AWS Azure Google Cloud Certifications Testimonials and Dumps

I passed SC-100 with a score of 820. I found it to be easier than the prerequisite exams. I've got all 3, SC-200, SC-300 & AZ-500. I would say that I've gained a lot more experience since I took those exams almost a year ago, those exams gave me a lot of the knowledge I needed to pass SC-100. It's not that technical of an exam, you mainly need more of a high level overview of all the different services. Microsoft Learn was incredibly useful for the exam. I used MS Learn + Udemy course to study, I studied for a couple hours a day for a week, on the day of the exam I studied the whole day. I struggled most on the information protection section of the exam, as I don't have much experience in it and I haven't done the SC-400 exam. Good luck to all those who do it! submitted by /u/azureenvisioned [link] [comments]

Hello, I am currently studying for the AI-102 exam, I just am a bit confused on what to focus on. Until now, I've been studying from the ai-102 self-paced learning path modules, and just going through the code briefly (just understanding what it does). Is that enough? If not, what are your recommendations? And should I be more focused on knowing how to implement the code in details? If someone already passed it, please share your experience with the questions. Your help is highly appreciated! submitted by /u/Mhmd-hsen [link] [comments]

Hey everyone! I recently passed AI-102 and obtained a good score notably because I was really comfortable with naviguating through the AI services documentation. I'm now studying for DP-100 (thanks free voucher lol) and I see on the info page of Microsoft Learn that "This exam will be proctored, and is not open book." Does this mean that we don't have access neither to the modules and neither to the Azure ML documentation? Then would have to study a lot more to remember all the parameters and their usage/meaning... submitted by /u/ScY99k [link] [comments]

2nd attempt with a 751, 1st was a 673. The 30 days to learn it challenge was definitely helpful. I found I used MS Learn during the exam for about half the questions I did my first time around, and most simply to double check my answers. I didn't find alot of questions around the well architected framework which I thought was odd given the amount of coverage of the well architected framework in the training. submitted by /u/icebreaker374 [link] [comments]

Which one is easier to obtain first?, i already got SC-900, AZ-900 and SC-200 submitted by /u/Dovah_Long [link] [comments]

Hi! Does anyone here know if there are any up to date courses for AZ-500, preferably with some labs? Was looking through Udemy and the reviews put me off and Im not sure about Cloudacademy. Any tips would be great! submitted by /u/CityWoker [link] [comments]

Just passed SC-100 with 778 score. On to the next. submitted by /u/slash0514 [link] [comments]

I have little experience with Azure (Im an intern learning MS Sentinel) and just failed my 2nd attempt with a 684. There were several questions asking me to put steps in the correct order for the implementation of various things in Azure. How can I study for these without paying a ton of money on Azure? I have a strong feeling it was those questions that I did poorly in, as I don't really have any real world practice doing any of that. I have only been reading really. submitted by /u/2Turnt4MySwag [link] [comments]

I'm new to Azure certification and I'm a graduate student studying Data Science (1st Year). As the title says, can I give DP-100 exam without prior knowledge of Azure AI fundamentals ? What is the correct course of action for me to go ahead to give the DP-100 exam submitted by /u/Strawberries197 [link] [comments]

Hello everyone. What is your opinion on the most in-demand Microsoft Certifications as of May 2024? And also, which ones are will command high compensation? submitted by /u/According_Ice6515 [link] [comments]

Hi I am planning GCP Professional Data Engineer and GCP ML certifications for this year. I saw many youtubers referred CloudGuru for the courses. Is it worth the subscription? submitted by /u/Top-Issue-1079 [link] [comments]

I took the exam at a testing center. Apparently the centers have to send the exam results manually to Pearson now? What's up with that? Also, I hate how large the difficulty gap is between 900 series exams and 200 series exams. I have the AZ-900 and the SC-200. I had to take SC-200 twice. submitted by /u/Particular_Entry_494 [link] [comments]

Hi, I am currently working as a network engineer in an enterprise environment and would like to expand my skillset into cloud. I am trying to gauge whether going straight in for AZ-700 would be too intense for me as a CCNP network engineer. I have completed a read through of the AZ-900 syllabus on microsoft learn and am reasonably happy with the core constructs. I have also spun up an Azure account and can find my way round reasonably well. Prior to working as a network admin i was a more general sysadmin (i use this term loosely!) and am comfortable with AD / GP / DNS / PKI / Windows Server and to some extent Powershell. I have also worked with VMware and Hyper-V and understand virtualised networking concepts. Running through CBT Nuggets / Microsoft learn, the AZ-700 feels do-able. Is this just a false sense of security? thanks EDIT: TLDR i guess I am asking, are there any Azure / Microsoft knowledge pre-reqs prior to attempting the AZ-700? submitted by /u/ChoiceSwearing [link] [comments]

Hi! I am going to start to study for obtain my certification in Azure Fundamentals, what kind of course do you recommend for me to understand the exam? what is your opinion about the course that the certification has? And what page YouTube channel/resources recommend to me to see to practice for the questions? submitted by /u/ricovar [link] [comments]

Do we still need to know outdate things like Luis, and some of the other things that are going to be retired. submitted by /u/kev0406 [link] [comments]

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I passed AZ-900 today with 794. Honestly, for me, the exam was hard. Many questions were tricky and I did not feel as confident in my answers as I would have liked. However, note that I didn't have previous experience with Azure. I have no cs degree, nor any working experience in IT, so if you have some experience this will be much easier for you. I used the following resources: - Microsoft learn: went through half of the learning materials, read slowly and took notes. I felt overwhelmed, it was too much new information at once, so I turned to YouTube. - John Savill: I tried to like his style but I realized I wasn't retaining anything he said. Just wasn't for me. - Inside Cloud and Security: My favorite! I cannot recommend his az 900 exam cram video enough. I watched it while googling things I didn't know/understand and taking notes. If I could start over, I would watch this parallel to Microsoft learn, or even before. - The Tech Blackboard: I watched ca. 3 hours of his az-900 765 questions video and it helped a lot. It really got me in the flow of the exam. I hope this helps! submitted by /u/aelip [link] [comments]

Hello, im taking az900 soon. I have AWS solution architect SAA C03. I have a few questions about the exam. When will i know the result? (Im taking it at a testing center. AWS took 10 hours for me) I dont see any straightforward way to connect to credly, how does badges work for azure? Can i connect to my existing credly account? (Might not be possible since I have aws / credly with gmail and my MS Learning is with outlook. Thank you in advance! submitted by /u/nathanguyenn [link] [comments]

I used Scott Duffy for AZ 104 and found it pretty much useless. Any recommendations on courses for AZ 204? submitted by /u/Ok-Goose9586 [link] [comments]

Passed the SC-300 with a pretty pitiful 784 ( considering how prepared I felt ) but a win is a win lol. I felt like I was about to fail as it was harder than expected. 51 questions counting 1 case study ( 8 Questions ) for anyone looking to take it soon. Next up AZ-104 and then AZ-400 🙂 submitted by /u/DopestDope42069 [link] [comments]

What am I missing? I am continuing my search on the issue, but I was hoping someone smarter than me here might be able to clue me in. I am working through reassigning a user from Bus Premium to E3 but running into a conflicting service plans. The error message isn't helping with what service is in conflict though. Looking at what is assigned and missing between the two. Bus Premium has, but E3 does not: Azure AD (though both have Entra ID p1) data loss prevention Exchange online archiving msft defender for business (add-on assigned Defender for O365) msft Intune (both have msft Intune P1) Teams (add-on is assigned) office shared computer activation purview E3 has, but Bus Prem does not: Info Protection for Office 365 msft defender of endpoint p1 windows autopatch I have explicitly added the Teams essentials add-on. It may be relevant that I am trying to upgrade only one of many Business Premium users. submitted by /u/_work-acct-000_ [link] [comments]

I've raised a case with Training Support and its been confirmed that I should have received the certification, however I'm still waiting even though this case has been escalated since the 29th of Feburary. As described I've completed two exams to receive my certification Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. Exam Passed: AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure and Exam Passed: AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate I have my "Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate" certificate, however well over 2 months later I'm still waiting to get my expert certification. I really don't know how to proceed and it has really hurt killed my motivation to continue writing exams with Microsoft. To spend over £200 worth of exams and to have a 12 moth period of validation and 2-3 months of it has no certificate does beg the question as to what is the point of taking the exam. submitted by /u/s3rgant [link] [comments]

https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/626 submitted by /u/7Seas_ofRyhme [link] [comments]

As the title says, has anyone pased dp-600 without doing dp-900? I have 5+ years experience working with T-SQL/Power BI/Azure Platform/Data Factory, some experience with R & Python. No experience with Fabric as our org is just on PPU licences. For context, i'm a BI Developer and I now focus more on the back end side of things (SQL/ADF), after having done a few years of purely Power BI stuff submitted by /u/kiwi_bob_1234 [link] [comments]

How long should i study for the AI-102 I have prior knowledge in ML for a year How long should i study for AI-102 and after it DP-100 submitted by /u/LightColumn [link] [comments]

Passed Az-104 Got approved for the 50% time extension for adhd( saved me for sure) had an extra hour to deep dive) Passed with a 855! Now to start actually doing things in azure I guess! Hopefully my boss will let me start shadowing SAs or DC guys! I’m currently a HD team lead and it’s boring for me! I used tutorial dojo and I can confirm that lots of questions you see on there are on the exam in some form! Studied my ass of the last 6 months and can confirm that lab experience is a must! submitted by /u/Personal-Ad9152 [link] [comments]

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In April, we launched 19 new digital training products on AWS Skill Builder, including two new AWS Digital Classroom courses (Digital Classroom - Developing Generative AI Applications on AWS and Digital Classroom - Security Engineering on AWS), nine new digital courses, two new AWS Partner courses (both include an Accreditation Badge to be awarded upon successful completion of the final assessment), and localized versions (Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese) of Exam Prep: AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty.

Does this mean, even if it's saying pass now, they might come in later and say I failed it? Has it happened with anyone? submitted by /u/sy_soni7 [link] [comments]

Hey, Which gcp cert can be corralated to Az-900 and AWS practitioner? How do you suggest to prepare? How hard is it? submitted by /u/jinjyo [link] [comments]

Hey, if anyone needs study materials for GCP exams I am able to help. I purchased access to examtopics for a quarter (paid $200). If anyone would be interested, please write pm submitted by /u/SmaelBP [link] [comments]

Very grateful I passed this exam, as I didn't have any hands-on with GCP. I prepared for two weeks with the following courses: GCP Associate Cloud Engineer - Google Cloud Certification GCP Google Associate Cloud Engineer Practice Test Exam 2024 The ACE course by in28minutes is a bit dated and doesn't cover some new topics like extreme persistent disks, hyperdisks, pub/sub schemas, data catalog, etc., but it covers the basics really well. If you're completely new to GCP like me, I'd still recommend that course. The practice tests by Sayyam were crucial. Some questions came as is, while others had a similar pattern. The explanations given by Sayyam are outstanding and helped me understand exactly why my answers were wrong. I was only able to complete 4 tests due to time constraints, but thankfully they were enough. Some exam tips: Take your time for each question, Don't rush. If you find it too difficult, mark it for review and come back to it later Don't look at the answers first when you get a new question. Read each line in the question and formulate a service in your mind. Ex. If the line says 'The company wants to migrate the application to a fully serverless platform', your options should be Cloud Functions and Cloud Run (and not Compute Engine and GKE). Do this for each line of the question. At the end, you'll have a good estimate of what the answer should be. Then match your estimate with the closest answer Read the questions thoroughly, as you could answer wrongly if you missed a keyword. Ex. If the question mentions secure, the answer should contain HTTPS/SSL and not HTTP. Or if it mentions global, the answer should contain Cloud Spanner and not Cloud SQL The review all page at the end isn't designed very well. It shows the number of questions you've left unanswered, but it isn't apparent at a glance as to which ones you've left out. There are links to all 50 questions below, and the ones left out have an asterisk to the left of the number. I wish they were colored differently , or shown in a different place. Just a minor annoyance Best of luck to all the test takers! submitted by /u/aadish151 [link] [comments]

Anyone have an exampro discount code for their training? I mean I’ll “pay” the $60 but pretty sure I’ve seen it discounted to way less RE: exam pro gcp cdl coupon submitted by /u/MeatheadPhilomath [link] [comments]

Looking for advice on prepping for the GCP ACE exam. Wondering about the reliability of exam dumps – if anyone has them, could you share? Want to prepare thoroughly while staying ethical. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks! submitted by /u/Desperate_Aspect5639 [link] [comments]

I'm gearing up to prep for the GCP Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer certification. Can anyone recommend top-notch resources, practice questions, and study materials that closely mimic the exam's question patterns? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/Beginning_Ad_3972 [link] [comments]

