Table of Contents1. Overview of AWS Associate Certifications2. Associate Certifications Breakdown3. Benefits of AWS Associate Certifications4. How to Prepare for AWS Associate Certifications5. Conclusion AWS Associate Certifications are a set of credentials provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that confirm a person's fundamental to intermediate skills and knowledge in different AWS services and technologies. 1. Overview of AWS Associate Certifications To truly cement your status as an ecosystem authority and unlock higher income opportunities, AWS Certification delivers unmatched value. Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers three associate-level certifications, namely: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate AWS Certified Developer – Associate AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Each certification by Amazon is designed with a particular job profile in mind. Which AWS Associate cert would be the best fit for my goals? 2. Associate Certifications Breakdown AWS Certified Developer - Associate is designed for software development professionals. This certification requires at least one year of hands-on experience in building, debugging, and optimizing cloud applications using AWS services. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate is targeting cloud operations engineers; this certification demands 1-2 years of practical AWS experience, including resource provisioning, system monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate is ideal for cloud architecture professionals. Candidates should master AWS high-availability design principles and possess 1+ years of practical experience in building cost-optimized, elastically scalable systems. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate The AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification is more suitable for IT professionals who have a proficient understanding of a wide range of AWS services and technologies. Key Skills Validated: Have expertise in AWS services covering computing, storage, and databases. Capable of deploying, monitoring, and managing resources on AWS. Familiar with the AWS Management Console, CLI, Well-Architected Framework, network configuration, and security solutions. Able to select appropriate AWS services based on technical requirements. AWS Certified Developer – Associate AWS Certified Developer – Associate focuses on skills related to developing, testing, and maintaining applications on the AWS platform. The AWS Certified Developer certification is an ideal choice for professionals aiming to build solutions on the AWS platform. Key Skills Validated: Design and optimize applications for AWS. Protect application code and data. Identify and resolve application issues. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate If you're a professional eager to work with AWS-built solutions, the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification is an ideal choice. It highlights deployment, management, and the smooth running of operations in AWS environments. Key Skills Validated: Knowledge of monitoring and metrics in AWS. Skills in designing fault-tolerant and highly available systems. Proficiency in troubleshooting and configuring IAM policies. 3. Benefits of AWS Associate Certifications Prove Your Expertise AWS Associate Level Certifications are the industry-standard validation of your AWS proficiency. This recognition is highly valued by employers, and recruiters prioritize AWS-certified candidates when they are hiring for IT positions. Master In-Demand Skills Securing an associate-level certification serves as a stepping stone to AWS specialty certifications. You can enhance your employer value by expanding your knowledge in areas such as machine learning, advanced networking and Alexa SkillBuilder, or data analytics. Power Your Side Projects an AWS certification, you can tackle ambitious projects that require robust server capabilities. Whether in machine learning, data analysis, or specialized domains, AWS skills elevate your project's potential. Unlock Lucrative Career Opportunities An AWS certificate opens the door to lucrative, sustainable career paths. As you earn additional certifications and deepen your expertise, you qualify for more advanced roles—boosting earning potential and securing a rewarding future. 4. How to Prepare for AWS Associate Certifications Review the Exam Blueprint AWS provides official exam outlines specifying the test domains and key knowledge areas, which help candidates focus their preparation effectively on the most critical topics. Gain Hands-on Experience Practical proficiency with AWS services is essential for exam success, so regularly working with core services like EC2, S3, and Lambda will build real-world competence. Enroll in Specialized Training Platforms like SPOTO offer tailored courses for each technical certification path, featuring hands-on labs and practice exams that simulate actual test conditions. Leverage AWS papers and documentation These resources provide in-depth insights into AWS best practices, including architecture frameworks and service-specific implementation guidelines for optimal cloud solutions. Engage with the AWS Community Participating in AWS forums and study groups yields valuable insights and support. 5. Conclusion AWS Associate Certification: Validate Your Cloud Expertise The AWS Associate certification serves as a critical benchmark for professionals to demonstrate their technical competencies in cloud computing. Covering core domains including architecture design, operational management, and security compliance, this certification helps credential holders stand out in the competitive IT job market. With structured learning and hands-on practice in real AWS environments, candidates can not only pass the exam but also build a strong foundation for pursuing advanced specialty certifications—unlocking high-value career opportunities in the era of digital transformation. It is advisable that you get fully ready, remain focused throughout, and accomplish your goals. For any concerns or questions, we're here for you and encourage you to contact us.  

