7 Cloud Computing Skills to Know

The ability to access software applications, networking, analytics, and intelligence over the internet helps businesses scale quickly with flexibility. As organizations have increasingly shifted to cloud technologies in recent years, they’ve also cut costs on data storage centers and physical servers. This widespread cloud adoption has resulted in increased demand for professionals with cloud computing skills and expertise. In the following article, discover seven in-demand cloud computing skills and how you can learn them.

If you're working toward your first cloud computing role, consider earning credentials from one of the world's leading cloud service providers with the AWS Cloud Support Associate Professional Certificate program [1]. In as little as three months, you can master advanced troubleshooting techniques working with in-demand AWS tools and software.

7 cloud computing skills you should know

If you decide to pursue a career in cloud computing, you'll need to have a strong foundational knowledge in cloud infrastructure, cloud applications, and how computing resources are managed in a cloud environment. The following list outlines more specific technical skills to pursue that can help you sharpen your cloud expertise, plus the job titles that require them.

Want to learn more about the job opportunities available to you in cloud computing? Check out 6 Cloud Computing Roles (+ Tips to Get Started).

1. Cloud development programming languages

If you want to pursue jobs like cloud engineer or cloud developer, you'll need to learn popular programming languages in the industry to write code, build, and manage cloud applications. Examples of languages suitable for cloud software development include Python, JavaScript (especially with Node.js), and Ruby. If you're pursuing a job at a company that uses Microsoft Azure, C# can also be a great place to start. To build database-powered applications, you will need to understand SQL and data structures as well, and you may consider learning a scripting language.

If you're a software developer considering transitioning into cloud development, you can learn what you need to pass a Google certification exam through the online prep program, Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Developer Professional Certificate. In as little as two months, you'll learn your way around the Google cloud computing platform and application deployment environments such as Google Kubernetes engine. By the end, you'll earn a certificate for your study, whether you go on to take the Google certification exam or not.

2. Knowledge of cloud service providers

It’s a good idea to get familiar with the most popular cloud service platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure. That way, you can understand the differences between the providers and be able to advise companies or teams on which one is best suited for the organization's needs. Knowing the pros and cons of each can help you gain an advantage in your cloud computing career, and specializing in one of these platforms can also open job opportunities in organizations that already use one of the three.

You can compare and contrast these platforms in the article, What's the Difference Between AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud?

Unsure where to start? You can learn more about career opportunities in the cloud computing field and how to narrow down the best options for you in the University of Leeds' online course, How To Get Into Cloud Computing. This five-hour, self-paced course covers today's cloud applications, various roles to consider, and in-demand skills, plus insight from industry experts at Amazon Web Services and T5 Digital.

3. Database management skills

Cloud databases provide companies with the ability to scale and manipulate data efficiently, and you'll work with them often in your cloud computing career. If you want to pursue a job as a cloud data engineer or a cloud database administrator, you'll need to understand database types and services very well, including what they enable and how they work together. Examples of database tools and concepts you'll need to be familiar with include NoSQL, relational databases, and data warehousing. Cloud security is also a highly in-demand skill for this field.

4. Linux

Cloud professionals often work very closely with Linux, an open-source operating system (OS). Linux is a low or no-cost OS for easily customizable and secure app development. Knowing how to build, design, and deploy on Linux OS (alongside the more common Windows and MacOS) is an in-demand skill.

5. Information security

Just like in any data-based environment, information security (InfoSec) is important in cloud computing. If you want to become a cloud security engineer, you'll need to pay special attention to this area of focus. You’ll want to understand access and identity management so that personal information stored on the cloud is secure and protected. Cybersecurity is an in-demand skill set and career path as cloud computing technologies continue to rise and evolve.

Read more: 5 Cybersecurity Career Paths (and How to Get Started)

6. Cloud application programming interfaces (APIs)

Software applications and services interact with each other and exchange data with the help of APIs. These are widely used in modern software development for both tangible and cloud-based computing. If you want to program applications for the cloud or eventually become a cloud architect, you’ll want to know how to build and link different workloads onto the cloud using APIs. Common APIs for use in the cloud include GraphQL and REST.

7. DevOps

DevOps means “development and operations” and describes support staff who are integrated into the development process. In this field, you work with developers to provide design, development, and production support throughout the development lifecycle. These roles are crucial to push out app projects faster and more efficiently. Understanding the fundamentals of DevOps can help you troubleshoot your own issues as they may arise. DevOps skills can help you land a role as a cloud DevOps engineer.

Take the next step in your cloud computing career with Coursera

Ready to take on your first cloud computing role? Enroll in the AWS Cloud Support Associate Professional Certificate program to learn core AWS platform skills including troubleshooting, process implementation, and customer incident resolution.