Google Cloud is on a mission to help everyone build the skills they need for in-demand cloud jobs. Today, we're excited to announce  new learning opportunities  that will help you gain these in-demand skills through new courses and certificates in AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Even better, we’re hearing from Google Cloud customers that they are eager to consider certificate completers for roles they’re actively hiring for, so don’t delay and start your learning today. Google Cloud offers new generative AI courses Introduction to Generative AI Demand for AI skills is exploding in the market. There has been a staggering 21x increase in job postings that include AI technologies in 2023.1 To help prepare you for these roles, we’re announcing new generative AI courses on YouTube and Google Cloud Skills Boost, from introductory level to advanced. Once you complete the hands-on training, you can show off your new skill badges to employers. Introductory (no cost!): This training will get you started with the basics of generative AI and responsible AI.   Intermediate: For Application Developers, and you will learn how to use Gemini for Google Cloud to work faster across networking, security, and infrastructure. Advanced: For AI/ ML Engineers, and you will learn how to integrate multimodal prompts in Gemini into your workflow.  New AI-powered, employer-recognized Google Cloud Certificates Gen AI has triggered massive demand for skilling, especially in the areas of cybersecurity and data analytics,2 where there are significant employment opportunities. In the U.S. alone: There are over 505,000 open entry-level roles3 related to a Cloud Cybersecurity Analyst, with a median annual salary of $135,000.4 There are more than 725,000 open entry-level roles5 related to a Cloud Data Analyst, with a median annual salary of $85,700.6 Building on the success of the Grow with Google Career Certificates, our new Google Cloud Certificates in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity can help prepare you for these high-growth, entry-level cloud jobs. A gen AI-powered learning journey  What better way to understand just how much AI can do for you than integrating it into your learning journey? You’ll get no-cost access to generative AI tools throughout your learning experience. For example, you can put your skills to use and rock your interviews with Interview Warmup, Google’s gen AI-powered interview prep tool. Talent acquisition, reimagined  And while we're at it, we'll help connect you to jobs. Our new Google Cloud Affiliate Employer program unlocks access for certificate completers to apply for jobs with some top cloud employers, like the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Rackspace, and Jack Henry. We’re also taking it one step further. Together, with the employers in the affiliate program, we're helping reimagine talent acquisition through a new skills-based hiring effort. This new initiative uses Google Cloud technology to help move certificate completers through the hiring process. Here’s how it works: Certificate completers in select hiring locations will have the chance to take custom labs that represent on-the-job scenarios, specific to each employer partner. These labs will be considered the first stage in their hiring process. By matching candidates with the right skills to the right jobs, this initiative marks a major step forward in creating more access to job opportunities for cloud employers. The U.S. Department of the Treasury will start using these new Google Cloud Certificates and labs for cyber and data analytics talent identification across the federal agency, per President Biden's Executive Order on AI. “In an age of rapid innovation and adoption of new technology offering the promise of improved productivity, it is imperative that we equip every worker with accessible training and development opportunities to understand and apply this new technology. We are partnering with Google to provide the new Cloud Certificates training for our current and future employees to accelerate their careers in cybersecurity and data analytics.” - Todd Conklin, Chief AI Officer and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection, U.S. Department of the Treasury  No-cost access for higher education institutions worldwide To expand access to these programs, educational institutions, as well as government and nonprofit workforce development programs across the globe, can offer these new certificates and gen AI courses at no cost. Learn more and apply today. And in the U.S., learners who successfully complete a Google Cloud Certificate can apply for college credit,7 to have a faster and more affordable pathway to a degree. “Purdue Global's students have benefited greatly from the strong working relationship between Purdue Global and Google. Together, they were the pioneers in stacking Grow with Google certificates into four types of degree-earning credit certificates over the past two years. We believe these new Google Cloud Cybersecurity and Data Analytics Certificates will equip our working adult learners with the essential skills to move forward and succeed in today’s cloud-driven market.” - Frank Dooley, Chancellor of Purdue Global  Take the next steps to upskill and identify cloud-skilled talent   We're helping to prepare new-to-industry talent for the most in-demand cloud jobs, expanding access to these opportunities globally, and pioneering a skills-based hiring effort with employers eager to hire them. Here's how you can get started: Learners: Preview the courses and certificates on Google Cloud YouTube and earn the full credential on Google Cloud Skills Boost to give yourself a headstart in the race to hire AI talent.   Higher education institutions and government / nonprofit workforce programs: Apply today to skill up your workforce at no cost.  Employers: Express interest to become a Google Cloud Affiliate Employer and be considered for our skills-based hiring pilot to connect with cloud-skilled talent. 1. LinkedIn, Future of Work Report (2023)2. CompTIA Survey (Feb 2024)3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024)4. (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study (2022)5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) 6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) 7. The Google Cloud Certificates offer a recommendation from the American Council on Education® of up to 10 college credits.

What is the actual answer to this question and why? There are a lot of different opinions all around the internet. https://preview.redd.it/an8am3wm9luc1.png?width=2150&format=png&auto=webp&s=dca9d6edf959edb19576e9781b262ae1c1091cc8 submitted by /u/Beginning_Ad_3972 [link] [comments]

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I am preparing for GCP Cloud Engineer Certification. Created an account in cloud.google.com as it is a free account - there is absolutely no support which i can understand. It says at the top that I have $300 free credit for remaining 76 days. But then a very confusing verbiage: Free trial status: $300.00 credit and 76 days remaining. Activate your full account to get unlimited access to all of Google Cloud—use any remaining credits, then pay only for what you use. ​ ​ When I tried to create an E2 instance, it is telling me that it is going to cost me something, please refer the screen shot. ​ https://preview.redd.it/dndcsajf7duc1.png?width=1209&format=png&auto=webp&s=963ef989e768e81e7f53e425b64ec0113747522c ​ Why is it so? Am i having free credits or not? When I asked this question to the udemy.com instructor I got very roundabout response You have to enable billing for each GCP account you create by providing your payment information. which doesn't make any sense. ​ What should I do? Do I have free credits or not? ​ submitted by /u/Due_Snow_3302 [link] [comments]

I've been prepping for my GCP ACE certification for almost a month now, and I'm about to start practicing with some practice tests. I've compiled a list of the ones I've found: Tutorials Dojo Google’s official practice exam CertyIQ’s question bank Karani PH Has anyone used these? Are they effective for preparation? I'd really appreciate any feedback or suggestions on other effective practice tests. Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/Beginning_Ad_3972 [link] [comments]

Are you at an inflection point and exploring how you might transition to a career in cloud? Amazonians, Prasad Rao and Ashish Prajapati, recently co-authored a book, Cloud Career Journeys, and sought to tell the stories of individuals who started or advanced their cloud career in the hopes that it will help inspire you to get started or progress your own cloud career. Whether you’re apprehensive about a cloud career because you do not have any IT experience, or you’re not sure how to take your IT skills to the cloud, you may find a relatable learner journey to spark your own career change and progression.

Hello there! Can anyone recommend any good study materials for the GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Certification? I've had success with Udemy for AWS exams, but I know there are other options out there. I know Google has their own official training platform and there's A Cloud Guru/Pluralsight as well. submitted by /u/palowarrior38 [link] [comments]

Learn how Steen Krogh Groennebaek transitioned into a career in cloud computing through free training at AWS Skills Center Seattle. From attending the free Cloud Exploration Day, to earning his AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification, Steen leveraged expert guidance, hands-on training, and networking opportunities to land a job and thrive in the cloud industry.

Who’s taken this exam? I’m getting it scheduled now. I have CLF-02 and AZ900. This is “supposedly” 1x and 2x harder than those. Why? What’s your recommended study materials (from those that have passed)? submitted by /u/MeatheadPhilomath [link] [comments]

Coursera promotes some GCP for certifications/specializations ... they are given by Google Cloud and/or third parties; Why is there an option in coursera to do the certification through Google Cloud if there is already the official training on https://cloud.google.com/ ... are they redundant? are they complementary? what do you recommend? which one is faster? which one have strong and better foundations? submitted by /u/leandr0garcia [link] [comments]

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Learn how you can access AWS Workshops to build your AWS Cloud skills. AWS Workshops are free, self-guided tutorial experiences that give you hands-on experience with AWS services. Through technical step-by-step modules, created by teams at Amazon Web Services (AWS), any level of learner can build an understanding of AWS Cloud concepts along with practical skills and techniques.

Going through Retry settings at - https://cloud.google.com/java/docs/reference/gax/latest/com.google.api.gax.retrying.RetrySettings I am not able to understand the difference between these two timeout settings. getMaxRpcTimeout - MaxRpcTimeout puts a limit on the value of the RPC timeout, so that the RpcTimeoutMultiplier can't increase the RPC timeout higher than this amount. getTotalTimeout() - TotalTimeout has ultimate control over how long the logic should keep trying the remote call until it gives up completely. Is RPC timeout same as timeout while establishing the Connection with Firestore? or is that part of TotalTimeout? submitted by /u/Snoo_32652 [link] [comments]

Hello everyone! I am planning to take the said exam. Any suggestions or recommendations on courses or blogs that helped you? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/Difficult_Ad1431 [link] [comments]

Are there any recommendations for the best course for GCP Professional Cloud Data Engineer? I've got an AWS cert for which I used Neal Davis' course and also Stephane Maarek's course on Udemy. However, neither cover GCP Data Engineer. Note also, I don't like Whizlabs. Thanks! submitted by /u/FindingEastern5572 [link] [comments]

Amazon CodeWhisperer is a revolutionary artificial intelligence (AI)-powered productivity tool that improves developer productivity and can serve as an accelerated learning path for cloud computing. Amazon CodeWhisperer uses machine learning (ML) to provide intelligent code suggestions in an integrated development environment (IDE). In this blog, we’ll explore three practical ways developers and cloud architects can use Amazon CodeWhisperer as an educational catalyst in their cloud learning journey.

Google Cloud credentials, including certifications and skill badges, empower you to validate your expertise in the ever-evolving landscape of cloud technology, and work towards that next promotion or prepare for a new career opportunity in cloud.  Going to Google Cloud Next in Las Vegas April 9-11? Check out all the opportunities to lead with learning and earn credentials. It’s still not too late to register for a digital pass. According to a recent study led by Pearson VUE, 92% of individuals with digital credentials are more confident in their abilities, and 81% have more confidence to explore new job opportunities. Whether you're looking to enhance your career prospects, transition into a new role, or showcase your cloud expertise, Google Cloud credentials offer a great pathway to elevate your career. We’re excited to introduce new, easy-to-use features that help to showcase your validated skills and demonstrate your expertise with Google Cloud. Our credential earners can now manage and share their credentials in one, easy-to-access place with the Google Cloud Credential Wallet, powered by Credly.  We invite credential earners to opt-into the Google Cloud Skills Directory, to help you gain visibility to career-relevant cloud opportunities.  Earners can take advantage of Labor Market Insights and discover open job opportunities based on verified skills and credentials, including job titles, locations, employers, and salary insights.  Join us for an webinar on April 17 at 8am PT to discover how to make the most of these tools and features to showcase your skills and connect to employment opportunities. And don’t miss Google Cloud Next 2024 where we have a huge number of opportunities to lean into learning and earning a Google Cloud credential. Check out all the ways to learn at Next here.  Meet Nikiya: A cloud skills success story Introducing Nikiya Simpson, a mom of three out of Little Rock Arkansas, who wears many hats: She’s a full stack engineer at a technology-based healthcare company and is pursuing her master’s degree in AI and Human-Computer Interaction at Georgia Tech, all while managing an active household. Nikiya, an avid learner on Google Cloud Skills Boost, tackles cloud challenges at work by utilizing on-demand learning labs during breaks. These labs provide her with hands-on experience with Google Cloud products and concepts related to Kubernetes, data processing, and application development. By acquiring targeted, validated skills with skill badges, Nikiya significantly enhanced her resume and career. “I was able to directly apply the skills obtained by earning skill badges in my career as a software engineer. I know more about cloud infrastructure, logging and monitoring, and how to create new solutions in ways that make me a better engineer. I’m also able to help people in my community spin up new projects, as well as explore new project ideas of my own.” Now, Nikiya continues to earn Google Cloud skill badges to advance her skillset, and even achieved the Associate Cloud Engineer certification, giving her the industry credibility needed to take on more complex projects at work. She even mentors aspiring cloud developers as an ambassador within the Women Techmakers program. Discover how Google Cloud Skills Boost and Google Cloud credentials fueled Nikiya's engineering journey. Check out her story here: SUCCESS STORY Start your cloud skilling journey by earning a skill badge today Try earning a Google Cloud skill badge today. Whether you’re just getting started with AI, or an experienced technical practitioner, there’s skilling for every level.   [Introductory] Prompt Design in Vertex AI  [Introductory] Insights from Data with BigQuery [Intermediate] Build and Deploy ML Solutions on Vertex AI [Intermediate] Deploy to Kubernetes in Google Cloud See you at the upcoming webinar. In the meantime, make sure to: Create your Credly account. Claim your digital badges. Access your Credential Wallet to share your badges with your network and to your resume!

Welcome to the March course launch blog. This month we launched eight new digital training products on AWS Skill Builder, including four new AWS Builder Labs and Generative AI Developer Kit. We also have three new, and one updated AWS Classroom Training courses—two of which have AWS Partner versions—including Developing Generative AI Applications on AWS. A reminder: registration is now open for the new AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate exam. You can begin preparing with curated exam prep resources, created by the experts at AWS, on AWS Skill Builder.