Table of Contents1. What is a Cloud Engineer？2. Cloud Engineer responsibilities3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles4. How to Become a Cloud Engineer？ 1. What is a Cloud Engineer？ Cloud technology allows companies to store and back up data more easily. Software updates can also be made on demand and customers are able to access their information using different devices. Cloud engineers are IT specialists who build and maintain cloud computing applications and infrastructure. You will be working behind the scenes as a cloud engineer to maintain these systems. Cloud engineers design and build IT infrastructures for businesses. They also establish cloud services to speed up and scale operations. 2. Cloud Engineer responsibilities The roles and responsibilities of a cloud engineer involve performing a variety of tasks on a daily basis. The responsibilities of a cloud engineer include, but are not limited to: assessing the security of an enterprise's network and the possible risks, uploading the enterprise's business information to the cloud computing platform and establishing a simple data retrieval mechanism, keeping abreast of the progress in the field of cloud computing, and providing the best cloud computing solutions for enterprises and customers, maintaining and storing the company's data information through cloud computing, working with network security and IT personnel to jointly solve problems related to cloud application failures or security vulnerabilities, creating and installing cloud computing solutions according to the requirements of customers or employers, automating specific system operations to improve efficiency and speed, developing, building and implementing cloud-based modular applications, regularly evaluating computer systems and providing performance enhancement recommendations, etc. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1) Cloud Engineer Salary ZipRecruiter estimates that the average hourly wage of cloud engineers in the United States will be $62.89 on April 28, 2025. Hourly wages for cloud engineers can range anywhere from $87.26 to $23.56. However, most salaries are between $53.61 and $71.63 in the 25th percentile. Cloud engineers' average salaries can vary widely (up 18%). This means that there are many opportunities to advance and increase pay depending on the skill level, location and years of experience. (2) Job Outlook of Cloud Engineer Cloud computing has a bright future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cloud computing employment is expected to grow 15% between 2023 and 2033. This represents a faster-than-average growth in jobs. Each year, 356,700 additional job openings are predicted. This growth is driven by the increasing use of cloud services in businesses and the need for better ways to manage and analyze data. (3) Similar Occupations Cloud Architect DevOps Engineer DevOps Engineer Cloud Systems Engineer Cloud Consultant Software Engineer Systems Administrator Data Engineer Machine Learning Engineer Computer and Information Systems Manager Cloud Administrator 4. How to Become a Cloud Engineer？ (1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree The majority of positions require candidates to have a Bachelor's Degree or higher. A reputable university will give you an edge in the job market. The applicant should have a degree in a related field, such as cloud computing or information technology. (2) Develop professional skills Cloud engineers should have a deep understanding of Linux server architecture, maintenance and management, cloud database management capabilities, and master related technologies such as MySQL and Hadoop. At the same time, they should also have solid general programming skills and be familiar with mainstream programming languages ​​such as SQL, Java, Python, Ruby, Golang, PHP and .NET. In addition, cloud engineers also need to understand virtual networks and general network management functions, be proficient in containerization tools, have practical experience with Docker and Kubernetes, and be able to deploy and run applications in virtual machine environments. Besides, as cloud security gradually becomes the focus of service providers, cloud engineers should also have the ability to plan security policies according to the needs of service providers. Finally, in terms of web services and application programming interfaces (APIs), cloud engineers should understand common open standards such as XML (Extensible Markup Language), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), WSDL (Web Services Description Language) and UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration), and master the design principles and implementation methods of APIs. (3) Earn Industry Certifications When applying for infrastructure engineer positions, it is helpful to obtain certain certifications as they can help you develop the key skills and knowledge required for the position and make your resume more noticeable to employers.Earning a recognized certification in the IT field helps employers recognize you as a qualified candidate.CCIE Data Center certification demonstrates your advanced skills in planning, designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing complex data center networks. Maximize the potential of a better connected world with the Cisco Certified Internet Expert (CCIE) Data Center certification.

