Google Associate Cloud Engineer Certification: The Best Way to Start Your Cloud Career in 2023


In today's rapidly advancing era, cloud computing has become an essential component for businesses of all sizes. Are you interested in pursuing a career in cloud computing?

The Google Associate Cloud Engineer Certification can be the best way to kick-start your cloud career. In this article, we will discuss everything you should know about Google Associate Cloud Engineer Certification. So, let’s get started!

What is the Google Associate Cloud Engineer Certification and what does it entail?

Certified as a Google Associate Cloud Engineer will mean demonstrating competency in working with Google Cloud. It includes the management of storage and databases, configuring security and storage, and setting up cloud solutions environments.

Associate cloud engineer certification deploys applications, monitors operations, and manages enterprise solutions. 

They use the command line and google cloud console to work on platform-based tasks to maintain the google-managed solutions. They plan and configure the cloud solutions and set up the cloud solution environment.

Who is considered the right candidate for the Cloud Engineer Certification?

The ideal candidate for the Cloud Engineer Certification should have a technical background and experience working with Google cloud services.

They should also have experience with scripting and automation tools and knowledge of infrastructure as code (IaC) concepts. 

Ultimately, the Google Cloud Engineer Certification is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their cloud computing expertise and are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest cloud technologies and best practices.

What skills and knowledge are required for this certification exam?

  • Understanding of GCP products and services

    A good understanding of GCP products and services is essential for certification. Candidates must have knowledge of key services such as Compute Engine, App Engine, Kubernetes Engine, Cloud Functions, and Cloud Storage.

  • Knowledge of cloud architecture

    Candidates must understand cloud architecture well, including virtual machines, containers, serverless computing, and microservices.

  • Experience with GCP management tools

    Candidates must have hands-on experience with GCP management tools, including the Cloud Console, Cloud Shell, Cloud SDK, and Cloud APIs.

  • Networking fundamentals

    Candidates must understand networking fundamentals, including IP addressing, subnets, routing, and firewall rules.

  • Security

    Candidates must know GCP security features and best practices, including identity and access management, encryption, and auditing.

  • Deployment and management

    Experience deploying and managing applications on GCP, including using deployment tools like Cloud Deployment Manager and Terraform.

  • Monitoring and logging

    They must be familiar with GCP monitoring and logging tools such as Stackdriver Logging, Monitoring, and Trace.

  • Troubleshooting

    Experience in troubleshooting issues with GCP resources and services, including using tools like Stackdriver Debugger and Cloud Trace.

What are the career paths of a Google Associate Cloud Engineer?

  • Cloud Architect

    Cloud Architects understand cloud architecture, security, and best practices and work closely with other teams to ensure that cloud solutions are aligned with business objectives.

  • Cloud Engineer

    Cloud Engineers work closely with development teams, operations teams, and other stakeholders to ensure that cloud infrastructure is secure, scalable, and reliable.

  • Cloud Developer

    Cloud Developers have experience working with tools such as Google Cloud Functions, Cloud Run, and App Engine and are proficient in programming languages.

  • DevOps Engineer

    DevOps Engineers are responsible for deploying and managing cloud infrastructure using tools such as Kubernetes and Terraform.

  • Solutions Architect

    Solutions Architects work closely with clients to understand their requirements and then develop customized solutions that meet those requirements.

What you need to know about the Cloud Engineer certification: An overview

As the cloud industry evolves rapidly, it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict its needs. In fact, with development experience, the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is worth the effort. Let’s look at the overview of Cloud Engineer certification: 

a. How to register for the exam?

When you are ready to register for an exam, follow these steps:

  1. 1

    Go to Google Cloud Certification, find the certification, and click Register.

  2. 2

    Some Google Cloud certifications are offered in multiple languages, so see that specific page for the list of available languages. Make a new account in Web assessor in that language’s Google cloud instance.

  3. 3

    Check the catalog and select the test you want to take through it. Then select the delivery method of your exam (Remote or physical from a testing center).

  4. 4

    Set your preferred test time, date, center, and location. Select your payment method.

  5. 5

    After the completion of registration. Kryterion sends you a confirmation email with your test taker authorization code. A code is always needed to start your exam in the testing center.

b. How much does the exam cost?

The Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam is a 2-hour long and costs USD 125. 

c. What topics are covered?

The Google Associate Cloud Engineer covered the following subjects, including:

Setting up a cloud solution environment

  • Setting up the accounts and cloud projects

  • Managing and creating projects

  • Setting up access control

  • Configuring cloud security and identity

Planning and configuring a cloud solution

  • Planning a GCP solution

  • Configuring network services

  • Setting up network services

  • Configuring and managing storage and database services

Deploying and implementing a cloud solution

  • Configuring and deploying containerized applications using Kubernetes

  • Managing application and monitoring

  • Implementing App Engine, Cloud functions resources, and cloud run

  • Deploying a solution using a cloud marketplace

  • Deploying application infrastructure using a cloud 

Ensuring the successful operation of a cloud solution

  • Logging GCP services and monitoring

  • Identification and troubleshooting of common GCP issues

  • Managing compute engineer resources

  • Managing Google Kubernetes Engine resources

  • Managing App Engine and cloud-run resources

  • Optimizing GCP performance

Configuring security and access

  • Configuring security and access controls for GCP services

  • Implementing IAM and security policies

  • Understanding audit logs

d. What is the duration of the exam?