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Kevin Kelly, director of AWS Cloud Institute, dives into the burgeoning demand for cloud skills and the pivotal role entry-level talent plays in addressing the industry's pressing needs. Drawing from the Enterprise Strategy Group's findings, Kelly emphasizes the transformative impact of nurturing and investing in entry-level cloud professionals alongside seasoned experts and how this approach in helping organizations thrive.

https://karaniph.com/google-cloud-associate-cloud-engineer-free-practice-test/ https://karaniph.com/google-cloud-professional-architect-free-practice-test/ https://karaniph.com/google-cloud-professional-cloud-security-engineer-practice-test/ submitted by /u/Just_Reaction_4469 [link] [comments]

Google Cloud Champion Innovators is a global network of roughly 600 external professionals who are technical experts in Google Cloud products and services. Each Champion specializes in one of nine different technical categories including Coud AI/ML, Data Analytics, Databases, Hybrid Multi-Cloud, Modern Architecture, Security and Networking, Serverless App Development, Storage, or Google Workspace. In this ongoing interview series we sit down with Champion Innovators across the world to learn more about their journeys, technology focus, and what excites them. Today we're talking to Rohan Singh, a Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at SADA - An Insight Company, and a Google Cloud Champion Innovator specializing in Modern Architecture. He focuses on infrastructure modernization and migration, applying his expertise to help organizations embrace the transformative power of cloud technologies. Natalie Tack (Google Cloud Editorial): What technology are you most fascinated with, and why?  Rohan Singh: Quite simply, I'm passionate about the cloud and DevOps: every day brings fresh developments, and there's always something new to learn. As a Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, my work involves helping clients with their application infrastructure, focusing on strategy planning and choosing the best approach to their specific modernization and migration needs. A lot of companies are still working with legacy infrastructure, and finding the right strategy for them is a challenge that I really enjoy. Containerization is really big at the moment, so I’m doing a lot of work with Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) and Anthos and using Migrate for Compute Engine to transition VMs from on-premise to the Cloud.  NT: What are some upcoming trends you’re enthusiastic about? RS: I’m seeing more and more interest in Infrastructure as a Code (IaC). IaC enables you to increase your level of control over infrastructure implementation and design and improves resource management and code versioning. Google recently launched Infrastructure Manager, which uses Terraform and allows you to manage your Google Cloud infrastructure through IaC. As a Champion Innovator, I attended an internal session with the Google team where they presented the product and answered any queries we had. This was really useful, as I believe IaC is set to be a significant shift for the industry.  I’m also really excited about the potential of generative AI. As a Champion Innovator, I was granted early access to Duet AI in Google Cloud, which I see as a sort of personal assistant who’s on call 24/7 to answer my queries and help me solve any code challenges. I'm looking forward to finding out more about the potential integration of generative AI with Google Cloud’s native DevOps tools for infrastructure and applications. It’s early days, but the potential to leverage generative AI to deliver improved solutions to clients, enhance our solution architecture and troubleshoot issues is thrilling.  NT: How do you like to learn new services, applications and technologies? RS: My main resources are Google Cloud blogs, documentation, and my company's internal channels, where we continuously discuss cloud migration and modernization. Google Cloud release notes are great as the information is coming straight from the source. Google Cloud blog articles and Medium posts are also really useful. The Innovators program has gathered a wealth of technical expertise from Google Cloud itself and other Innovators around the world.  Being an Innovator also gives me the opportunity to practice extensively on Google Cloud, which is great as I’m a strong believer in learning by doing. As soon as I find out about something new, I like to put it into practice straight away. But while passion is crucial, so is paying attention to your wellbeing. I focus on my mental health because it keeps me and my family happy and enhances my productivity. When my mind is at peace, I can think more clearly and provide better solutions to our clients. NT: How has being part of the Innovators program impacted your personal and professional development? RS: Access to internal and Innovators-only training and certifications has really helped shape my approach to infrastructure modernization and migration. Another huge advantage is the robust community support. You’re connected with dozens of cloud enthusiasts and seasoned professionals who are there to support you.  Joining the program has also really expanded my horizons. I come from a small town where there aren’t many opportunities to interact with outsiders. Being an Innovator has boosted my confidence as well as my interpersonal and communication skills. I've also learned to articulate complex technical concepts in simple terms, which is really useful when working with non-technical colleagues and clients.  Having “Google Cloud Champion Innovator for Modern Architecture” in your bio also makes a real difference. People pay far more attention to what you’re saying! Since joining the program, my global reach on LinkedIn and Medium, and the queries I receive, have increased threefold.  NT: How important is community to you?  RS: Very important! I’m a strong advocate for community engagement. Cloud communities and programs like Innovators emphasize collaboration and knowledge sharing and connect people from diverse backgrounds. Regular interactions with others provide insights into challenges we’re all facing and are a great way to gain perspective.  I actively seek to share my stories and experiences and help people on the Google Cloud community page and via my Medium blog, where I run an interview series called “Silly Sit-Downs(SSD) with Rohan” with people from the industry irrespective of their domain. Video and podcasts are really big these days, but I truly believe in the power of reading and writing. Reading sparks the imagination, and it’s accessible to people everywhere as it doesn’t require a strong internet connection. I see myself as a mentor now, communicating globally without barriers. I’m not interested in follower numbers per se, but when I get messages from people saying my content has helped them it really makes my day.  NT: What advice would you give to budding Innovators?  RS: Pursue knowledge and skills, not titles. Don't choose a technology like cloud computing just because your friends are doing it or because you think you can make good money. Explore it first and if it interests you, start with the basics. Don't stress yourself out with unrealistic expectations, such as becoming a cloud expert in six months. Take your time to learn and grow at your own pace, stay active, travel, learn new things beyond technology, talk to people, and take breaks when necessary. Just getting started is difficult in its own right. For even more insight into how organizations are innovating with generative AI, check out our growing Innovators community – we appreciate ideas from like-minded Google Cloud users who want to take their journey to the next level.

This April, what happens in Vegas could raise the stakes on your cloud expertise!Join us April 9-11 at Google Cloud Next ‘24 in Las Vegas, where Google Cloud Consulting will offer three epic days of learning opportunities for attendees at any stage in their cloud journey – from curious beginners to advanced professionals, developers and partners to CxOs. It’s been exciting to build programming that can have a direct, positive impact on Next attendees professional journeys, and we have so much planned that you don’t want to miss. Get hands-on experience with the latest technology, explore live workshops, acquire skill badges, collect unique swag, watch demos on fresh innovations, perform challenges, connect with experts in the community, and more. Phew! Secure your ticket and register today.Got your ticket and ready to go? Check out some highlights of the learning experiences you can expect at Google Cloud Next.Earn our new generative AI skill badge (and swag!)Skilling up in gen AI? Now that’s a safe bet. The no-cost introductory Prompt Design in Vertex AI skill badge gives you hands-on experience building cloud solutions faster with gen AI while earning a valuable Google Cloud credential. Complete the introductory Prompt Design in Vertex AI skill badge before or during Next ‘24, and visit the Learning and Certification booth to pick up your limited-edition swag. Make sure to share your digital #GoogleCloudSkillBadge on your socials to highlight your achievement.Identify your Cloud TypeHave you ever pondered if you should set sail as a Python Pirate, or if you’d be better off finding your focus flow with a rubber duck? Great news — there’s a way to find out. Discover the skills that make you shine by taking our brand new “What’s my Cloud Type?” quiz at the Learning and Certification booth. It’s both entertaining and grounded in real insights to help you make informed decisions about your learning journey. After answering a few fun questions about your interests and working style, you’ll find out your Cloud Type — and receive recommendations for the relevant Google Cloud skill sets and personalized learning paths that align to it. Whether you lean towards realistic or artistic, prefer to investigate or innovate, there’s something for everyone to help tailor an ideal learning experience. You’ll also get a limited-edition pin to show your cloud skills with pride.Power up your potential with a training workshopNo matter your learning level, we’ve got a session to help you enhance your career. Individuals who get Google Cloud trained and certified report boosts in salary — and in feeling more confident about their work1. So invest in yourself and consider prioritizing a certification training workshop. There are a variety of ways to learn, including hands-on learning, gamified activities, speaker presentations, and more. New to data analysis and hoping to practice querying large datasets? Wanting to improve and implement your advanced gen AI abilities by creating a generative chat app? All that and more is waiting for you to explore in the session library. Check it our and book your Tech Training session seat today – they’re filling up fast!Join a Cloud Learning breakout sessionWant to understand how training and certification can transform your company's culture? We’ve got you. Get the lowdown on how to prepare for the most popular Google Cloud certification exams, realize the ways gen AI can enhance your team’s learning journey, gain insight into the latest learning resources from Google Cloud, and more. You won’t want to miss our customer sessions, where you’ll hear real stories about the positive impact that cloud learning has had on their businesses. Don't forget to check out the Cloud Learning and Certification playlist and mark your calendar for the sessions that catch your eye.Let inspiration strike at a Lightning TalkAs industries focus more on skills2, it becomes crucial to understand how to stay up to date — and how to translate your skills into career growth. Google Cloud Learning Services will be holding two Lightning Talks on how to own your professional narrative. Unsure how to differentiate your résumé? “Stand Out with Google Cloud Credentials” will show you how to turn your Google Cloud Credentials into a powerful currency. Wondering how you may need to adjust your approach to learning as technology advances at a rapid pace? “Need for Speed: Skilling up in the World of Cloud and AI” illuminates the importance and process of evaluating and re-upping your existing skills in this fast-paced world of AI and cloud technology. Learn more and discover even more Innovators Hive Lightning Talks in the session library.Advance your skills and get limited-edition swagWho doesn’t love swag? Demonstrate your Google Cloud prowess by earning any of these three skill badges from now until Next:Insights from Data with BigQueryBuild and Deploy ML Solutions on Vertex AIDeploy to Kubernetes in Google CloudYou’ll get a digital badge on your developer profile that you can share online to showcase your commitment to #GoogleCloudLearning. Then, when you’re at Next in Las Vegas, swing by the Learning and Certification booth and show us your developer profile to snag a limited-edition pin.Get guidance and greetings at the Learning and Certification boothWhether you’ve got questions about the latest updates to learning content or are on the hunt for stickers, the Learning and Certification booth is your destination. Drop by to chat with training experts, interact with the freshest learning materials and credentials, and of course, take your Cloud Skills Quiz! We’re also debuting our Learning Library: a collection of certification preparation and Googler authored generative AI books that you can check out and receive a discount to purchase online. And don’t forget to snap a selfie at our photo wall!Test your talents with the Persona QuizathonsGot 10 minutes during Next? Play the Google Cloud Quizathon in any of the seven Persona Areas in the Innovators Hive. You’ll test your knowledge of basic Google Cloud concepts in a fun, quiz-based game, and score a digital badge and physical swag to show off your expertise.Network and find the buzz at the Community HubMake connections at the Community Hub in the Innovators Hive. Connect with developers and Google Cloud Innovators to chat and learn about different Google communities and find the right one(s) for you. You’ll also find persona-based demos, access to experts, meetups, and more. Stop by anytime – there’s always something hopping at the Hub.Can’t wait to get started? Sign up for the Google Cloud Community and join the conversation today.Engage with experts at the Google Cloud Consulting boothHead to the Showcase and visit the Google Cloud Consulting booth for personalized consultations with product and solution experts and industry experts. Want tips on transforming your business? You can learn how to harness the power of advanced analytics to maximize your data insights, or explore integrating cutting-edge AI solutions to automate processes, improve decision-making, and enhance customer experiences. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with leaders in cloud technology and gain the insights you need to drive your business forward.Relax and revel in the Champions and Certified LoungeExclusively for Champion Innovators and the Google Cloud Certified community, come visit the lounge in the Innovators Hive to network, deep dive into discussions, or kick back and snack. You’ll find light refreshments, curated programming and meetups, and a photowall to capture and share your experiences. There will also be a few special surprise activities to help you unwind and bond with your fellow lounge-goers. Make sure to identify yourself as a Champion Innovator or Google Cloud Certified when you register for Next on your Profile page for easy lounge entry.We’re abuzz with excitement in anticipation of our biggest event of the year! Are you ready to raise your skill stakes and ante up your investment in your professional future? Come learn with us at Next in Las Vegas — we hope to see you there! Register today. 1. Based on survey responses from the 2020 Google Cloud certification impact report.2. From this 2022 Deloitte article

Learn how AWS Skills Center, Absa, and Women in Tech recently collaborated to create an impactful new cloud training program in South Africa to narrow the skills gap and open new career opportunities for women job-seekers. Through this program, 50 female computer science and engineering graduates completed training geared towards fast-tracking their career opportunities in tech and recently gathered at AWS Skills Center Cape Town to celebrate their achievements.

Take an inside look at the new AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate certification, AWS Exam Prep resources you can use, and additional offerings in the works from AWS Certification.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the professional landscape and ushering in a new era of efficiency and innovation for all industries. This transformation is not only changing the tools that we use, but is also reshaping the way organizations are structured and everyday tasks are executed. Access Partnership and Amazon Web Services (AWS) collaborated

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Cloud Networking is exciting, it is invisible, and yet without it nothing would communicate. If you need a high-level overview of the core services in Google Cloud, then the newly created Tour Of Cloud Networking lab is for you. Let’s take a look at this informational lab.The scaleThe lab introduces you to Google's Global network. One key benefit of running your workload on Google Cloud is you utilize the global scaled Google backbone powering services such as Search, Maps, YouTube, Google Cloud and more to billions of users and customers. In the lab, you will also learn about regions, zones and points of presence. Core elementsTo help you grasp the concept of cloud networking you can think of six building blocks. These blocks are network connectivity, networking security, service networking, service security, content delivery and observability, which help to simplify grouping of group networking functions.In this lab the following areas are introduced to highlight some of the core services related to each area:Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) networkNetwork servicesNetwork connectivityNetworking securityNetwork intelligence (i.e. Observability)Network Service Tiers Start your networking journeyStart today by signing up in the cloudskillsboost portal and navigating to the Tour of Cloud Networking lab.You can also learn more about networking with these resources:Products: Google Cloud networking productseBook: Cross-Cloud NetworkYouTube: Design secure enterprise networks for a multi-cloud worldSkillbook: Network engineer learning pathWant to ask a question, find out more or share a thought? Please connect with me on Linkedin.