Table of Contents1. What is an IT Infrastructure Engineer？2. IT Infrastructure engineer responsibilities3. Essential Skills for IT Infrastructure Engineer3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles4. How to Become an IT Infrastructure Engineer？ 1. What is an IT Infrastructure Engineer？ IT Infrastructure Engineers are involved in the design, construction, coordination and maintenance of an enterprise's IT architecture to ensure the secure operation of the company's internal network, collect data, develop and launch digital products, support its online stores, and achieve other business goals. 2. IT Infrastructure engineer responsibilities IT Infrastructure Engineers are responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: designing, maintaining and deploying network and servers infrastructure; monitoring and troubleshooting performance issues, configuring server hardware and software; implementing security measures, such as firewalls and authentication and encryption. They also prepare software and hardware documentation and monitor system and network performance indicators. 3. Essential Skills for IT Infrastructure Engineer IT Infrastructure Engineers need to have the following skills: Network and server management experience, familiarity with TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP and other network protocols, proficiency in the configuration of routers and switches from Cisco, Huawei and other manufacturers, firewall configuration and troubleshooting, proficiency in the use of network performance monitoring tools such as Nagios, Zabbix, SolarWinds, in-depth understanding of server hardware and software, excellent problem-solving and organizational skills, proficiency in the use of virtualization technologies such as VMware ESXi/vSphere, Hyper-V, KVM, etc. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1) IT Infrastructure Engineer Salary ZipRecruiter data shows that as of April 28, 2025 the average annual salary in Los Angeles for infrastructure engineers is $136 915, or $65.82 an hour. This is equal to $2,632 a week or $11,409 a month. The highest salary among them is $196.107, and the lowest is $50,000104. However, most infrastructure engineers have salaries that range between $115.800 (25th centile) and $161.900 (75th centile), with the highest earners in Los Angeles (90th) earning $175.634. (2) Job Outlook of IT Infrastructure Engineer According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in IT Infrastructure Engineer will increase by 4% between 2022 and 2032. This is the same growth rate as the average of all occupations. It means that those who are interested in a career with infrastructure engineering have good prospects. (3) Similar Occupations Network Engineer Cloud Engineer DevOps Engineer Solutions Architect Systems Engineer IT Project Manager IT Manager Technical Manager Security Engineer     4. How to Become an IT Infrastructure Engineer？ (1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree Most positions require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Studying at a reputable institution will give you a competitive edge. Applicants should hold a closely related degree, such as electrical engineering, software engineering, computer science and information technology (IT) or other related fields. (2) Develop professional skills It is important to have the necessary skills to be a successful infrastructure engineer. This will allow you to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers and improve your chances of advancement. Consider looking for internships to gain valuable experience while you study for your undergraduate degree. Consider internships with software and information technology companies. (3) Earn Industry Certifications When applying for infrastructure engineer positions, it is helpful to obtain certain certifications as they can help you develop the key skills and knowledge required for the position and make your resume more noticeable to employers.Earning a recognized certification in the IT field helps employers recognize you as a qualified candidate.CCNP Enterprise Certification demonstrates expertise in enterprise infrastructure and security. The Cisco Certified Network Professional Enterprise (CCNP) certification allows you to configure, manage, and troubleshoot networks for some of the largest companies in the world, boosting your career as an IT Infrastructure Engineer.

Table of Contents1. What is a IT Security Officer？2. What does a IT Security Officer do?3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles(3) Similar Occupations4. How to Become a IT Security Officer？ 1. What is a IT Security Officer？ IT Security Officer plan, implement, upgrade or monitor security measures for computer networks and information. Assess security risks of system vulnerabilities and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. Ensure appropriate security controls are in place to protect digital files and critical electronic infrastructure. Respond to computer security breaches and viruses. 2. What does a IT Security Officer do? In an enterprise, an IT Security Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing security measures to protect the security of the enterprise's computer systems, networks, and digital information. Work closely with the IT team and management to identify potential security vulnerabilities, analyze security risks, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. The ideal candidate should have a solid understanding of information security principles, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical personnel. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1)IT Security Officer Salary According to Glassdoor, total compensation ranges from $171,000 to $285,000 per year, with a median of $219,000 per year. Additional compensation (including cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing) is estimated at $63,951 per year. (2) Job Outlook of IT Security Officer Employment of information security analysts is expected to grow 33% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. And relevant data predicts that there will be an average of 17,300 vacancies per year for information security analyst positions over the next decade. Many of these vacancies are expected to fill those who change careers or exit the labor market (such as retirement). (3) Similar Occupations Information Security Specialist Security Engineer Security Manager Cybersecurity Analyst Information Security Manager Security Architect Penetration Tester Incident Response Specialist Security Consultant Data Privacy Officer Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) 4. How to Become a IT Security Officer？ (1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree Most positions require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree to apply for jobs in this field, and studying at a reputable school will give you an advantage in the job. Applicants should ideally have a closely related professional degree, such as a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. (2) Develop professional skills The IT Security Officer position requires solid information security, risk management and compliance control capabilities, familiarity with laws and regulations such as FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, SOX, etc., the ability to formulate and implement organizational-level information security policies and awareness training programs, and enhance the overall security culture. They should be proficient in mainstream risk control and information security frameworks such as CoBIT, ISO 27001/27002, NIST 800-53, ITIL, PCI-DSS, etc., have the ability to identify and respond to IT system vulnerabilities, and be able to communicate and coordinate effectively in a multicultural environment. They should have team management experience and budget execution capabilities, be good at coordinating resources and promoting projects, and have excellent problem analysis and decision-making capabilities. (3) Earn Industry Certifications Earning a recognized certification in the IT field helps employers recognize you as a qualified candidate.CCIE Security certification proves that you are proficient in planning, designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing complex enterprise security network solutions. Lead the transformation of security solutions with the Cisco Certified Internet Expert (CCIE) Security certification. Help you start your career path as an IT Security Officer.