The duration for the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam is 120 minutes (2hr).

e. What is the passing score?

To receive your certification, you must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher for many reasons.

f. What is the retake policy?

If you don’t pass the test, you can retake the test after two weeks, about 14 days. If you don’t pass it again, you must wait for the third time, almost 60 days. And if you don’t pass after all these attempts, wait for 365 days to reappear in the exam.

How to get started with the Google Associate Cloud Engineer in 2023?

To grow your career in 2023, Cloud is your best bet. Let’s see how you can prepare for your exam: 

1. Official study materials

The Google Cloud Platform is the best to prepare for certification. Let’s see how:

Google Cloud Certification website

Google Cloud Certification website provides detailed information about the certification, including the exam format, exam topics, and exam registration process.

Google Cloud documentation

Google Cloud documentation provides comprehensive information about GCP products and services, as well as best practices for designing and implementing solutions on GCP.

2. Online course providers

There are a lot of websites out there that offer courses to prepare for Cloud Engineer certification. Have a look at some of their courses: 

Udemy | GCP Associate Cloud Engineer - Google Cloud Certification

This course includes 17 hours on-demand video, 26 articles, full lifetime access, access on mobile and TV, and certificate of completion.

After this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of Google Cloud Platform and Associate Cloud Engineer. 

Pluralsight | Preparing for the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer Exam

This course includes lectures, demos and hands-on labs. After completing this course, you’ll understand the areas of topics covered in the exam and can pass the exam with flying colors.

3. Great Practice exams

The following are some of the best practice exams for Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification:

Udemy | GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Practice Exam

It contains5 practice exams with more than 400 practice questions. These practice exams are designed based on the real exam pattern so individuals can practice. After practicing for these exams, you can surely pass certification with flying colors. 

Testprep Training | Google Associate Cloud Engineer (GCP) Practice Exam

It contains practice questions to provide real-time experience to candidates so that they can get ready for the actual exam. After this exam, you can evaluate your skills and work on your weaknesses. 

4. Youtube tutorials for beginners

The following are the best tutorials for beginners who want to prepare for the Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification exam:

in28minutes - Cloud Made Easy | Associate Cloud Engineer Certification

It’s more than 1 and a half hour video divided into 25 steps that contain everything you need to know about this certification. After completing this video, you will be able to clear the exam.

Alpha Tutorials - Cloud | Google Associate Cloud Engineer Course

It is an 11 hours 46 minutes tutorial that contains everything you need to learn for Cloud engineer certification. After watching this video, you can pass certification with flying colors.

5. Helpful books for experienced

The following are the helpful books that can help you prepare for your Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification:

Dan Sullivan | Official Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Study Guide  

This book contains everything you need to prepare for the certification exam and master the skills that are necessary for that certification. Reading this book can help you pass the exam easily.

Jack Hyman | Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer All-in-One Exam Guide

This book contains every objective for Associate Cloud Engineer certification. Every topic is demonstrated with exercises, practice exams, and use cases. You can pass your exam by learning from this book.

What are the benefits of earning the Google Associate Cloud Engineer Certification?

  • Industry recognition

    The certification is recognized globally as a credible and industry-accepted standard for cloud computing skills.

  • Career advancement 

    It can open doors to new job opportunities and promotions. It demonstrates to employers that the individual deeply understands Google Cloud technologies and can apply them to real-world problems.

  • Enhanced skills

    The certification requires a comprehensive understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) technologies, which can improve an individual's skills in cloud computing and help them develop expertise in specific areas of GCP.

  • Confidence and credibility

    Earning the certification can boost an individual's confidence in their abilities and credibility with colleagues, managers, and clients.

  • Access to Google resources

    Google provides various resources and benefits to its certified professionals, including access to exclusive events, forums, and training materials.

What is the salary range of Certified Associate Cloud Engineers around the world?

Country

Average Salary/Year

usa

$116,805

uk

£55,000

germany

€89,418

south korea

KRW 80,448,476

india

₹4,18,213

australia

$135,000

Best strategies to advance in your cloud computing career in 2023

  • Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies

    Cloud computing is a rapidly evolving field, and it's crucial to stay current with the latest developments. Attend industry events, read relevant publications, and engage with the cloud computing community to stay informed.

  • Focus on new skills

    Continuously expanding your skillset is vital in cloud computing. Consider taking courses, certifications, and training programs to enhance your knowledge and skills in specific areas.

  • Build a strong network 

    Networking, including cloud computing, is essential in any career. Attend industry events, engage in online communities, and connect with industry professionals to expand your network and stay informed about job opportunities.

  • Develop a specialty

    Specializing in a particular area of cloud computing can help you stand out from the competition. Consider focusing on cybersecurity, data analytics, machine learning, or cloud migration.

  • Be open to new opportunities

    Take on new roles or projects that may stretch your skills and knowledge. Volunteering for challenging projects can help you gain experience and demonstrate your abilities.

  • Demonstrate your expertise

    Showcasing your knowledge and skills is crucial to advancing your cloud computing career. Consider publishing blogs, presenting at industry events, or contributing to open-source projects to demonstrate your expertise.

Conclusion

 With the ever-growing demand for skilled professionals in the cloud computing industry, this certification can help you stand out in a competitive job market and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. 

By staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, developing a specialty, and networking, you can position yourself for success in your cloud computing career.

About the author

Youssef

Youssef is a Senior Cloud Consultant & Founder of ITCertificate.org

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