Take a leap into learning this February, and make the most of the extra day! We’ve created a list of 29 no-cost ways for you to leap ahead in your cloud career, so take your pick and get learning something new!  The basics of Google Cloud and generative AI for everyone to learn  1. #LearnGenerativeAI on YouTube (<1 minute)  Take a hot minute to learn something new about #generativeAI.  2. Duet AI in Workspace (<30 minutes)  Watch these six short videos to help you get more productive in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. 3. Generative AI Fundamentals Skill Badge (<60 minutes)  Earn a Google Cloud skill badge when you complete the introductory courses on generative AI, large language models (LLMs) and responsible AI.  4. Digital Transformation with Google Cloud (<2 hours) What is cloud technology? What does digital transformation mean? How can cloud technology help your organization? Where do you even begin? This course will help you discover the answers. 5. Exploring Data Transformation with Google Cloud (<60 minutes) Explore the value data can bring to an organization and ways to make data useful and accessible. 6. Innovating with Google Cloud AI (<60 minutes)  Discover how to use AI and ML to help transform the way you work. 7. A tour of Google Cloud hands-on labs (< 45 minutes) Take your first steps with Google Cloud by getting hands-on practice with the Cloud Console.  8. A tour of Google Cloud sustainability (<60 minutes)  Explore your carbon footprint data and use the Active Assist recommendations to help reduce your carbon footprint.  9. Modernize Infrastructure & Applications with Google Cloud (<60 minutes)  Learn more about the challenges of maintaining IT legacy systems and applications and the opportunities with modernizing your infrastructure.  10. Trust and Security with Google Cloud (<90 minutes)  Explore the basics of cloud security for data and applications.  11. Scaling with Google Cloud Operations (<45 minutes) Get a grip on the fundamentals of modern operations, reliability and resilience in the cloud.   12. Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with Google Cloud (<2 hours) Learn how to help put responsible AI into practice in your organization.  Dive deeper into Duet AI: Using generative AI in your technical role  13. Day in the Life with Duet AI on YouTube (<5 minutes)  Got five minutes to spare? Whether you’re a data analyst, a network engineer, a cloud architect or an SRE, learn how you can use Duet AI in your role. 14. Duet AI in Google Cloud Learning Path (Starts at 45 minutes per course)  New video courses outlining how Duet AI in Google Cloud can help Application Developers, Cloud Architects, Data Analysts and Data Scientists, Network and Security Engineers, and DevOps Engineers. Labs in this learning path require credits to complete.  15. Duet AI Global Roadshow events (½ day)  Exclusive in-person events touring 30 cities, offering hands-on workshops to dive into the capability of Duet AI and learn how to integrate it in your development process.  Prepare for a Google Cloud Certification exam  16. Prepare for the Cloud Digital Leader certification (1 day) Complete the Cloud Digital Leader learning path, which helps everyone working with cloud understand the transformative power of this technology for your role, and team, and helps you prepare for the Cloud Digital Leader certification exam.   17. Prepare for your Associate Cloud Engineer Journey (1 day)  18. Prepare for your Professional Cloud Architect Journey (1 day)  19. Preparing for your Professional Data Engineer Journey (1 day)  20. Preparing for Your Professional Cloud Security Engineer Journey (1 day)  21. Preparing for Your Professional Cloud Network Engineer Journey (1 day) 22. Preparing for Your Google Workspace Administrator Journey (1 day) Each of these courses help you learn about the domains covered in the  corresponding Google Cloud certification exam and create a study plan to improve your knowledge as you prepare.  Get learning through no-cost technical labs  23. Play the Google Cloud Arcade  Get your game face on and complete gen AI labs at no-cost, to earn points towards claiming Google Cloud swag. 24. Getting started with BigQuery Machine Learning (45 minutes) In this lab, you’ll use a dataset in BigQuery to create a predictive model for consumer retail behavior using SQL queries.  25. Big data analysis to a slide presentation (60 minutes)  Use Google Apps Script in Google Cloud and Google Workspace and the BigQuery API to help explain you data analysis in a presentation  26. Explore and create reports with Looker Studio (40 minutes)  This lab focuses on how to create new reports and explore your datasets visually for insights.  27. Troubleshooting Common SQL errors with BigQuery (50 minutes)  Work through the logic of troubleshooting queries with a dataset.  Become part of the Google Cloud Developer community  28. Join Google Cloud Innovators Innovators is a no-cost community program for cloud practitioners and Google Cloud enthusiasts looking to learn the latest, access new technologies and help build skills. 29. Join a Google Developer Group Meet with local developers virtually or in-person, learn and share your skills, whether you’re just getting started or an experienced technical professional.

Whether you’re an engineer or an email warrior, start 2024 strong by making a learning resolution to boost your productivity with generative AI.Generative AI is playing a significant role in the future of technology, and Google Cloud has recently developed a range of training options to help you use generative AI in your daily job tasks through Duet AI, your AI-powered collaborator.What is Duet AI?Duet AI for Developers helps engineers of all types become more efficient in their daily activities. Use the Duet AI natural language chat interface to quickly get answers to cloud questions, or receive guidance on best practices. Whether you're writing apps, calling APIs, or querying data, Duet AI can help complete your code while you write, or generate code blocks based on comments.Duet AI in Workspace is an add-on that provides generative AI features in Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail, and the full range of apps. With Duet AI in Workspace, users write, visualize, organize, and connect more meaningfully with Google collaboration solutions.Check out our recommended list of 10 new trainings on Duet AI for Google Workspace and Duet AI for Google Cloud to learn how to use generative AI to improve your productivity and efficiency, whether you’re building apps or writing emails. And great news, you can try Duet AI for Developers today at no cost until Feb 1, 2024.Top ten Duet AI training courses for 2024Check out our recommended top ten list of short trainings available on Duet AI, for developers, data analysts, cloud engineers, architects, security engineers, and Workspace users. There is no cost to complete the courses. However, the technical labs require Google Cloud Skills Boost learning credits to complete.#LearnGenerativeAI on YouTube (60 seconds) - Learn the basics on what Duet AI is and how developers can use it.Introduction to Duet AI in Workspace (5 minutes) - Learn about the key features of Duet AI in Workspace and how it can improve productivity and efficiency.Duet AI for Application Developers (90 minutes) - Use Duet AI to assist in building an app, including a lab.Duet AI in Gmail, Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets (30 minutes) - Get extra productive using Duet AI to help with content generation.Duet AI for Cloud Architects (90 minutes) - Use Duet AI to build multi-tier web apps, learn how to prompt Duet AI to explain infrastructure, deploy GKE clusters and update existing infrastructure, including a lab.Duet AI for Data Scientists and Analysts (2 hours) - Use Duet AI to analyze customer data and predict product sales, including a lab.Duet AI for Network Engineers (60 minutes) - Prompt Duet AI to provide specific guidance for your networking tasks, including a lab.Duet AI for Security Engineers (60 minutes) - Deploy example workloads into an environment in Google Cloud, identify and remediate security misconfigurations with Duet AI, including a lab.Duet AI for DevOps Engineers (100 minutes) - Learn how to prompt Duet AI to find and understand application logs, create a GKE cluster, and investigate how to create a build environment, and use Duet AI to improve DevOps workflow, including a lab.Duet AI for end-to-end SDLC (2 hours) - Learn how to develop and build a web application, fix errors in the application, develop tests, and query data with Duet AI, including a lab.Learn more at a Duet AI roadshow event near youNew for 2024, Google Cloud Developer Relations and the Champion Innovators community have teamed up to host a series of in-person workshops across the globe to train developers on Duet AI. Take a look at the cities and dates available to join us for this no-cost Duet AI roadshow — the first workshop takes place in New York City on Feb. 2. Register here.Make a commitment to start 2024 strong by trying a new generative AI training from our list this year and join the Google Cloud Innovators community to stay up to date on the latest from Google Cloud.Got five minutes to spare? Whether you’re a data analyst, a network engineer, a cloud architect or an SRE, learn how you can use Duet AI in your role. Duet AI for Data Professionals

Imagine that you're an engineer at the company Acme Corp and you’ve been tasked with some big projects: integrating and delivering software using CI/CD and automation, as well as implementing data-driven metrics and observability tools. But many of your fellow engineers are struggling because there’s too much cognitive load — think deploying and automating Kubernetes clusters, configuring CI/CD pipelines, and worrying about security. You realize that to support the scale and growth of your company, you have to think differently about solving these challenges. This is where platform engineering might help you.Platform engineering is “the practice of planning and providing such computing platforms to developers and users and encompasses all parts of platforms and their capabilities — their people, processes, policies and technologies; as well as the desired business outcomes that drive them,” writes the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). This emerging discipline incorporates lessons learned from the DevOps revolution, recent Cloud Native developments in Kubernetes and serverless, as well as advances in observability and SRE.A career in platform engineering, meanwhile, means becoming part of a product team focused on delivering software, tools, and services. Whether you’re just starting your IT career as a young graduate or you’re already a highly experienced developer or engineer, platform engineering offers growth opportunities and the ability to gain new technical skills.Read on for an overview of the platform engineering field, including an introduction to what platform engineers do and the skills required. We also discuss the importance of user-centricity and having a product mindset, and provide some tips for setting goals and avoiding common pitfalls.Common attributes of a platform engineer So, what are some of the things that are expected of a platform engineer? Generally speaking, the role requires a mix of technical and people skills — job-related competencies that are necessary to complete work, as well as personal qualities and traits that impact how the role is approached. You can learn some of them to get started down the platform engineering career path, however there is no expectation that you need to know all of them to be successful, as these skillsets will often be distributed across your team. Here are some of the different attributes of a platform engineer:Takes a customer-centric approach — being a reliable partner for engineering groups, sharing knowledge, working with other teams including software developers, SREs and Product ManagersFamiliar with DevSecOps practicesAvid learner, problem solver, detail-orientated, and able to communicate effectively across teamsAble to articulate the benefits of the platform engineering approach to fellow colleagues and engineersApplies a product mindset for the platform, e.g., using customer user journeys and friction logsGiven its particular significance in the Platform Engineering realm, let's delve into the customer-centric approach from the list above.The design loop and the significance of customer focus If platforms are first and foremost a product, as the CNCF Platforms White Paper suggests, the focus is on its users. From the Google DORA Research 2023 we know that user focus is key: “Teams that focus on the user have 40% higher organizational performance than teams that don’t.”At Google we believe that if we focus on the user everything else will follow — a key part of our philosophy. Having an empathetic user mindset requires a deep understanding of the needs and demands of your users, which is achieved through interviews, systematic statistics, metrics and data. You gather the data by focusing on both quantitative and qualitative metrics.For example, you might decide to adopt Google’s HEART (Happiness, Engagement, Adoption, Retention, Task Success) framework, covered in detail in this whitepaper. As a platform engineer, you might be especially interested in the perceived “happiness” of your users with the offered platform services; you probably also want to measure and track platform adoption as well as (potential) retention of the offerings. Why are users coming to you or leaving? What is missing and could be improved in the next platform design sprint? Or perhaps you might want to create a friction log that documents the hurdles your users face when using your platform services. Ideally you can also become your own customer and use your own platform offerings, engaging with the friction log and users’ journeys through the platform. The platform engineering design loop We believe that an effective way to start thinking about platform engineering is to imagine a platform engineering design loop with you as a platform engineer at the center of it. You improve your customer focus by conducting user research that helps you understand their priorities better. You build empathy for them by documenting friction logs and other types of experiments. The platform backlog is where your team makes decisions on the engineering product portfolio, focusing on the platform’s contribution to your company’s value streams. Having a product mindset helps understand users’ needs, have a clear vision and roadmap, prioritize user features, documentation, and be open to product enhancements. Finally, once you have delivered the initial release of your platform, you continue iterating in this loop, making the platform better with every iteration.What does a platform engineer actually do? All this being said, a platform engineer performs a variety of tasks within a larger platform engineering group. Of course, nobody can do everything and you will require specialization, but here are some of the topics you might want to focus on:Google Cloud servicesContainer runtimes: Google Kubernetes Engine, Cloud RunCompute runtimes: Compute Engine, Google Cloud VMware EngineDatabases: Spanner, Bigtable, Cloud SQLBuild and maintain the internal developer portalSupport developer tooling: Cloud WorkstationsMaintain CI/CD: Cloud Build, Cloud Deploy and Artifact RegistryImplement compliance as a code for selected supported golden paths using Infrastructure Manager and Policy Controller, helping to reduce cognitive load on developers and allowing for faster time to deployment.ArchitectureGain a deep understanding of infrastructure and application architectureCo-writing with developers and support the golden paths through the use of Infrastructure as CodeCreate fantastic documentation as for example explained in our courses on technical writing. Don’t forget that architecture decision records are a key part of your engineering documentation.Operations and reliabilitySite Reliability Engineering - Adopt best practices for reliable operations of your platformSecurity Engineering - Compliance, horizontal controls, and guardrails for your platformEngineering backlogUse a backlog to list outstanding tasks and prioritize a portfolio of engineering work. The bulk of the focus should be on resolving the backlog of requests, with some additional time set aside for both continuous improvement and experimentation.Experimenting and innovating with new technology - This is an essential task for platform engineers, for example learning new services and features to better improve your platform.Our industry has been focusing a lot on shifting complexity “left” to allow for better tested, integrated and secure code. In fact, here at Google we strongly believe that in addition to that, a platform effort can help you “shift down” this complexity. Of course, nobody can do everything (think about "cognitive load”), not even a superstar platform engineer like you!What platform engineers should avoid ?In addition to all the things that newly minted platform engineers should be doing, here are some things not to do: Failing to prioritize the needs of developers and neglecting them from the design loopActing as a catch all for random tasks: Prioritizing and establishing the right culture is critical, and failing to do so will lead to burnout and lack of productivity (as shared in the State of DevOps Report 2023 report)Stagnating: Continual learning is not just a job perk, it’s a core part of engineers’ daily tasksExhibiting hero engineer syndrome: Instead, spread out skills across the group and work at a sustainable paceExpecting immediate adoption upon building the platform without evangelism, education, and gaining developers’ trustThese are just some of the common pitfalls that we’ve seen so far.Platform engineers are the backbone of modern software delivery Platform engineers are essential for the success of a modern enterprise software strategy, responsible for creating and maintaining the platforms that developers use to build and deploy applications. In today's world, where software is constantly evolving, platform engineers are a key force to providing scalable software services and keep users as their primary focus. They carefully understand the demands and needs of their internal customers, combining their technology expertise with the knowledge of latest developments in the industry.Finally, here are some further resources to aid in your platform engineering learning journey.The book Software Engineering at Google covers creating a sustainable software ecosystem by diving into culture, processes and toolsGoogle SRE Books and workshopsDORA.dev - research into the capabilities that drive software delivery and operations performanceGoogle Cloud certifications -> Cloud Architect, Cloud DevOps Engineer, Cloud Developer, Cloud Security Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer

Students pursuing undergraduate degrees in engineering, computer science, IT, and other related fields: Are you curious about how to apply training and certifications to your real-life, day-to-day experience, or to upskill your technical capabilities? If so, this blog is for you.In September and October 2023, approximately 100k students from 700 educational campuses in India completed the Google Cloud Computing Foundations course, learning generative AI skills that they can use on the job.These students completed the course with help from learning content provided by Google Cloud Study Jams, community-led study groups run by Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC). These study groups help aspiring developers get hands-on training in Google Cloud technologies, from containerizing applications to data engineering to machine learning and AI. They are set up as study parties, for a range of cloud topics and skill levels, and they can be tailored to group needs.The study jam events in India had a significant impact for student learners and facilitators:Students learned key foundational and technical skills to prepare them for their future careers.Student facilitators had the opportunity to gain a relevant Google Cloud certification.Nominated student facilitators gained leadership experience amongst their peers.How it workedThe Google Developer Student Clubs team in India started by reaching out to Google Cloud Developer Advocate Romin Irani to train student facilitators nominated from each GDSC educational institution. This train-the-trainer program focused on generative AI and cloud computing basics, and ran as a series of live sessions every week. The facilitators were then ready to manage the learning experience for students at their campuses.In turn, student facilitators trained their students using learning material that is available to anyone, at any time. We encourage you to go check it out yourself. Materials included:Google Cloud Computing Foundations: Cloud Computing Fundamentals - Comprised of videos, labs and quizzes, this introductory content helps learners gain hands-on skills in Google Cloud infrastructure, networking, security, data, and AI and ML.The Arcade - This no-cost gamified learning experience offers gen AI technical labs and the opportunity to earn swag. The games change from month to month, and must be completed within the month. The students in India worked on prompt engineering games.Facilitators chose how they wanted to train their students. Some facilitators let students go through the training independently, acting merely as a point person for troubleshooting. Some taught the content digitally, and some in-person. Many facilitators took a hybrid approach.Here’s what Himanshu Jagdale had to say about the facilitator experience:“Being a Cloud Facilitator in Google Cloud Study Jams was a game-changer for my certification journey. It not only deepened my understanding of Google Cloud, but also allowed me to share knowledge, and collaborate with other facilitators who really helped me during my Associate Cloud Engineer certification. The hands-on labs and expert sessions by Romin Irani enriched my practical skills, making a significant contribution to my success in achieving the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer certification.”Participant Adarsh Rawat said:“The Google Cloud Study Jam program was immensely beneficial to me. The hands-on labs and modules assisted me in building concepts and covering the certification syllabus. Honestly, I am a big fan of labs, as they allow for the coverage of most vital topics at once.”Get involvedIf you're a student with a passion for technology, we invite you to join a Google Developer Student Club near you — there are over 2100 Google Developer Student Clubs around the world, and joining one can help you learn, grow, and build a network of like-minded individuals, as well as find out about upcoming study jam opportunities. (If you’re not a student but looking to join a local community to stay connected and grow your skills, be sure to check out your local Google Developer Group.)You can continue upskilling on Google Cloud by playing The Arcade at no-cost, with new games published regularly. Not only does The Arcade help you learn new hands-on technical skills, it also lets you gain points to use towards cool Google Cloud swag.You can also visit Google Cloud Skills Boost for on-demand, role-based training to help you build your skills and validate your knowledge, any time, anywhere. You’ll find a variety of training options for in-demand job roles, like data analyst, security engineer, cloud engineer, machine learning engineer, and more, at levels ranging from introductory to advanced.Start 2024 strong by upskilling with Google Cloud.

Calling all cloud developers. This year there has been a lot of focus on generative AI, with plenty of excitement about the potential it brings to the future of cloud technology. Today we’re launching new training on Duet AI in Google Cloud that can help you get the most out of the new product features so that you can build customer experiences quickly, more securely, and like never before.Duet AI is an AI-powered collaborator that helps you build secure, scalable applications while providing expert guidance. It’s built on top of Google’s large language models (LLMs) and tuned by Google Cloud experts.Find out how to incorporate Duet AI in Google Cloud into your day-to-day activities. The new Duet AI in Google Cloud Learning Path consists of a series of videos, quizzes and labs (requiring credits) to test your skills. Each video and quiz can be completed at no-cost. Labs cost 5 credits each in Google Cloud Skills Boost, with a total of 8 labs (for 40 credits total) across the learning path. These resources could help you become more productive in Google Cloud and IDEs, and to get more done, faster.What can you do with Duet AI in Google Cloud?Duet AI is more than just a developer productivity tool, it's also a learning companion for developers of all skill levels embarking on the development lifecycle. Whether you're just starting with cloud technologies or are a seasoned expert, Duet AI is here to guide and enhance your journey to mastery in software development and Google Cloud.It offers personalized, expert-level advice in natural language on a wide range of topics, from crafting specific queries and scripts, to mastering common Google Cloud tasks, to best practices for application deployment, and cost optimization. Integrated within both the IDE and the Google Cloud console, Duet AI promotes a learning experience that can minimize the need for context-switching.Here are some examples on how Duet AI can help:Real-time code creation and editing assistance. Describe a task that you have in mind as a comment or function name, and Duet AI will generate suggested code that can be reviewed and modifiedChat assistance in the IDE for troubleshootingOvercome challenges that many of us experience day-to-day, like friction when integrating new tools and services, hashing over repetitive tasks, and spending time understanding a new code base or projectUse templates to develop a basic app. Then run, test, and deploy to Google Cloud, all with Duet AI assistanceSave time and increase code quality when writing testsHow to learn about Duet AIReady to get started using Duet AI? Go to the Duet AI in Google Cloud Learning Path, or dive directly into each of the role-based courses (1 to 2.5 hours each) within the learning path:Duet AI for Application DevelopersDuet AI for Cloud ArchitectsDuet AI for Data Scientists and AnalystsDuet AI for Network EngineersDuet AI for Security EngineersDuet AI for DevOps EngineersDuet AI for end-to-end SDLCLooking to build your cloud skills even more? Google Cloud Innovators Plus is a great way to access the Duet AI in Google Cloud learning path, and the entire catalog of Google Cloud Skills Boost on-demand training. Your membership gets you $1,500 in developer benefits for $299 a year, including Google Cloud Credits, a Google Cloud certification voucher, 1:1 access to experts, and more. Join here.

First established in 1999 as E-Mercury, Inc. MIXI, Inc. provides communication services in digital entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. And with the help of Google Cloud, MIXI has been able to train our team and acquire new cloud talent.Getting the attention of future employees by promoting training programsIn 2018, the Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry issued the “DX Report” and announced the “2025 Digital Cliff” warning, which highlights the significant issue around the declining competitiveness of domestic companies. This, coupled with news around a potential economic loss of up to 12 trillion JPY per year, has made the availability of talent a hot topic. One reason is the severe shortage of engineers. According to the report, there will be a shortfall of about 430,000 IT professionals in the workforce in 2025 in Japan, and signs of this are already evident through increased competition for engineers.As companies struggle to acquire excellent engineers, many are also accelerating efforts to develop in-house engineers to improve their competitiveness, and hosting developer relations (DevRel) activities to attract excellent engineers to their companies. With that in mind, we sought to highlight our technical capabilities and vision to attract potential candidates to MIXI.MIXI’s talent development programWe implemented a human resource development and acquisition strategy:1. Hosting training sessions: We are currently conducting a wide range of trainings mainly for new graduate engineers, as well as AI training for non-engineers. We also offer training sessions to help mid-career engineers learn about the technology we are paying attention to. This will be an opportunity for potential engineers to acquire the technological skills and knowledge with their long-term career prospects in mind.2. Offering self-service training: It is also important for employees to remain proactive about their self-improvement. Hence, we offer a wide range of training programs for existing staff. On top of having a finger on the pulse of emerging trends such as AI, which many employees are interested in, we also provide training sessions on UI/UX for both designers and engineers, while conducting data management training company-wide. This is part of our efforts to broaden our employees’ perspectives and increase their career options for the future.3. Continuously updating training content: More than just adding more training programs, we are also staying up to date with the latest technological trends by improving and reviewing the programs we offer every year. One example is in basic applications development. For development in the past, we tried to increase the number of people who can create iOS and Android natively.However, since cross-platform is becoming the norm, we are conducting sessions on the mobile app framework, Flutter. In addition, we have included training programs on incident handling. We plan to strengthen real-time communication for the next training session. These training materials and videos have been published for free, and available online since 2013. From 2020, we began publishing videos in response to the shift to remote training, so these can remain more accessible to employees. Among them, the training video that explains the Git version control system. The video explains its fundamental mechanisms and how it can be used to solve difficult problems. Git has also been certified as an internal standard development tool for the organization.Keeping engineers sharp with Google CloudPart of our vision to continue providing high-quality services is to consistently develop and hire talent. This was made possible with initiatives such as cooperating closely with Google Cloud to conduct training to prepare for Google Cloud certification in 2020.This is crucial because despite having engineers with sufficient in-house knowledge, we believe that an external cloud training, as conducted by a cloud service provider, is the best way to learn about the cloud. Even if our engineers use a different cloud solution eventually, they can easily adapt those skills to the solution they’re using, as long as they have the fundamental know-how.We also adopted Google Cloud training programs, including classroom training and on-demand training, that are available on Google Cloud Skills Boost. In addition, we attended the Advanced Solutions Lab (ASL) in 2019. This, in particular, was a catalyst for introducing AI at MIXI, with many employees expressing interest in taking the course again.Supporting the robust training for MIXIWe also established a DevRel group, and hosted our first technical conference for engineers, "MIXI Tech Conference 2023," over three days in March 2023. Led by the DevRel team, the conference serves as a venue for technical presentations and demos. This is to increase the opportunities and recognition of engineers by providing them with an opportunity to take the stage and deliver presentations to peers.In particular, this event offered a platform for MIXI employees in teams like Quality Assurance, who do not have much exposure to such learning opportunities, could present their efforts and technologies. Given that recent technical conferences tend to have a strong focus on specific themes, we wanted to conduct a broader and more comprehensive technology presentation that is unique to our company, as we provide a wide range of services. This resulted in generating more interest in MIXI than what we initially anticipated.At the same time, having the right presentation materials across various fields for training and conferences is valuable for the DevRel group. This was also beneficial to recruiters, who can now tap on their own trove of knowledge to find talents with specific technical skills.Nurturing a team of Google Cloud certified engineersThe instructor-led training (ILT) Google Cloud courses have seen at least 100 MIXI engineers participating in these sessions, including newly graduated engineers. Upon attending the courses, the engineers who honed their skills through these sessions will be considered work-ready experts, and are the first to be called upon to start any new programs and initiatives. We consider the fact that these experts are expanding their skill sets a great achievement. In addition, the participants seem to be having a lot of fun and are enthusiastic about the course.Moreover, those who attended the training course have said they would like other members of the same team to join the course, which indicates that they are very impressed with the results. With this feedback, we plan to increase the number of course attendees. At the same time, we want to provide training opportunities for employees, who are taking the courses out of personal interests, rather than an obligation to learn about a certain technology. These initiatives support our goal of expanding our technological capabilities, while ensuring that our engineers are Google Cloud certified. To date, 30+ MIXI engineers have earned their Google Cloud certification.That is why Google Cloud is the ideal partner in this project, with the team facilitating the friendly and open learning environment during the training sessions. As such, we look forward to learning more from the Google Cloud team.Discover how to innovate with confidence on your cloud journey with Google Cloud Consulting, where you can solve your biggest cloud challenges and focus on your business.

aside_block <ListValue: [StructValue([('title', 'Gain hands-on Gen AI experience for free'), ('body', <wagtail.rich_text.RichText object at 0x3e0e0e3ec460>), ('btn_text', 'Get started for free'), ('href', 'https://console.cloud.google.com/freetrial?redirectPath=/vertex-ai/generative/multimodal/create/text'), ('image', None)])]> Editor's note: Check out new generative AI trainings available from Google Cloud, in our latest blog 'Ten new generative AI trainings to upskill in 2024 with Duet AI' published in January 2024. The holiday season is upon us and 2024 is just around the corner. Generative AI has been a hot topic of conversation this year, so throughout December join us for 12 days of no-cost generative AI training to build your skills and knowledge.Give yourself the gift of learning. Check out our featured gen AI learning content in the form of on-demand courses, labs and videos to help validate your AI know-how into the New Year and beyond. These gen AI trainings are no-cost to watch and complete, no matter when you complete them this month.Start with the foundationsDesigned for any role or skill set, these learning opportunities will help you understand what generative AI is, how it can be used and how it is different from other types of machine learning. No technical experience needed.Generative AI, explained - What even is generative AI? Hear guesses from people on the street and unwrap the laughs (there were some funny responses), and get a quick high-level description in this 60 second video.Introduction to Generative AI - This 22 minute course includes a video, reading material, and a quiz to test your knowledge. You’ll learn about the fundamentals of AI and Google Cloud tools to help you develop your own gen AI apps.Introduction to Large Language Models - When you complete this course, you'll have a foundational understanding of large language models (LLMs), use cases, and how you can use prompt tuning to enhance LLM performance. The course and follow-up quiz should take about 30 minutes to finish.Generative AI Fundamentals Skill Badge - Complete three foundational-level courses and a quiz to earn a shareable Google Cloud skill badge to demonstrate your understanding of fundamental gen AI concepts.What is Generative AI Studio? - Check out this quick video to learn how you can use Generative AI Studio. Hint: anyone can try it, even without any code!Introduction to Generative AI Studio - Generative AI helps users prototype and customize models for use in applications. In this short video, you'll learn about Generative AI Studio's features, options, and uses in a product demo format.Introduction to Image Generation - In this video, learn about diffusion models — a family of machine learning models that can be used in image generation — that can be trained and deployed on Vertex AI. It's a quick view to help you learn in a flash.Introduction to Responsible AI - In this video you'll get an overview of responsible AI and how Google implements responsible AI into our products.Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with Google Cloud - Learn how to operationalize responsible AI in your organization in this set of video courses.Then continue with technical skillsAre you an application developer, database engineer, integration engineer, or security engineer? Then check out these technical training options below.The Arcade - Get hands-on knowledge in the Google Cloud environment by completing generative AI labs for no-cost through this gamified experience. Bonus: you’ll accumulate points to earn Google Cloud swag. Game on!Gen AI Bootcamp - Gen AI Bootcamp is a series of workshops available on-demand. You'll progress from foundational to advanced topics. Practitioners can follow start-to-finish, and experienced Gen AI developers can jump straight into the more advanced sessions.What is Codey? Learn in 60 seconds - Come up with an idea… and then code it! Learn how Codey helps write code, even for beginners. It only takes a minute to find out how.For these and all our generative AI training content, visit Google Cloud Skills Boost.

