AWS Certified SysOps Administrator: Mastering cloud operations
Key facts
- Average AWS SysOps Administrator salary: $105,876
- Date the certification was created: 2013
- Last exam update (SAA-C03): July 2021
Begin your journey to getting certified with an AWS Cloud Administrator Boot Camp.
AWS SysOps Administrator certification overview
The AWS SysOps Administration certification is a powerful tool for those looking to start or further their careers in cloud-based operations. With this certification in your portfolio, you send a clear message to employers that you can implement, troubleshoot, update and optimize workloads in the AWS environment.
Domain 1: Monitoring, Logging and Remediation (20% of scored content)
This domain covers objectives such as:
- 1.1: Implement metrics, alarms and filters by using AWS monitoring and logging services.
- 1.2: Remediate issues based on monitoring and availability metrics.
Domain 2: Reliability and Business Continuity (16% of scored content)
This domain covers topics such as:
- 2.1: Implement scalability and elasticity.
- 2.2: Implement high availability and resilient environments.
- 2.3: Implement backup and restore strategies.
Domain 3: Deployment, Provisioning and Automation (18% of scored content)
This domain covers cloud solution tasks like:
- 3.1: Provision and maintain cloud resources.
- 3.2: Automate manual or repeatable processes.
Domain 4: Security and Compliance (16% of scored content)
In this domain, the exam content covers topics like:
- 4.1: Implement and manage security and compliance policies.
- 4.2: Implement data and infrastructure protection strategies.
Domain 5: Networking and Content Delivery (18% of scored content)
Domain 5 covers incident and event response knowledge on:
- 5.1: Implement networking features and connectivity.
- 5.2: Configure domains, DNS services and content delivery.
- 5.3: Troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
AWS SysOps Administrator (SOA-C02) exam details
The AWS SysOps certification follows a similar format to other AWS certs because it consists of 65 questions. You have an average of two minutes to respond to each prompt, with a total of 130 minutes to complete the exam.
| Launch date: | 2013 | Last update: | July 2021 |
| Number of questions: |
65 |
Type of questions: | Multiple choice and multiple answers |
| Length of test: | 130 minutes | Passing score: | 720 |
| Exam Level: | Associate | Languages: |
English, Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese |
| Validity duration: | 3 years | Renewal process: | Pass the most recent version of the exam, or the AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Professional exam, or the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer — Professional exam. |
Additional AWS SysOps Administrator exam resources
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) Exam Guide is a great place to start. This gives you an outline of what’s on the exam, so you can start identifying areas where you’ll need more prep than others. This can help set the direction for where you want to self-study, or where you should focus your attention during your AWS certification boot camp.
AWS SysOps Administrator study guides and practice exams
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Study Guide: Associate SOA-C02 Exam
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate, Master the Exam (SOA-C02)
Most paid preparation courses also offer practice questions, including Infosec AWS boot camps.
Other free AWS SysOps Administrator training resources
There are a number of other free training materials being produced and shared by the community:
- Watch our webinar on the certification, AWS Certified Cloud Operations Administrator.
- You can also check out AWS videos on YouTube or Reddit discussions for exam tips.
- Podcasts like Cyber Work may not directly prepare you for the exam, but they can provide additional career guidance and general exam tips.
AWS SysOps Administrator jobs and careers
As an AWS SysOps Administrator, you have plenty of employment opportunities, primarily because you can be such a valuable resource to organizations transitioning to cloud-based operations. At the same time, many companies already have AWS-based systems, and they need people with the skills necessary to optimize how their workloads are handled in the AWS ecosystem.
Common AWS SysOps Administrator job titles
- AWS Solution Engineer
- AWS Security Engineer
- AWS Cloud Administrator
- AWS Cloud DevOps Engineer
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- AWS Sysops Engineer
AWS SysOps Administrator boot camps
Live, expert AWS training
Live online or in-person AWS boot camps can help you get certified quickly. For example, Infosec partners with AWS to provide a three-day AWS Cloud Operations Administrator Boot Camp.
Advantages of enrolling in a boot camp include:
- Live instruction: Boot camps allow interaction with instructors and peers with useful cloud or AWS exam experience to share.
- Complete certification package: When searching for an AWS boot camp, find out if there will be any additional costs for training materials, exam vouchers or hands-on resources.
- Higher pass rates: AWS boot camps prepare you to pass the exam on your first attempt, and providers like Infosec back their training with an Exam Pass Guarantee.
Learn more about the live AWS Cloud Operations Administrator Boot Camp.
AWS DevOps Engineer certification comparisons and alternatives
If you're deciding between multiple AWS certification exams and need help choosing the right one for your current job title and dream career path, look at some different comparisons below.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator vs. AWS Certified Solutions Architect
The AWS SysOps Administrator certification is an Associate-level certification focused more on the administration and management of AWS environments. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification is available in two levels, Associate and Professional, and it focuses on building resilient, secure and highly available IT solutions on the AWS Cloud.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator vs. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
The AWS DevOps Engineer certification differs greatly from the SysOps certification because it focuses on developing solutions in the AWS Cloud environment. On the other hand, SysOps is more about making sure workloads get properly managed within AWS.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator vs. AWS Certified Security
AWS Certified Security has a cybersecurity focus, while SysOps focuses more on establishing systems that run efficiently without costing too much. The career paths of SysOps and Security certification holders are different, as well. Those with the Security certification would lean more towards using AWS’s existing security tools and interfacing with other providers within the AWS ecosystem. SysOps professionals also deal with security issues, but it may not be their main focus.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator vs. Microsoft Azure Administrator
The Microsoft Azure Administrator certification is designed for those who want to work in the Azure environment. This is a cloud service different from AWS, but many of the objectives of SysOps and Azure Admin certificate holders are similar: They both aim to optimize workloads within their respective cloud environments.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator vs. CompTIA Cloud+
Even though there may be some overlap between a SysOps and a CompTIA Cloud+ when it comes to high-level concepts, the CompTIA Cloud+ certification is a more general credential. It focuses on broader cloud deployment skills, while AWS SysOps addresses deployments in the AWS environment.
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