Table of Contents1. What is a Incident Manager？2. What does a Incident Manager do?3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles4. How to Become a Incident Manager？ 1. What is a Incident Manager？ Incident Manager is to lead the company's IT team to promptly handle and resolve technical outages in the infrastructure, restore services and help business operations return to normal after an incident. Regularly work with various teams to ensure that the incident management process is fully covered, work with the security team to ensure continuous technical protection, and work with service providers to verify uninterrupted system integrity. 2. What does a Incident Manager do? The responsibility of an incident manager is to oversee the operation of an organization's information technology systems and lead the response and handling of problems in a timely manner. This work usually includes recording anomalies or challenges that occur in the IT system, analyzing and formulating corresponding solutions, and promoting the implementation of these countermeasures throughout the organization. After identifying system vulnerabilities, incident managers will also conduct in-depth analysis of their root causes to provide a basis for subsequent solutions. In addition, incident managers may also communicate with customers to convey the operating status of the IT system and related updates to them to ensure information transparency and user understanding. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1) Incident Manager Salary The expected total compensation for an incident manager is $112,042 per year, with an average annual salary of $90,633. Expected additional compensation is $21,409 per year. Additional compensation may include cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing. Entry-level positions can start at $92,468, and experienced professionals can make up to $167,942 per year. The 25th percentile makes $119,065, and the 75th percentile makes $147,695. (2) Job Outlook of Incident Manager As digital systems become increasingly important to organizational success, the demand for incident managers is expected to continue to grow, especially among companies that value business continuity, cybersecurity, and IT governance. Talents with experience in incident response frameworks (such as ITIL), communication skills, and technical knowledge will be more competitive. (3) Similar Occupations Cyber Security Engineer Cyber Security Manager/Administrator Cyber Security Architect Vulnerability Analyst/Penetration Tester Security Analyst Incident Management Team Member (various roles) IT Support Specialist DevOps Engineer 4. How to Become a Incident Manager？ (1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree Since incident managers are management positions, most positions require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree to apply for jobs in this field. Studying at a school with a high reputation for management will give you a greater advantage in your job. Of course, you can also choose a closely related major, such as computer science, computer engineering, or cybersecurity. Some incident managers also choose to continue their studies to obtain a master's degree in management to enhance their leadership and management capabilities. (2) Develop professional skills Developing the professional skills required for the position can better get a job offerKey technical skills include Incident Management Tools, ITSM Platforms, Monitoring Systems, Communication Tools, Documentation Software. Important soft skills are Crisis Management, Leadership, Communication, Problem-solving, Decision Making, Stress Management. (3) Earn Industry Certifications Earning a recognized certification in the field of incident management can help employers recognize that you are a qualified candidate. There are many different types of certifications that information technology professionals can earn, many of which teach candidates specialized aspects of IT work, such as programming languages, how to identify errors in a system, and how to develop effective IT solutions. Cybersecurity Professional certification show your expertise in preventing cyber attacks, responding to incidents, and securing the cloud. Advance your career with a Cisco Cybersecurity Professional certification.