As the growth in cloud technology continues, so too does the demand for cloud-skilled professionals. To meet this demand, we’re sharing ways we are supporting businesses and professionals with new opportunities for training and certification.Three new skill badgesSince June 2020, Google Cloud has been leading the way in awarding learning credentials, including skill badges and role-based certifications. To date, people have earned more than 1,500,000 Google Cloud skill badges, helping meet the need for more identifiable cloud-skilled talent.Today, we’re excited to share that we've added three new skill badges, bringing our learning portfolio to 80+ skill badges covering in-demand topics ranging from security, data, and AI. To meet the global demand for cloud skills, several skill badges are available in 11 languages, with over 20 available in French, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese.These three new skill badges reflect areas of particularly high demand and opportunity, including data architectures, cybersecurity, and AI:[Introductory] Build a Data Mesh with Dataplex[Intermediate] Mitigate Threats and Vulnerabilities with Security Command Center[Intermediate] Build Custom Processors with Document AIOf note, the Generative AI Fundamentals skill badge, which launched in June 2023, has been Google Cloud’s most rapidly adopted skill badge in history, reflecting the tremendous interest from learners, employers, and customers to implement generative AI technology. This skill badge is available in 11 languages, and was recently made available in Ukrainian and Polish at the Google Cloud Summit in Poland.Through skill badges, Google Cloud issues verified digital credentials, upon completion of skills-based assessments. These skill badges can be shared on social platforms, often used by recruiters to identify talent for open roles.In 2022, Google Cloud commissioned a third-party research firm, Gallup, to conduct a global study on the impact of Google Cloud skill badges. Skill badge holders reported that they feel well equipped with the variety of skills gained through skill badge attainment, that they are more confident in their cloud skills, are excited to promote their skills to their professional network, and are able to leverage skill badges to achieve future learning goals, including a Google Cloud certification. Download the full skill badge impact report to learn more.You can discover the full portfolio of 80+ skill badges available on Google Cloud Skills Boost. What are Google Cloud skill badges? A new model for certification renewalIn addition to skill badges, we recently launched a lab exam as a new model for renewing the Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) certification. The hands-on nature of the lab exam ensures that candidates are assessed on their ability to apply their skills to real-world scenarios. The exam can be completed at any time and from any location — accommodating busy professionals.94% of surveyed participants believe that the hands-on renewal experience allowed them to demonstrate their knowledge and experience as a Cloud Engineer.98% of surveyed participants reported that the hands-on renewal experience is one they would recommend to a colleague who needed to recertify.The renewal lab exam is now available for the Google Cloud Associate Engineer certification. Eligible candidates will receive an invitation and will also see an announcement after logging into their Google Cloud Certification Account on the new CertMetrics portal. This new portal simplifies the certification experience for Google Cloud certified individuals. The portal is a one-stop shop that enables earners to update their profile information, schedule an exam, claim any certification benefits such as swag and exam discounts, view the latest Google Cloud news and announcements.Helping businesses grow talentThis skills-based approach not only helps individuals in their job search, but also employers, looking to retain and develop their existing teams. Google Cloud partners like HCL and Cognizant have empowered their teams to earn thousands of Google Cloud skill badges, giving their employees hands-on experience and confidence to achieve future learning and career goals.“Hands-on labs and skill badges have provided our learners at HCL with the motivation and engagement required to complete training – resulting in higher growth in certifications (145% YoY) achieved in our team in 2023. As a whole, Google Cloud skill badges help our teams quickly learn skills they need to deploy specific workloads.” - Dr. Narendra Singh Bhati, Vice President & Service Delivery Head, HCLTech“At Cognizant, we’ve used Google Cloud skill badges to not only upskill talent to meet growing client requirements for AI modernization, but to drive excitement and engagement for our teams to progress their career path. We’ve recently celebrated our employees' proficiency with Google Cloud products and services, and recognized incremental achievements on their AI/ML learning journey with more than 3500 Generative AI Skill Badges earned.” - Brian DeLarber, Global Leader, Google Business Group, Cognizant

The cloud is constantly evolving, making upskilling and reskilling an important time investment. During November, we are featuring no-cost, on-demand and live training videos and courses for both technical and non-technical roles. Spanning introductory to more advanced levels, training options cover three of our most popular topics: generative AI, the basics of Google Cloud, and Google Cloud certification preparation.Take a look at the suggested training below to move forward in your learning journey. You can even earn learning credentials to share on your developer profile, resumé and LinkedIn profile. Keep reading to get started.Understanding Google Cloud foundational content for any roleHere are some options for learners who are either technical practitioners, or in tech-adjacent roles, like HR, sales, and marketing that work with Google Cloud products, or with teams who do.These foundational-level courses help you learn about Google Cloud technology and how it can benefit your organization. Comprised of videos and quizzes, you should be able to finish them during part of a morning or afternoon when you have a bit of extra time. Complete all four courses below to help you prepare for the Cloud Digital Leader certification.Digital Transformation with Google Cloud - Dig into cloud technology, the concept of digital technology, and how they work together.Innovating with Data and Google Cloud - Find out how data can unlock value and create new experiences for customers.Infrastructure and Application Modernization with Google Cloud - Explore legacy systems and cloud technology solutions, and options for modernization.Understanding Google Cloud Security and Operations - Examine cost management, security, and operations in the cloud.#LearnGenerativeAIWe have a mix of options to help you learn about generative AI as this area of technology becomes more available.Introduction to Generative AI - No technical background required. This learning path explains generative AI, large learning models, responsible AI, and applying AI principles with Google Cloud.Gen AI Bootcamp - This is a series of three sessions for developers who want to explore gen AI solutions. As the month goes on, the topics progress from introductory to advanced, and you can jump in at any time. The sessions are running as live events throughout November — register here to reserve your spot. They will also be available on-demand.Generative AI with Google Cloud: Getting Started with Model Garden on Vertex AI- Learn how Vertex AI helps developers work with foundation models. The live event takes place on November 8th and provides an opportunity for Q&A with the experts. It’ll also be available on-demand.Prepare for Google Cloud Certification with no-cost resourcesEarning a Google Cloud certification demonstrates your cloud knowledge to employers and validates your understanding of Google Cloud products and solutions. The skill set for each role-based certification is assessed using thorough industry-standard methods, and your achievement is recognized by passing a certification exam. Google Cloud certifications are among the highest paying IT certifications, and 87% of users feel more confident in their cloud skills when they are #GoogleCloudCertified.Google Cloud certifications are offered for three levels: foundational (no-hands on experience required), associate (6+ months recommended of building on Google Cloud), and professional (3+ years of industry experience and 1+ year using Google Cloud recommended). They span roles like cloud architect, cloud engineer, and data engineer. Explore the full portfolio to find out which certification is right for you.You’ll start working towards certification by utilizing training resources to help you prepare for the certification exam, and getting hands-on experience where indicated. Some certifications also offer a no-cost course to help you in preparing you for the exam: learn about the domains covered in the exam, assess your exam readiness, and create a study plan. No-cost exam guides and sample questions are also available for all the certification exams. Here are the courses to learn more:Preparing for your Associate Cloud Engineer JourneyPreparing for your Professional Data Engineer JourneyPreparing for your Professional Cloud Architect JourneyPreparing for your Professional Cloud Security Engineer JourneyPreparing for your Professional Cloud Network Engineer JourneyAnother way to work towards certification is by checking out ‘Level up your cloud career with Google Cloud credentials and certifications’ on Innovators Live. We talked with Google Cloud Champion Innovators, who offer tips for the certification journey and share how they’ve approached their learning journey. Watch here.

To address the chronic shortage of security talent, Google Cloud has introduced a new virtual, lab-based training for Security Command Center, our flagship cloud security solution. The new lab, Mitigate Threats and Vulnerabilities with Security Command Center, has no security knowledge prerequisites and can be completed in just six hours.Non-security IT professionals can gain the skills to discover security vulnerabilities, identify potential threats to cloud resources, and respond to security issues across a Google Cloud environment. The lab can also help reduce toil for security professionals by providing a non-production environment in which they can experiment and hone their skills to increase overall productivity.After completing the lab and final challenge, participants will receive a skill badge, a digital credential that demonstrates proficiency with Security Command Center.Designed by Google Cloud Security expertsThe lab curriculum and challenge tests were developed by Google Cloud security experts, and cover core Security Command Center capabilities in a practical, hands-on format. This is the first skill badge and training asset dedicated to Security Command Center and is available to Google Cloud customers and partners.The curriculum includes the following labs:Getting Started with Security Command Center provides an overview of Security Command Center’s user interface, with an explanation of key security terms and concepts. Participants will learn about the types of threats and vulnerabilities reported by Security Command Center. The lab also includes instructions on how to deactivate and mute non-relevant findings to improve security operations.Analyzing Findings with Security Command Center shows how to augment Security Command Center’s built-in analysis capabilities by exporting security findings, integrating with popular SIEM solutions, and publishing findings to Google Cloud’s BiqQuery for external analysis and report generation.Identify Application Vulnerabilities with Security Command Center explains how to use Web Security Scanner to discover vulnerabilities in web applications running in Google Cloud. Lab participants have an opportunity to launch a web application that is vulnerable to cross-site scripting attacks, scan the application for weaknesses, and then remediate the vulnerability.Detect and Investigate Threats with Security Command Center shows how Security Command Center’s threat detection services can find malicious activity in a Google Cloud environment. Participants will learn how cloud logs are used to detect suspicious activity, and how a vulnerable web service powered by Google Kubernetes Engine can be exploited.Challenge Lab, the capstone to the course, where participants can test their skills by analyzing detailed information produced by Security Command Center to find a solution to a common security event.To register for Security Command Center lab-based training, purchase credits and go to Mitigate Threats and Vulnerabilities with Security Command Center. Go to the Google Cloud console to get started today with Security Command Center.

Looking to up your generative AI game? Now you can build your technical gen AI skills for Google Cloud environment in The Arcade, a no-cost, gamified learning experience that features new games each month. Every month, you’ll play games based on labs from Google Cloud Skills Boost to get hands-on experience with Google Cloud’s powerful AI tools: Vertex AI, and Generative AI Studio.In addition to The Arcade, we have other no-cost resources to help you in your AI learning journey. This foundational-level training content will help you get ready for the technical upskilling found in The Arcade. Read on to learn about the ways you can be prepared and stand out to potential employers.Gen AI in The Arcade this month: prompt engineeringIn October, The Arcade’s gen AI game is focused on prompt engineering, to teach you to fine-tune your text prompts to get the most out of Google Cloud’s gen AI tools.These games are geared towards developers, cloud enthusiasts, and AI/ML engineers, you’ll complete a set of labs to gain a deeper understanding of how to create meaningful prompts.Head over to The Arcade to begin the gen AI game, and continue to play other games and complete trivia to hone your cloud skills in upcoming months. There is no cost to complete games, no matter how many you play.Learn additional foundational cloud skills at no-costIn addition to the monthly gen AI games, The Arcade offers introductory and more advanced games based on labs to help improve your cloud skills. These are no-cost, with different topics featured each month.In October, play The Arcade to learn about data analysis and serverless technology — no prior experience needed. You can also try your hand at security and monitoring to learn about Google Cloud’s security tools and techniques.How to play games in The ArcadeThis is how it works:Sign up for The Arcade to activate your account, and join Google Cloud Skills Boost if you’re not already registered.Start the games anytime during the given month.Finish the games before they close, typically at the end of the given month.Complete the labs and skill badges that are part of the games to earn points. You’ll also earn badges to share on your Google Developer Profile to enhance your resumé.Accumulate points to use in the Prize Counter to claim Google Cloud swag!Need help solving a game? Check out the Google Cloud Community to collaborate with peers.Earn more points for more swagSince we feature new games each month, you accumulate points over time to redeem prizes from the Prize Counter; keep an eye on your email for The Arcade Insider about upcoming Prize Counter dates. The Prize Counter usually opens twice per year, with the next time scheduled for December.You can also participate in our weekly Trivia Challenge for a chance to earn points while testing your knowledge. This is a look at how your points will tally: More points means more prizes, so play as often as you can. Previous swag has included hats, mugs, pens, and more.Want a chance for even more points? Seasonal campaigns offer unique challenges that can multiply your points. The Arcade Insider and the Learning & Certification Hub in the Google Cloud Community are the best ways to stay informed.Other no-cost ways to learn about gen AI#LearnGenerativeAI VIDEO SERIESIf you are just getting started with gen AI and want to learn the basics, check out this video series to understand the technology and how to use it — all in 60 second bites or less. You’ll also meet some of the people behind the products from Google. For a quick learning experience, watch here now.INTRODUCTION TO GENERATIVE AI COURSEThis no-cost foundational course gets into the details of gen AI and takes about 45 minutes to complete. You’ll learn what gen AI is, how to use it, how it’s different from machine learning, and about Google Cloud tools that you can use to develop your own apps. Get started here.INTRODUCTION TO GENERATIVE AI LEARNING PATHThis no-cost learning path includes four courses, and you will earn a skill badge upon completion for your Google Developer Profile and resumé to validate your knowledge. You’ll get an introduction to gen AI, large language models, responsible AI, and how to apply AI principals with Google Cloud. Begin here.Join us in The ArcadeThe training opportunities above are a foundation to get you prepared for the technical labs in The Arcade. Together, this training can help you enhance your knowledge to prepare and position yourself as a candidate to help meet the skills for in-demand gen AI roles. When you're ready, head over to The Arcade to get started on building those technical skills!

