Which Microsoft Azure Certification Is Right for You?

One of today's technologies with the most significant growth is cloud computing. According to the IDC analysis, public cloud investment will increase from $229 billion in 2019 to about $500 billion in 2024. Therefore, the recent rapid expansion of cloud computing cannot be disputed. With their unique services in a cloud computing environment, many household names have established themselves in the market, including AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, Rackspace, etc. Microsoft Azure is an emerging market leader with 29% of the application workload in the overall cloud market.

The most challenging certification route is being a Microsoft Azure certified professional in the cloud industry. This article will discuss a few Microsoft Azure certification tests and offer vital information to aid your career decision.

Microsoft Azure Certifications Based on Roles

Microsoft has three new certificates in addition to existing ones like Azure Administrator, Azure Solution Architect, Azure Developer, and Azure AI Engineer. Azure AI Fundamentals Exam AI-900 and Azure Data Fundamentals Exam DP-900 are two certifications that follow essential routes. The Azure Database Administrator Exam DP-300 is an associate certification for the other certificate.

After determining the necessary qualifications for the jobs, the community created this revolution. There are currently 12 Microsoft Azure certificates available, each requiring 14 examinations. There are three levels: Fundamental, Associate, and Expert. These credentials only emphasize enhancing knowledge and abilities relevant to market employment roles. Microsoft also introduced the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals Exam AI-900 and the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals Exam DP-900, two new foundational level certifications.

Microsoft Azure Foundational Certification

This certification aims to certify that the candidate has a basic understanding of Azure cloud services. Additionally, it aids applicants who are not technically inclined to understand cloud services like sales, procuring and marketing Azure cloud services.

Areas Included

1. Recognize the basics of cloud computing, including High Availability (HA), Scalability, Fault Tolerance (FT), Disaster Recovery, and the distinction between CapEx and OpEx.

2. Describe the geographical areas, availability zones, resource groups, Azure Resource Manager, and architectural elements of Azure.

3. Describe the Network Security Group, Azure Firewall, and DDoS protection (NSG)

4. Describe the Azure subscription, how to buy Azure services and goods, sign up for a free Azure account, and use the pricing calculator.

Examination Details

• Prerequisites: No unique requirements exist.
• 30 to 40 questions total
• The time is 60 minutes.
• Minimum Passing Score: 700
• Cost: $99

Associate-Level Certifications for Microsoft Azure

The latest version of Exam AZ-103 for Microsoft Azure Administrator is Exam AZ-104.

The candidates' knowledge and skills in the configuration and management of computing, storage, virtual networking, and monitoring in the Azure environment will be tested by this exam.

An organization's cloud architecture built on Azure is implemented by an Azure Administrator, a subject matter expert (SME).

Areas Included

1. Manage Azure AD objects, subscriptions, role-based access control (RBAC), and governance, including establishing Azure policies and resources.

2. Control data and storage accounts in Azure storage, set up Azure files, Azure blob storage, and Azure blob storage tiers.

3. VMs should be configured for high availability, scalability, and automated deployment.

4. Create and set up web apps, containers, VMs, app services, and service plans.

5. Manage Azure resources, configure virtual networking, and perform backups.

Examination Details

• Prerequisites: Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (optional)
• Cost: $165

Microsoft Azure Certifications at the Expert Level

The AZ-303 exam, previously known as the Azure Solution Architect AZ-300 exam, is an enhanced version designed to assess candidates' aptitudes for managing Azure cloud resources.

Candidates interested in obtaining this certification should be SMEs in implementing computing, storage, networking, and resource security in the Microsoft Azure cloud.

Areas Included

1. Introduce Azure AD, monitoring the infrastructure, storage accounts, and virtual networking

2. Implement network security and load balancing while managing workloads in the Azure cloud.

3. Create and set up AKS; use container-based apps.

4. Use Azure SQL and NoSQL databases.

Examination Details

• Exam Cost: $165 
• Language: English

The AZ-304 exam

The previous Azure Solution Architect Design AZ-301 exam has been updated into the AZ-304 certification for developing Microsoft Azure architecture.

Areas Included

1. Compile a list of requirements, improve your consumption strategy, and create an auditing and monitoring plan.

2. Create identity management, authentication, and authorization systems

3. Create plans for data management, data security, and data flow

4. Create plans for high availability, site recovery, and data preservation.

5. Develop API integration, migration, and deployment strategies

6. Create plans for computing, storing, networking, and monitoring

Examination Details

• Exam Cost: $165 
• Language: English

Conclusion

With 29% of the global cloud market's application workload, Microsoft is one of the industry's significant participants. I strongly advise selecting the credentials mentioned earlier if you want to use Microsoft Azure technology in your work.

These role-based certifications cover the configuration and management of computing, storage, networking, security, dependability, integration, development, and operations capabilities. Businesses are quickly adopting Microsoft Azure cloud services, and there is an increasing need for certified administrators, solution architects, developers, and security engineers.

If you want to increase your competitive edge in the IT industry and thoroughly prepare for Microsoft, you can also get help from SPOTO. Additionally, SPOTO provides beneficial online courses that might aid your certification preparation. Please click it!