Members Only • Exclusive Access

Rise with the complete cloud roadmap.
Courses, certs, and projects to $180K+

Members-only syllabus from foundations to architect: curated courses, certs, and projects aligned to the Rise framework with affiliate access links.

START

Foundation

GROW

Skills Building

MASTERY

Expert Level

LEADERSHIP

Lead & Architect

50+ curated courses

12 key certifications

$70K - $180K+ salary range

RISE START: Foundation (3-6 months)

Build your cloud fundamentals and get your first certification

Core Skills to Master

Cloud fundamentals (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

AWS core services (EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, RDS)

Basic networking for cloud

Linux command line proficiency

Scripting basics (Bash, Python)

Docker fundamentals

Cloud security basics

Cost management fundamentals

Recommended Courses

⭐ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

Fundamental Cloud Concepts for AWS

By David Tucker

Exam objectives: Certification

Beginner 1h 32m Updated: May 01, 2024

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Introduction to AWS Core Concepts
Essential AWS Services and Components
Basic AWS Architecture Patterns
AWS Security Fundamentals
Getting Started with AWS Tools and Console

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Core concepts Basic configuration Resource management Console navigation

Prerequisites

Basic computer literacy
Willingness to learn new concepts
No prior experience required

Career Impact

This AWS foundation opens doors to cloud engineer roles earning $60-85K. Companies actively hire entry-level cloud professionals who demonstrate certification and hands-on practice. Complete this course, build a portfolio project, and you're ready to apply.

Your Learning Path

**ITRISE Framework - START Phase (Foundation Building)**: This AWS course is your entry point into cloud engineer. Over the next 3-6 months, focus on mastering fundamentals, completing all hands-on labs, and building at least one portfolio project. This certification validates you're ready for entry-level roles. Your goal: land your first position and start gaining real-world experience.

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): Exam Preparation

By David Blocher

Exam objectives: CLF-C02 — Exam Preparation

Beginner 32m 49s Updated: Sep 24, 2024

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Cloud Computing Fundamentals and AWS Global Infrastructure
Core AWS Services: Compute (EC2), Storage (S3), and Databases (RDS)
AWS Networking Essentials: VPC, Security Groups, and Route 53
Security, Identity, and Compliance with IAM and AWS Organizations
AWS Pricing Models, Billing, and Cost Management Tools
Cloud Architecture Best Practices and Well-Architected Framework

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

Basic computer literacy
Willingness to learn new concepts
No prior experience required

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): Storage, Networking, and Databases

By Michael Cassidy

Exam objectives: CLF-C02 — Storage, Networking, and Databases

Beginner 2h 53m 56s Updated: Sep 24, 2024

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Design and implement virtual networks
Configure routing and connectivity
Implement network security controls

Course Modules

Cloud Computing Fundamentals and AWS Global Infrastructure
Core AWS Services: Compute (EC2), Storage (S3), and Databases (RDS)
AWS Networking Essentials: VPC, Security Groups, and Route 53
Security, Identity, and Compliance with IAM and AWS Organizations
AWS Pricing Models, Billing, and Cost Management Tools
Cloud Architecture Best Practices and Well-Architected Framework

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Virtual networks Subnetting Load balancing VPN configuration DNS management

Prerequisites

Basic computer literacy
Willingness to learn new concepts
No prior experience required

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): Foundational Cloud Concepts

By Matthew Ulasien

Exam objectives: AZ-900 — Foundational Cloud Concepts

Intermediate 1h 47m 15s Updated: Jul 27, 2024

What You'll Learn

Work fluently with the Azure portal and CLI
Understand Azure resource organization and management
Implement Azure solutions following best practices
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Cloud Concepts: Benefits, Types, and Service Models
Core Azure Services and Solutions
Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust in Azure
Azure Pricing, SLAs, and Lifecycle Management
Azure Management Tools and Monitoring Solutions

Key Skills You'll Gain

Azure fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Core concepts Basic configuration Resource management Console navigation

Prerequisites

Basic computer literacy
Willingness to learn new concepts
No prior experience required

Career Impact

This Azure foundation opens doors to cloud engineer roles earning $60-85K. Companies actively hire entry-level cloud professionals who demonstrate certification and hands-on practice. Complete this course, build a portfolio project, and you're ready to apply.

Your Learning Path

**ITRISE Framework - START Phase (Foundation Building)**: This Azure course is your entry point into cloud engineer. Over the next 3-6 months, focus on mastering fundamentals, completing all hands-on labs, and building at least one portfolio project. This certification validates you're ready for entry-level roles. Your goal: land your first position and start gaining real-world experience.

