Something new – Google Cloud Certified: Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE)

By Tomica Kaniski in Other 0 Comment

So, I’ve decided to end last year in style – as my Christmas gift to me, I’ve purchased Linux Academy (monthly full-access plan) and taken their course to prepare for the Google Cloud Certified: Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE).

And yesterday, I’ve taken and passed the certification exam (OK, still waiting on the official e-mail from Google; it takes 7-10 days, as it said on the exam). 🙂

UPDATE: It’s here!

This brought me another nice badge (as this is “a thing” now):

Why?

Well, I’ve been curious.

I know – “curiosity killed the cat”… except, this time, it didn’t! 🙂

Let’s get serious – I wanted to better understand how and why would someone use Google Cloud (GCP) instead of (or even in conjunction with), I don’t know, Microsoft Azure or AWS or even Exoscale.

The only fair way to do this would be to learn about the platforms, spend some time using them and decide about their strengths and weaknesses (for your specific scenarios)… while keeping in mind that things move and change pretty fast now (something you’ll be missing today in, for example, Microsoft Azure, will perhaps be there in a matter of months, so… nothing is really final)! And this is exactly what I did/do/will keep doing – trying to stay on top of things.

How?

I’ve already mentioned that I’ve taken the course, but here is a short list of what I’ve used, with links:

  • Linux Academy course (they say it adds about +30% on top of your GCP knowledge – sessions are nice, updated regularly, practice tests and hands-on labs certainly help a lot(!)… and you can take a monthly subscription)
  • hands-on experience in using GCP (open up a free account, add custom domain, set up identity provider, bring up some Kubernetes clusters, store some files, …, just play around a bit and try the things out by yourself!)
  • exam guide (it’s nice to read what they’ll test you on)
  • official documentation (yes, you’ll need to read something as well… sorry)
  • practice exam (it’s there, it’s free, try it out… more than once!)

What’s next?

Considering Google Cloud – I’ll probably take a peek at Professional Cloud Architect certification as well.

Considering other learning/certifications – as I’ve done all of the Microsoft Azure exams (that were available at the time), maybe I’ll continue with deepening my knowledge about AWS, who knows… it all depends on my next adventures.

Considering everything else – we’ll see where I’ll end up in 2020 (I’m pretty sure I won’t be doing what/where I was doing in 2019, but we’ll see ;))!

Happy 2020!

Microsoft AZ-500 down, more to go

By Tomica Kaniski in Other 0 Comment

Another month, another Azure cert! 🙂

So, for the last couple of weeks, I was reading about, learning and playing around with Azure security technologies, mainly as a preparation for AZ-500 (Microsoft Azure Security Technologies) exam.

And then… today I took the exam and… PASSED!

I must say, with a few certificates under my sleeve, this exam was not the easiest I took. I was feeling prepared and still – passing it demanded concentration on the details and a bit of thinking! Nonetheless, it’s over now – one down, more to go!

Note that… by passing this exam, I’m not automatically an Azure security guru (!) – it just means that I know a thing or two about what Azure offers in terms of security and how it works. 🙂

What did I use to prepare?

There is a great book about Azure governance called Pro Azure Governance and Security, written by my MVP colleagues Peter De Tender, David Rendon and Samuel Erskine. It’s purpose is not to be an exam prep guide, but to tackle into the world of governance and security features available within Microsoft Azure (which are part of the exam, who would know).

There is also a great post, containing a bunch of helpful AZ-500 material from Stanislas Quastana, located here, and Thomas provided some useful links in his post here and even did a webinar on Azure Security Center (hosted by Altaro) the other day – you can find the recording here.

Of course, there is also the official exam page with skills measured and docs.com.

And… don’t forget to try things out yourself! There is also a free Azure subscription, you know?! 🙂

If you’ll be taking this exam – good luck, hope this resources help you!

Cheers!

MCT!

By Tomica Kaniski in Other 3 Comments

MCT_logoToday I received yet another recognition of my skills – as of today, I’m also a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) (another acronym becomes part of my collection Smile). I’m so happy to be part of this elite community of experts.

”Microsoft Certified Trainer Program is elite, international community that spans more than 150 countries and regions and includes classroom and e-learning instructors, learning consultants, authors, conference presenters, and user group leaders. Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) are the premier technical and instructional experts on Microsoft technologies, and are the only individuals authorized to deliver training for Microsoft Certification.”

Big thanks to all that helped/mentored/supported me! (and anyone else who helped in any other way Smile)

Reminder – Free certification for students!

By Tomica Kaniski in Other 2 Comments

Just a quick reminder – for all students who want to get certified on Microsoft technology, there is still a chance to get one free voucher they can use for this purpose. Microsoft is offering this vouchers through DreamSpark program, and if you have access, you can easily generate one voucher for yourself (or even pass it on to a friend).

You can get your voucher (all all other necessary info) on this site.
If you already got the voucher, you can use it on Prometric – just pick a test site, exam & time, and get your certificate…

For those willing to try this out and become certified, good luck (hope to see you in the MCP club after this one)!

P.S. This offer is valid while supplies last, so hurry up!

dreamspark_free_vouchers