Generative AI is a type of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) that is garnering a lot of attention right now, and we want to help keep you a step ahead by sharing the latest training available from Google Cloud. In this blog, we have compiled resources to help you learn about generative AI, how it can impact your business, and how to use it.We have brand-new generative AI training options, and are constantly adding to our training catalog on Google Cloud Skills Boost. This includes two learning paths that each feature comprehensive content: one is for the non-technical audience (introductory) ‘Introduction to Generative AI learning path’, and the other is for technical practitioners (more advanced) ‘Generative AI for Developers learning path’. Prefer less of a time commitment? Opt for individual courses and labs with the topics that suit your specific interest.Powered by Google Cloud technology, generative AI is reimagining the way that organizations do business by leveraging data. The use cases are far-ranging, from having smarter conversations with and creating rich experiences for customers, to enhancing business processes, to helping developers write code, and more.Google Cloud has been working for decades to bring AI technology solutions to organizations, and our tools make it easier to build experiences across our cloud portfolio. Whether you’re executive-level, an IT decision maker, in a non-technical role, or a technical practitioner, we have videos, courses and labs to help you learn about the power of generative AI. Plus, labs give you direct access to Generative AI Studio and Vertex AI (Google Cloud’s machine learning platform) to get hands-on, technical experience. Get started with our training list below.No-cost foundational courses: no technical experience neededDon’t have a lot of time but want to learn the basics? Our no-cost Introduction to Generative AI course is a great place to start. It takes about 45 minutes to finish.If getting started has you hungry to learn more, continue your no-cost learning to earn the Generative AI Fundamentals skill badge. It includes the course above, plus two other courses: ‘Introduction to Large Language Models’ and ‘Introduction to Responsible AI’. In total, this takes about two hours to complete and you’ll earn a digital skill badge to share on your resume and social channels to validate your foundational understanding of Google Cloud generative AI technology.Dig in deeper with our generative AI learning pathsFor a more comprehensive learning experience, choose from our two new gen AI learning paths — a mix of courses, labs and skill badges. Please note: we plan to add new trainings to this list, so keep checking back for more. Introduction to Generative AI - this path includes no-cost video courses. Content is non-technical, introductory, and designed for the tech-adjacent audience: roles like sales, HR, marketing and operations. Here is a look at the content:Introduction to Generative AI - courseIntroduction to Large Language Models - courseIntroduction to Responsible AI - courseGenerative AI Fundamentals - earn a skill badgeResponsible AI: Applying AI Principals with Google Cloud - courseGenerative AI for Developers - this path includes a combination of technical hands-on labs and courses and requires Google Cloud credits to complete. It is designed for technical developers who work with gen AI, and includes the introductory training as a prerequisite. Content includes:Responsible AI for Developers - courseIntroduction to Image Generation - courseAttention Mechanism - courseEncoder-Decoder Architecture - courseTransformer Models and BERT Model - courseCreate Image Captioning Models - courseIntroduction to Generative AI Studio - courseGenerative AI Explorer: Vertex AI - earn a skill badge Explore and Evaluate Models Using Model Garden - labPrompt Design Using PaLM - labGain technical experience with labsWe currently offer these generative AI labs for anyone looking to get some hands-on experience by working directly in Google Cloud:Get Started with Generative AI Studio (requires one credit) - introductory, 60 minutesGenerative AI with Vertex AI: Getting Started (requires one credit) - introductory, 90 minutesGenerative AI with Vertex AI: Prompt Design (requires one credit) - introductory, 90 minutesVertex AI PaLM API: Qwik Start (requires one credit) - introductory, 60 minutesIntegrate Search in Applications Using Gen AI App Builder (requires five credits) - introductory, 90 minutesPrompt Design using PaLM (requires one credit)  - intermediate, 90 minutesExplore and Evaluate Models using Model Garden (requires five credits) - intermediate, 60 minutesText embeddings with DeepLearning.AI and Andrew NgWe have brand new content built in collaboration with DeepLearning.AI, taught by Andrew Ng, founder of DeepLearning.AI and a globally recognized leader on the topic. Enroll for no-cost in “Understanding and Applying Text Embeddings with Vertex AI” to learn various tasks like classification, outlier detection, text clustering, and semantic search. You’ll also learn to integrate them into LLM applications. Check out the video below to hear about these exciting opportunities found within text embeddings and generative AI. New Generative AI Course featuring Andrew Ng New for technical practitioners: Intro to AI and MLLearn the big picture of how Google supports the data-to-AI journey and how generative AI is embedded in the AI development platform in our new course, Introduction to AI and Machine Learning on Google Cloud, designed mainly for technical practitioners — AI developers, data scientists, and ML engineers. The course covers the technologies, products and tools used to build an ML model, an ML pipeline, and a gen AI project based on the goals of data and AI practitioners. Made up of four primary modules that include labs and quizzes, this introductory course takes about six hours to complete and requires 12 credits. Stay on the cloud fast track with Innovators PlusGenerative AI is  constantly evolving, and we’re developing new training materials to help you keep your career knowledge and skills up to date. An Innovators Plus subscription gives you access not only to generative AI content, but the full Google Cloud Skills Boost catalog of on-demand training for a whole year. You get $1,500 in developer benefits for only $299, including up to $1,000 in Google Cloud credits. Considering getting certified? You’ll also get an exam voucher, plus special access to Google Cloud experts and execs, live learning events, and more to round out your knowledge. Check out the details and sign up here.

There’s been an explosion in demand for generative AI skills in the past six months, and it just keeps growing. The productivity savings from gen AI alone could add trillions of dollars in value to the global economy.1 That’s why this year at Google Cloud Next, we’ve made learning new generative AI skills a top priority, with the latest cloud technology front and center stage! Check out everything we have available for developers to learn at the Innovators Hive during Next, covering all the in-demand cloud skills and new technology you need to be successful today and in the future.This August 29-31, join us at Next in San Francisco to gain access to these unique learning opportunities, from training workshops and certification renewals, to demos and learning challenges. Come and collect special swag, get hands on with the latest cloud technology, and connect with experts in the community. We have so much planned that you do not want to miss! Secure your ticket and register today. Already have your ticket? Here are ten ways to accelerate your learning at Google Cloud Next. 1. Complete your no-cost Generative AI skill badge and pick up limited edition swag Time to show off your knowledge and skills by earning the new, no-cost Generative AI Fundamentals skill badge before or during Next. Watch the videos, and complete the short quizzes, earn the skill badge, and share on your social channels with #GoogleCloudBadge. Show us your skill badge at the Learning & Certification booth to pick up your limited edition swag at Next. Get started on the skill badge today.  2. Boost your brainpower - Add a training workshop to your agenda   Whether you’re conjuring your first VM and meandering through the mysterious mazes of gen AI, or showcasing a shiny new Associate Cloud Engineer certification on your wall, you can help turbocharge your career by attending one of our training workshops. Individuals who get Google Cloud trained and certified report higher salaries and greater confidence in their work2, so prioritize the time to invest in yourself. Sessions are available for a variety of skill levels, and will be delivered as gamified competitions, hands-on learning, in-person training, in-person presentations, and re-certification testing. With swag available for learning leaders, you’ll come away with new cloud skills that will help advance your career. Book your training workshop seat today - seats are filling up fast! 3. Say hi to us at the Learning & Certification booth in the Innovators Hive  Is it just us, or does it feel like it’s been way too long since we met in real life? Drop by the Learning and Certification booth to chat with training experts, interact with the latest learning materials, pick up swag, find out the latest skills credentials, and even snap a photo at our photowall (props included!). 4. Unlock great learning benefits with Innovators Plus Spoiler alert: If you have a full three-day conference pass for Next, you already have amazing learning benefits at your fingertips through Innovators Plus. These include access to all the on-demand training available on Google Cloud Skills Boost, a certification voucher, $500 in Google Cloud credits, with a bonus of $500 additional credits when you get Google Cloud certified. You also get access to invite-only events including quarterly technical briefings, live learning events, and the opportunity to schedule up to two 1:1 consultations with Google Cloud experts. Be sure to link your Developer Profile to your Next registration (review the “Google Developer Profile” tab of the Next FAQs if you need help with this), and look out for an email from Innovators Plus to unlock these additional benefits. 5. Join the 2023 Google Cloud Fly Cup Challenge Are you ready to take your Google Cloud skills to the next level? Join the Google Cloud Fly Cup Challenge, created in collaboration with The Drone Racing League (DRL), where you can predict drone racing results using DRL data, provide tips to DRL pilots, and help them enhance their season performance.The Challenge opens on August 15th at 12:01 AM PDT to all developers, regardless of skill level, and lets you explore the power of Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools. Through the challenge, you can:  Analyze real-world data with BigQuery and Dataflow Create predictive models with AutoML and TensorFlowDeploy a trained model using Vertex AICompete against fellow data enthusiasts Register for Next to participate in the 2023 Google Cloud Fly Cup Challenge. 6. Renew your Associate Cloud Engineer certification If your Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer certification expired in 2023 — or is about to — we have an exciting opportunity for you: renew your Associate Cloud Engineer certification onsite at Next ‘23! Take 90 minutes to complete a hands-on lab to test your skills, and renew your certification. If you’re interested in participating in the preview, register for Next and include your Associate Cloud Engineer certification link in your Next registration profile (See image 1). If you’re already registered, navigate to your Next profile by clicking on your avatar in the top right. On your Next profile page, click on the “Champions/Cloud Certification” box and include the requested information. This will allow you to pre-register for the Associate Cloud Engineer public preview. Next online registration form to identify you are Google Cloud Certified and express interest in renewing your Associate Cloud Engineer certification. 7. Complete the Cloud Quizathon in the Persona Areas Find your Persona Area in the Innovators Hive and take 10 minutes to play the Google Cloud Quizathon, where you can test your Google Cloud knowledge and win prizes. This fun and interactive quiz-based game will test your knowledge of basic Google Cloud concepts.  Answer as many questions as you can and earn your spot on the leaderboard. Top winners on each leaderboard will get prizes including swag, button pins, stickers, and more.8. Join a Cloud Learning breakout session Interested to learn more about the impact training and certification can have on your organization’s culture? Learn how customers have transformed their teams through investing in training and certification with Google Cloud. Explore how to prepare for the most in-demand Google Cloud certification exams and find out about the latest generative AI learning resources available from Google Cloud. Review the Cloud Learning and Certification playlist and add sessions to your schedule. 9. Learn the latest and make new connections at the Community HubPrepare to embark on a quest for connections in Innovators Hive. Dive headfirst into the latest on Google Cloud at our lightning talks stage in the Community Hub and feel free to come chat, connect, and learn about different Google communities to find the right one for you. Be sure to add the Community Hub lightning talks to your agenda. 10. Live it up at the Champions and Certified Lounge Exclusively for Champion Innovators and the Google Cloud Certified community, come visit the lounge to relax or network. There will be light refreshments and snacks, curated lightning talks, and a photowall to capture and share your experiences. Make sure to identify yourself as a Champion Innovator or Google Cloud Certified when you register for Next on your Profile page (see image 1). We are counting down the days to our biggest event of the year. Are you in? Come learn with us at Next in San Francisco — we hope to see you there! Register today.1. McKinsey Digital, June 14, 2023. ‘The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier’2. Based on survey responses from the 2020 Google Cloud certification impact report.

Azure Red Hat OpenShift is now DoD IL4 certified, allows you to deploy infrastructure nodes without an OpenShift subscription fee, and provides increased security by allowing private clusters without public IP.