Table of Contents1. What is a Solutions Architect？2. What does a Solutions Architect do?3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles4. How to Become a Solutions Architect？ 1. What is a Solutions Architect？ Solution Architects design, describe, oversee and manage technical solutions to organizational business problems and ensure the implementation of complex technical solutions to address business challenges or needs. These professionals bridge the gap between business needs and technical capabilities by translating business requirements into technical specifications and designing comprehensive solutions that meet organizational goals. 2. What does a Solutions Architect do? Solution architects play a variety of important roles in different organizations and projects, and are responsible for connecting business needs with technical implementation. Their main work includes: Requirements collection and analysis: Work closely with stakeholders such as business leaders, project managers and end users to collect and deeply analyze business needs, understand organizational goals, challenges and technical requirements, and convert them into clear technical specifications and architectural designs. Technical solution design: Based on business needs, design a comprehensive technical architecture solution, including system structure diagrams, component divisions and integration point descriptions. Select appropriate technologies, platforms and architectural models to ensure that the solution meets functional and non-functional requirements such as performance, security and scalability. Technical leadership and collaboration: Provide technical guidance throughout the project life cycle, work with development teams, system administrators and other IT professionals to ensure that the project strictly follows the established architectural design and best practices. At the same time, guide junior architects, provide professional technical support, and assist in decision-making and problem solving. Risk assessment and optimization: Actively evaluate the potential risks and limitations of the solution, and make improvement suggestions for key factors such as scalability, performance, security and compliance, effectively reduce project risks, and ensure the long-term stable operation of the system. Cross-departmental communication and coordination: As an important bridge between the business team and the technical team, we can convey complex technical concepts in clear and understandable language. Through solution presentation, opinion collection and feedback integration, we ensure that the architecture design fully responds to business needs and is continuously optimized. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1) Solutions Architect Salary The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for solutions architects will be $129,840 in 2023. Computer network architects working in corporations, business administration, or the telecommunications industry earn the highest salaries. Professional experience, certifications and degrees, and the local job market can affect salary ranges. (2) Job Outlook of Solutions Architect The job outlook for solutions architects is very positive, with employment projected to grow 13% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of solutions architects (also known as computer network architects) is projected to grow 13% between 2023 and 2033. As companies continue to expand their digital capabilities and information technology (IT) networks, steady job demand is likely. (3) Similar Occupations Software Engineer Cloud Engineer Systems Engineer Technical Consultant Enterprise Architect Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Software Engineering Manager Systems Analyst Network Engineer Cloud Architect Data Architect 4. How to Become a Solutions Architect？ (1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree The first step to becoming a solutions architect is to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related discipline. Courses in software development, network programming, database management, and organizational management can provide a solid foundation for a solutions architect's career. (2) Develop professional skills When recruiting for this position, companies tend to recruit candidates with many years of experience in software development, system engineering or IT consulting. This is because candidates need to have a deep understanding of various technologies, platforms and architectural models in order to design and implement effective solutions. This requires candidates to develop technical skills in software development, cloud computing, networking, database management and system integration, and continue to pay attention to emerging technologies and industry trends. (3) Earn Industry Certifications While not always required, earning an industry-recognized certification can demonstrate your expertise and enhance your credentials and credibility as a solutions architect. Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) certification.The Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) certification shows the world that you have what it takes to be an elite designer of IT solutions. The CCDE certification program will equip you with the broad knowledge and skills to tackle complex IT projects, including network architecture and design. (4) Gain experience in solution design and implementation Seek to work on projects that design and implement technology solutions for an organization. Work with stakeholders to gather requirements, develop architectural designs, and oversee the implementation of solutions, demonstrating your ability to deliver results that meet business needs.

