Cloud Certification Enhancements Cater to More Businesses

Businesses are looking to keep up pace with changing cloud technologies, and a new cloud training program will meet those needs by offering more cloud certifications.

The Cloud Credential Council (CCC), which is a global cloud training and guidance group, stated that it is introducing a new professional credentials program, building on former basic education programs that were created for cloud introductions. The executive director at CCC, Marcel Heilijgers, said that more specialized and advanced programs like this are particularly important as a greater number of companies move to the cloud.

Heilijgers stated: “Overall, the professional courses really help organizations to gain more from adopting the cloud. It helps organizations adopt the cloud faster and better. It's an area that's often overlooked. After spending millions on the technology, they look back and realize they don't have the skill set.”

The owner of Phoenix, Arizona-based CCNS Consulting, Karl Bickmore, said that training is also a crucial aspect of his business. Around two hours are spent by his employees each week in training, which is around five percent of their time. Bickmore did acknowledge that not every company required the same level of training, but added that businesses must stay up-to-date on current technology, especially the cloud.

Bickmore commented: “The secret that no one tells you about cloud computing is that it actually makes environments more complicated. What they're really missing out on is that there is a big assumption that if you sign up for the cloud you don't have to worry about stuff.”

A number of vendors provide product-specific certifications. Bickmore said that he ensures all of his employees seek certifications in Office 365 and backup disaster recovery.

Five professional-level certifications in cloud administration, cloud development, cloud security/governance, cloud service management and cloud solutions architect are offered by the CCC program, and the first classes are due to start next month.

Even though the program is new, Bickmore added that the IT industry is by this time used to undergoing constant training.

Bickmore said: “There's a lot of elements of training, but that's nothing new for our industry. Our industry turns itself every couple of years anyway. It has for a long time. The IT companies that survive like us are always looking around the next turn.”

Customers, in addition to companies, are also turning to the cloud. The CCC training program was devised when a larger financial service wanted to migrate to the cloud, but was not able to identify anyone in the market who would be able to meet their certification requirements. Heilijgers therefore initiated the development of the cloud training program.

Heilijgers noted: “They want to familiarize themselves with cloud computing. Everyone's talking about it. Everyone's moving there and they need to be able to speak the same language, know what some of the key concepts are and address the customers at a similar level.”

Training is particularly essential for staying up-to-date, and providing the best information to customers, according to Bickmore. He said: “For us, I'm just very proactive of making sure we are ahead of the curve. If we didn't do that, in a year we'd be dead.” (CY) Link