Do you have a background in building and managing cloud architecture projects in AWS or Azure? Are you looking to expand those skills to Google Cloud? Google Cloud Learning has got you covered.With the rise of multicloud architecture and agile environments, coupled with the growing cloud skills gap, translating and certifying your knowledge and skills from one cloud to another cloud provider can help boost your resume, helping you stand out in the industry.To support you on your path to developing your multicloud skill set, we’ve illustrated a new #GCPSketchnote to provide a view of the technologies you should learn to become a multicloud architect. What are the basic skills you need to work across all major clouds?It’s important to have a foundational level of cloud knowledge for at least one cloud provider. On top of that, we’ve listed some of the core skills you will need to architect on Identity - Identity and Access Management (IAM), Role-based Access Controls (RBAC), Google Cloud Directory SyncSecurity - Key management, access controls, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), Web Application Firewall (WAF), etc.}Kubernetes - Control planes, scaling rules, provisioning, etcOpen source - operating systems, underlying OSS, open source frameworksDevOps - Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), Agile, Scrum, rapid prototyping, etc.Operations and management - Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) integration, policies, chargeback, hierarchies, and moreNetwork concepts and topologies - hub-n-spoke, VNET/VPCs, interconnect vs. ExpressRoute, hairpinning, High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR), load balancers, etc.}Data repos and movement - BigQuery vs. Synapse/Redshift, Kafka vs. DataProcAutomating deployments - JSON, Terraform, Git, Puppet, Chef, etcAPIs - lifecycle management, proxies, integration, securityAI and ML - generative AI, regular AI, tooling, ML modeling, etcCourses to help you translate AWS and/or Azure skills to Google CloudGoogle Cloud Skills Boost offers two learning paths that are especially designed for professionals who already use and build cloud solutions on AWS and/or Azure. The courses and labs within these learning paths help learners understand the similarities and differences between the services provided by Google Cloud, Azure and AWS, helping you answer, “I do this on Azure; what is the equivalent on Google Cloud?” As a bonus, complete the learning path to earn an industry-recognized Google Cloud skill badge, which you can add to your resume. The learning path will also help prepare cloud professionals for the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification.Follow the sketchnote:Cloud Architect Accelerated Learning Path for AWS professionalsCloud Architect Accelerated Learning Path for Azure professionalsAlready certified in another cloud? A tip for those looking to earn a Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification, who already have the AWS Solutions Architect Professional Certification and the Azure Architect Expert Certifications, keep in mind some of the differences between these cloud certification exams.The AWS Solutions Architect Professional Certification generally requires more practical experience with AWS services, architectures, and deployments. Exam takers are expected to have hands-on experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale solutions specifically using AWS, and the exam delves into advanced architectural concepts, high availability, fault tolerance, cost optimization, and complex multi-tier application design on AWS.The Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification requires significant experience with Azure administration, architectures, and deployments. Exam takers are expected to have hands-on experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale solutions specifically using Azure, and need to be familiar with DevOps, code debugging (ex: JSON), networking security, and data. The Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect Certification validates general architecture and industry experience, as well as specific hands-on experience with Google Cloud. Exam takers should be experienced in software development methodologies and approaches including multi-tiered distributed applications which span multi-cloud or hybrid environments. And, don’t miss the no-cost resource that helps you prepare for your Google Cloud certification: Preparing for the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect journeyLearn more about and register for the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification here, and get started building your multicloud skills today. New users are eligible for a 30-day no-cost trial on Google Cloud Skills Boost.

You may have your summer reading list. Now it’s time for your summer learning list! We’ve compiled the top no-cost courses and labs from Google Cloud Skills Boost to help you on your cloud career path. Build the in-demand cloud skills for top cloud roles, while also boosting your resume with credentials to validate your knowledge. Enrich your current position, or work towards your targeted destination.Plus, visit The Arcade for additional opportunities to work on your technical abilities directly in Google Cloud around featured monthly topics. There is no cost to play the games! Keep reading to learn more.Top 5 no-cost courses — earn badges upon completion!These introductory courses take 90 - 120 minutes to complete. They consist of a mix of videos, documents and quizzes, and you’ll earn a shareable badge upon completion. Enhance your resume and LinkedIn profile by sharing your badges. To share, ensure that you’ve set your Google Cloud Skills Boost profile to ‘public’ in your settings and follow the steps in the video below. #1 - Digital Transformation with Google Cloud (Introductory, 90 minutes) - If you’re new to cloud or are in a cloud-adjacent role, like sales, marketing or HR, be sure to check out this meaningful and impactful course. You’ll learn why cloud technology is transforming businesses, some fundamental cloud concepts and about the major cloud computing models. #2 - Preparing for your Google Cloud Certification journey (Introductory through intermediate, 90 - 120 minutes) - Google Cloud certification has many benefits, including showing potential employers that you are proficient in a given technology; plus, certified practitioners report that they are more involved in decision making and earn higher pay. When choosing the best certification, start by looking at your current role, and then the role you’d like to have. Align with the certification that fits most closely. Check out these no-cost courses to help you prepare. And, evaluate which Google Cloud certification is right for you: Cloud Digital Leader, Associate Cloud Engineer, or one of nine Google Cloud Professional Certifications.#3 - Innovating with Data and Google Cloud (Introductory, 120 minutes) - Learn about data and machine learning in the cloud. You’ll also be introduced to structured and unstructured data, databases, data warehouses and data lakes.#4 - Infrastructure and Application Modernization with Google Cloud (Introductory, 120 minutes) - Learn about modernizing legacy and traditional IT infrastructure. This course covers compute options and the benefits of each, APIs, and Google Cloud solutions that can help businesses better manage their systems.#5 - Understanding Google Cloud Security and Operations (Introductory, 90 minutes) - Learn about cost management, security, and operations in the cloud. Explore the choice between owned infrastructure and cloud services, responsibility of data security, and the best way to manage IT resources. Top 5 no-cost labsWant to get hands-on practice in Google Cloud? Whether you’re new to cloud, or an experienced professional who wants to expand your skill set, labs are a great way to get directly into Google Cloud technology and build your technical skills#1 - A Tour of Google Cloud Hands-on Labs (Introductory, 45 minutes) - Identify key features of Google Cloud and learn about the details of the lab environment.#2 - A Tour of Google Cloud Sustainability (Introductory, 60 minutes) - Find out why Google Cloud is the cleanest cloud in the industry by exploring and utilizing sustainability tools.#3 - Google Cloud Pub/Sub: Qwik Start - Console (Introductory, 30 minutes) - Learn about this messaging service for exchanging event data among applications and services.#4 - BigQuery: Qwik Start - Console - (Introductory, 30 minutes) - Query public tables and load sample data into BigQuery.#5 - Predict Visitor Purchases with a Classification Model in BigQuery ML (Intermediate, 75 minutes) - Use data to run some typical queries that businesses would want to know about their customers' purchasing habits.The Arcade Come play games with us in The Arcade for another chance to build your cloud skills — no quarters required! Every month we feature two games that include labs from Google Cloud Skills Boost. These give you experience that you can use immediately in a real-world cloud environment. You’ll earn digital badges, and accumulate points that you can use twice per year to claim Google Cloud swag. And there is never a cost to play, so keep coming back to learn more!Innovators PlusThe items above are just a sampling of over 700 on-demand training opportunities available in the full catalog on Google Cloud Skills Boost. While everything we’ve shared above does not have a cost to complete, some trainings do require credits. For $299 a year, a Google Cloud Innovators Plus subscription gets you over $1,500 in benefits, including access to the entire Google Cloud Skills Boost catalog. It also includes up to $1000 Google Cloud credits, a certification voucher, special access to Google Cloud experts and execs, live learning events, and more.* Check it out to invest in your learning and accelerate your cloud career.* subject to eligibility limitations

Mv2 8TB Memory virtual machine is generally available now for your in-memory workloads.

Get greater visibility into current and historic Kubernetes spend and resource allocation..

Azure Firewall Premium Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) certification from ICSA Labs is now available.

Edge Secured-Core is a certification program that extends the Secured-Coreinto IoT and Edge devices.

Use Azure Communication Services APIs for voice, video, and messaging in US Government cloud.

Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Hyperscale (Citus), a managed service running the open-source Postgres database on Azure is now compliant with FedRAMP High.

Data stewards can now certify assets that meet their organization's quality standards in the Azure Purview data catalog

New compliance certifications are now available on Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Hyperscale (Citus), a managed service running the open-source Postgres database on Azure.

New compliance certifications are now available on Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Hyperscale (Citus), a managed service running the open-source Postgres database on Azure.

New compliance certifications are now available on Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Hyperscale (Citus), a managed service running the open-source Postgres database on Azure.

New Toolkit certifications are now available on Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Hyperscale (Citus), a managed service running the open-source Postgres database on Azure.

With this certification, U.S. government and public sector customers can now use Azure VMware Solution as a compliant FedRAMP cloud computing environment, ensuring it meets the demanding standards for security and information protection.

Azure expands offering and region coverage to Azure customers with its 2021 HITRUST validated assessment.

New certifications are now available for Hyperscale (Citus) on Azure Database for PostgreSQL, a managed service running the open-source Postgres database on Azure.

You can now leverage Azure’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification across all live Azure regions.

Azure expands its depth of offerings to Azure customers with its latest independent HITRUST assessment.

Azure’s PCI 3DS Attestation of Compliance, PCI 3DS Shared Responsibility Matrix, and PCI 3DS whitepaper are now available.

With this certification, customers can now use Azure Databricks to process the U.S. government’s most sensitive, unclassified data in cloud computing environments, including data that involves the protection of life and financial assets.

We are expanding our SAP HANA certifications, enabling you to run production SAP HANA workloads on the Edsv4 virtual machines sizes.

Azure gives you some of the industry’s broadest certifications for the critical SOC 1, 2, and 3 compliance offering, which is widely used around the world.

A unified and enhanced Azure Certified Device program was announced at Microsoft Ignite, expanding on previous Microsoft certification offerings that validate IoT devices meet specific capabilities and are built to run on Azure. This program offers a low-cost opportunity for device builders to increase visibility of their products while making it easy for solution builders and end customers to find the right device for their IoT solutions.

New Azure IoT Security product updates include improvements around monitoring, edge nesting and the availability of Azure Defender for IoT.

IoT Plug and Play device certification is now available from Microsoft as part of the Azure Certified device program.

Azure has added an important compliance offering for telecommunications in France, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Security Accreditation Scheme for Subscription Management (SAS-SM).

To help you meet your compliance obligations across regulated industries and markets worldwide, Azure Red Hat OpenShift is now ISO 27001 certified.

Several critical updates have been made to Azure Lighthouse, including FEDRAMP certification, delegation opt-out, and Azure Backup reports.

The SLA guarantee for Azure NetApp Files has increased to 99.99 percent. In addition, NetApp Files is now HIPAA and FedRAMP certified, and regional availability has been increased.

We now support Kubernetes cluster deployment on Azure Stack Hub, a certified Kubernetes Cloud Provider. Install Kubernetes using Azure Resource Manager templates generated by ACS Engine on Azure Stack Hub.

Excerpt: Azure Firewall is now ICSA Labs certified. In addition, several key Azure Firewall capabilities have recently been released into general availability (GA) and preview.

The Azure IoT Java and C# SDKs have each now released new long-term support (LTS) branches.

Azure HPC Cache has received new SO27001, 27018 and 27701 certifications, adds new features to manage storage caching in performance-driven workloads and expands service access to Korea Central.

The Azure Blueprint for FedRAMP High is now available in both Azure Government and Azure Public regions. This is in addition to the Azure Blueprint for FedRAMP Moderate released in November, 2019.

Azure Databricks is now certified for the HITRUST Common Security Framework (HITRUST CSF®), the most widely coveted security accreditation for the healthcare industry. With this certification, health care customers can now use volumes of clinical data to drive innovation using Azure Databricks, without any worry about security and risk.

Microsoft recently announced plans to establish a new cloud datacenter region in Qatar to deliver its intelligent, trusted cloud services and expand the Microsoft global cloud infrastructure to 55 cloud regions in 20 countries.

Azure NetApp Files , one of the fastest growing bare-metal Azure services, has achieved SAP HANA certification for both scale-up and scale-out deployments.

Azure achieved certification for TruSight, an industry-backed, best-practices third-party assessment utility.

With IoT Plug and Play Preview, solution developers can start using Azure IoT Central to build solutions that integrate seamlessly with IoT devices enabled with IoT Plug and Play.

We continue to enhance the Azure Boards integration with GitHub. Now you can get information of your linked GitHub commits, pull requests and issues on your Kanban board. This information will give you a quick sense of where an item is at and allow you to directly navigate out to the GitHub commit, pull request, or issue for more details.

Video Indexer has received new certifications to fit with enterprise certification requirements.

Video Indexer has received new certifications to fit with enterprise certification requirements.

Azure services are available from new cloud regions in Johannesburg (South Africa North) and Cape Town (South Africa West), South Africa. The launch of these regions is a milestone for Microsoft.

We updated the Features Timeline to provide visibility on our key investments for this quarter.

We have created documentation to describe how Azure Stack infrastructure satisfies regulatory technical controls for PCI-DSS and CSA-CCM.

FedRAMP High documentation is now available for Azure Stack customers.

We now support Kubernetes cluster deployment on Azure Stack, a certified Kubernetes Cloud Provider. Install Kubernetes using Azure Resource Manager templates generated by ACS-Engine on Azure Stack.

The Logic Apps feature of Azure App Service is now ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27018, HIPAA, CSA STAR, PCI DSS, SOC, and EU Model Clauses compliant.

We're pleased to announce Apache Kafka with Azure Managed Disks Preview on the HDInsight platform. Users will now be able to deploy Kafka clusters with managed disks straight from the Azure portal, with no signup necessary.

Customers will now be able to to perform comprehensive, secure, and reliable Windows Server recoveries. We Will be extending the data backup capabilities of the Azure Backup agent so that it will now integrate with the Windows Server Backup feature, available natively on every Windows Server.

Azure Data Catalog is ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27018, HIPAA, CSA STAR, and EU Model Clauses compliant.

The Azure Cosmos DB team is excited to announce that Azure Cosmos DB is ISO 27001, HIPAA, and EU Model Clauses compliant.

We’re adding more certification coverage to our Azure portfolio, so regulated customers can take advantage of new services.

With Azure Site Recovery, you can protect and recover your production workloads while saving on capital and operational expenditures.

Azure ISO Certification expanded to include SQL Database, Active Directory, Traffic Manager, Web Sites, BizTalk Services, Media Services, Mobile Services, Service Bus, Multi-Factor Authentication, and HDInsight.