Table of Contents1. What is a DevOps Engineer？2. What does a DevOps Engineer do?3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles4. How to Become a DevOps Engineer？ 1. What is a DevOps Engineer？ DevOps is a combination of Development (Dev) and Operations (Ops). DevOps are those indispensable IT staff who know how to write efficient code.DevOps engineers are general talents in the IT field whose main job responsibilities are to be responsible for the efficient operation of the company's IT infrastructure. This position requires a deep understanding of common network system architecture, configuration and management, as well as the toolset and practical experience of traditional network developers, such as using source code control, providing and receiving code reviews, writing unit tests, and being familiar with agile principles. 2. What does a DevOps Engineer do? DevOps engineers are mainly responsible for the automated deployment, operation and maintenance management, and continuous optimization of software systems in the production environment of the enterprise. This position usually appears in technical teams that emphasize continuous delivery, system availability, and service stability. It is a bridge position between software development and IT operation and maintenance. Its core responsibilities include: Promote the implementation of continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) processes to improve delivery efficiency; On-duty system operation and maintenance, perform on-call service response, and ensure stable system operation; Implement security strategies, including vulnerability management and risk assessment, to enhance system protection capabilities; Develop or introduce automated tools to reduce repetitive manual operations and improve operation and maintenance efficiency; Deploy automated operation and maintenance functions such as performance monitoring, fault diagnosis, and automatic recovery; Assess risks during system changes to ensure high availability and reliability of the overall environment. DevOps positions involve both programming skills and system operation and maintenance, security awareness, and automated thinking. They are suitable for technical talents who are familiar with software development processes and understand operation and maintenance systems. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1) DevOps Engineer Salary In Los Angeles, California, the average salary for a DevOps engineer is approximately $124,260 per year, with annual salaries ranging from $104,100 to $162,345. The 75th percentile makes $142,600, and the 25th percentile makes $104,100. The highest earners make up to $162,345 per year, with hourly wages ranging from $50 to $78. (2) Job Outlook of DevOps Engineer A career in DevOps is rewarding in many ways. First, the average annual salary is between $105,000 and $114,000, with salaries as high as over $160,000. Second, job growth is rapid, with an expected growth rate of over 20% per decade, and there are currently over 118,000 job openings on LinkedIn. (3) Similar Occupations Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) Infrastructure Engineer DevOps Architect Platform Engineer Build and Release Engineer Release Engineer Cloud Consultant Director of DevOps System Administrator Automation Engineer Release Manager 4. How to Become a DevOps Engineer？ (1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree The first step to becoming a DevOps Engineer is to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related discipline. Courses in software development, network programming, database management, and organizational management can provide a solid foundation for a solutions architect's career. (2) Develop professional skills First, you need to have technical skills, practical experience, and a deep understanding of development and operations workflows. Specifically, you need to have practical experience in scripting (such as Python or Bash), automated pipelines (CI/CD using Jenkins, GitHub Actions), and building infrastructure as code using tools such as Terraform or Ansible. Secondly, during the application process, employers often require proficiency in cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, or GCP), container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes), and Git version control, so it is necessary to have in-depth and continuous learning of the operation of cloud ecosystems. Finally, in the process of career advancement, your soft skills are equally important, such as the ability to communicate across teams. (3) Earn Industry Certifications While not always required, earning an industry-recognized certification can demonstrate your expertise and enhance your credentials and credibility as a solutions architect. There are many job-related certifications, but the most recommended one is DevNet Expert certification, which can prove that you can design and develop advanced network automation solutions through the entire network lifecycle, from concept and deployment to operation and optimization. Become a leader in a range of NetDevOps roles with the DevNet Expert certification.

Table of Contents1. What is a Network Automation Engineer？2. What does a Network Automation Engineer do?3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles4. How to Become a Network Automation Engineer？ 1. What is a Network Automation Engineer？ Network automation refers to the use of automation tools and programming to automate network operations, security, and monitoring to improve efficiency and reliability. Network automation engineers are responsible for overseeing these automated processes. 2. What does a Network Automation Engineer do? Network automation typically requires designing and implementing automated processes for all network engineering stages, collaborating with various engineering teams and IT professionals, managing and configuring networks using automation technologies to improve team efficiency, and using automation tools and programming to deploy network infrastructure to solve company automation network problems. Network automation engineers need to use tools such as Ansible, Salt, BackBox, and Python programming to develop and implement automated processes. As a network automation engineer, you will be part of the network engineering team. You will help build, lead, and guide an efficient team of network engineers. You will be responsible for collecting business requirements, soliciting feedback from key stakeholders on business requirements, and translating business requirements into network tools to develop and build tools and solutions to meet your growing business needs. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1) Network Automation Engineer Salary The average annual salary for a network automation engineer in the United States is $137,433, or $66.07 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $116,500 per year, while most experienced employees can make up to $176,395 per year. Expect additional compensation of $18,500 per year. Additional compensation may include cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing. (2) Job Outlook of Network Automation Engineer Automation technology is becoming increasingly important to enterprises, and network engineering is one of the areas where automation is increasing. Some predict that automation will take on 30% to 50% of network tasks within a decade, which will significantly reduce the demand for senior engineers. In 2024, the global network automation market size was US$5.41 billion and is expected to grow by 23.15% to US$43.4 billion by 2034. (3) Similar Occupations Network Analyst / Specialist Network Administrator Network Operations Engineer Software Quality Assurance Engineer / Test Engineer Control System Engineer Software Engineer 4. How to Become a Network Automation Engineer？ (1) Obtain relevant education The first prerequisite for becoming an automation engineer is to obtain a university degree certificate recognized by the enterprise. Among them, a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or a related field is usually a stepping stone to this career. Senior automation engineers may require a master's degree in telecommunications, computer science and other fields. (2) Have a professional certification Employers often consider hiring Network Automation Engineer who have relevant certifications, so having relevant professional certifications can help kick-start an Network Automation Engineer's career because it demonstrates the investigator's professionalism and commitment to the field. CCNP Enterprise certification demonstrates your expertise in enterprise infrastructure, assurance, security, and more. With the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise certification, you can configure, troubleshoot, and manage networks for the world's largest companies. (3) Gain practical experience Experience is critical in a technical career. As technology changes rapidly, employers want to know if you have the skills and experience to meet their requirements without having to invest too much money in training. It is recommended to start with an entry-level position in the field of network engineering. Internships and entry-level IT jobs are great ways to gain experience, learn to troubleshoot, and expand your knowledge of network technologies.

