop and Coordinate Cloud Architecture
A cloud architect develops and coordinates cloud architecture across diverse areas including application development, identity and access management, and network and data management. They often work in coordination with other departments to implement all architecture changes, which requires them to have a good rapport with other architects and support them in their respective fields.
Cloud Strategy and Coordinate Adoption
Cloud architects communicate where cloud services will benefit an organization and create processes to build and assess which applications will access cloud computing. They should identify any comprehensive risks and develop a risk-mitigation mapping matrix to avoid them. They are also responsible for working in coordination with the IT security and risk departments. A cloud architect will also develop a methodology to automate cloud services and ensure that any errors will not impact the speed and agility of cloud benefits.
Educational Qualifications
Employers usually prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, electronics or telecommunications. Some organizations also take into consideration relevant work experience or a master’s degree in engineering. For some advanced cloud architecture positions, some organizations opt for candidates with a master’s degree in business administration as well.
Additional Skills
Knowledge of Operating System
The candidates must have a good understanding of operating systems, such as Linux, Unix, Solaris, Ubuntu, and Windows. It is essential to be familiar with the concepts, pros, and cons of the various operating systems.
Good Understanding of Networking
Having proper knowledge of TCP/IP, IP addresses, HTTP, and DNS is an important advantage.
Security
Security is considered one of the essential aspects of cloud technology and cloud architects must have solid knowledge of vital security concepts, firewall, and other security components.
Strong Technical Skills in Enterprise Computing
Cloud architects must be knowledgeable in the building blocks of IT, such as client systems and applications, networking, infrastructure, data centers, programming languages, web tools, and technologies.
Cloud Architect Certification
Becoming a cloud certified professional will give your career an edge. These certifications validate your cloud skills, knowledge, and expertise to employers. You should consider the following certifications:
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Cloud Platform and Infrastructure.
- Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect.
- IBM Certified Cloud Solution Architect v2.
- Salesforce Certifications
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Architect Associate Certification.
- Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenStack.
- CompTIA Cloud Essentials
- VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization Exam.
Cloud Architect Salary & Job Outlook
According to Payscale, the cloud architect’s average annual salary is $128K, and the salary can range from $81K to $187K. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be a 13 percent increase in job opportunities between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than average for all other occupations. As more companies opt for cloud computing, the demand for cloud architects will increase and their salaries will as well.
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