Table of Contents1. What is a Cybersecurity Investigator？2. Essential Skills for Cybersecurity Investigator3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles4. How to Become a Cybersecurity Investigator？ 1. What is a Cybersecurity Investigator？ A cyber investigator is a trained and skilled investigator or detective who collects evidence of cybercrime from computer systems to help arrest Internet, computer or cyber criminals. They have the skills to uncover illegal activities that exist within complex networks. Billions of dollars are lost every year to repairing systems that have been hit by cyberattacks. Some attacks have even paralyzed critical systems, disrupting or even shutting down hospitals, banks and emergency call centers across the country. Cybercrime investigators gather the necessary information to stop cybercriminals from carrying out their nefarious activities. 2. Essential Skills for Cybersecurity Investigator Proficiency in using forensic tools, analyzing data, and collecting/preserving evidence from various digital sources. Understanding of network architecture, protocols, and security measures. Proficiency in operating systems, familiarity with Windows, Linux, and other operating systems, including their security features and vulnerabilities. Expertise in programming, knowledge of programming languages ​​such as Python or C++ for scripting, automation, and reverse engineering. Ability to perform security analysis of malware, ability to identify, analyze, and reverse engineer malware to understand its behavior and origin. Proficiency in using SQL for database query and analysis. 3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles (1) Cybersecurity Investigator Salary According to data from ZipRecruite, the average annual salary for a Cyber ​​Investigator in the United States is $128,882 as of April 20, 2025. If you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $61.96 an hour. That works out to $2,478 per week or $10,740 per month. The majority of Cyber ​​Investigator salaries currently range from $113,000 (25th percentile) to $146,500 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) making up to $157,500 per year. The average salary range for a Cyber ​​Investigator varies greatly (as much as $33,500), which means there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience. (2) Job Outlook of Cybersecurity Investigator The job outlook for cybersecurity investigators (or more broadly, information security analysts) is very positive, with projections showing strong growth in the coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment of information security analysts will grow 33% from 2023 to 2033. This growth rate is much faster than the average for all occupations, which means that job opportunities will increase significantly. (3) Similar Occupations Information Security Analyst Security Engineer Penetration Tester Digital Forensics Analyst Cybersecurity Analyst Cyber Defense Analyst Computer forensics investigator Surveillance investigator Compliance investigator Policy enforcement investigator Financial crime investigator Fraud investigator Researcher 4. How to Become a Cybersecurity Investigator？ (1) Obtain a bachelor's degree for your Cybersecurity Investigator The first step to becoming a Cybersecurity Investigator is usually to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, cybersecurity or computer science, according to the Cybersecurity Guide document. The necessary education is a stepping stone to the profession. (2) Have a professional certification Employers often consider hiring investigators who have relevant certifications, so having relevant professional certifications can help kick-start an investigator's career because it demonstrates the investigator's professionalism and commitment to the field. Cisco's Cybersecurity Professional Certification demonstrates your expertise in cyberattack prevention, incident response, and cloud security. Get Cisco Cybersecurity Professional Certification to advance your career. (3) Gain internship experience Look for an investigator who has extensive experience handling large enterprise cyber incidents. Having experience in your specific industry can be a significant advantage. This ensures they understand the unique challenges and regulatory requirements your company faces.