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): Exam Preparation

By Mike Boorman; Matthew Ulasien

Exam objectives: AZ-900 — Exam Preparation

Intermediate 36m 13s Updated: Oct 24, 2024

What You'll Learn

Work fluently with the Azure portal and CLI
Understand Azure resource organization and management
Implement Azure solutions following best practices
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Cloud Concepts: Benefits, Types, and Service Models
Core Azure Services and Solutions
Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust in Azure
Azure Pricing, SLAs, and Lifecycle Management
Azure Management Tools and Monitoring Solutions

Key Skills You'll Gain

Azure fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Core concepts Basic configuration Resource management Console navigation

Prerequisites

Basic computer literacy
Willingness to learn new concepts
No prior experience required

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Certifications to Pursue

🎯 PRIMARY GOAL

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

$100 exam fee • 90 minutes • 65 questions

Your first AWS certification. Validates cloud fundamentals and AWS basics. Essential for launching your cloud career.

Study Resources:

Official AWS Training (Free)
AWS Whitepapers: Overview of AWS, Well-Architected Framework
Practice exams: Tutorials Dojo ($12)

View Certification Details

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

$99 exam fee • Optional

Azure basics. Useful if your target companies use multi-cloud strategies.

View Certification

Hands-On Projects

Deploy a Web Application on AWS EC2

Launch an EC2 instance, configure security groups, install a web server (nginx), and deploy a simple static website. Add a load balancer for high availability.

EC2 Security Groups ELB Linux

Static Website with S3 + CloudFront

Host a static website on S3, configure CloudFront CDN for global distribution, set up custom domain with Route 53, and enable HTTPS with ACM.

S3 CloudFront Route 53 ACM

Build a VPC with Public and Private Subnets

Create a custom VPC, configure public and private subnets, set up an internet gateway and NAT gateway, and configure route tables for proper networking.

VPC Subnets IGW NAT

RDS Database with Automated Backups

Launch an RDS MySQL instance, configure automated backups, set up read replicas, and implement IAM database authentication.

RDS MySQL Backups IAM

Recommended Learning Path (3-6 months)

Month 1

Cloud & AWS Fundamentals

Complete AWS Cloud Practitioner course
Study AWS core services: EC2, S3, VPC, IAM
Practice with AWS Free Tier
Join AWS community forums

Month 2

Linux & Networking

Master Linux command line
Learn basic networking concepts
Practice shell scripting
Deploy your first EC2 application

Month 3

Docker & Containers

Learn Docker fundamentals
Build and push Docker images
Practice with ECS (Elastic Container Service)
Complete S3 + CloudFront project

Months 4-6

Certification & Projects

Deep dive into exam preparation
Complete all hands-on projects
Take practice exams (Tutorials Dojo)
Schedule and pass AWS Cloud Practitioner
Start applying for junior cloud roles

RISE GROW: Professional Development (1-3 years)

Master advanced cloud technologies and earn professional certifications

Skills to Develop

Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)

Container orchestration (Kubernetes, EKS)

CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions)

Advanced networking (VPC peering, Transit Gateway)

Serverless architectures (Lambda, API Gateway)

Monitoring (CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana)

Advanced cloud security

Cost optimization strategies

Recommended Courses

⭐ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Exam Preparation

By Alex Potasnick

Exam objectives: AZ-104 — Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Exam Preparation

Beginner 26m 45s Updated: Jul 30, 2024

What You'll Learn

Work fluently with the Azure portal and CLI
Understand Azure resource organization and management
Implement Azure solutions following best practices
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Azure Identity and Governance with Azure AD
Virtual Machines and Compute Resources Management
Virtual Networking and Connectivity Solutions
Storage Account Configuration and Management
Monitoring, Backup, and Disaster Recovery

Key Skills You'll Gain

Azure fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

Azure fundamentals
6-12 months hands-on experience
Understanding of cloud basics

Career Impact

Advanced Azure skills qualify you for mid-level cloud engineer roles earning $95-130K. You can now lead cloud migrations, design architectures, and mentor juniors. Companies compete for this expertise.

Your Learning Path

**ITRISE Framework - GROW Phase (Professional Development)**: With foundational Azure knowledge, you're now building professional-grade skills. This course prepares you for real production environments and complex challenges. Apply these concepts at work immediately, volunteer for challenging projects, and start mentoring juniors. Position yourself for promotion to mid-level roles within 12-18 months.

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources

By Chase Dovey

Exam objectives: AZ-104 — Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources

Intermediate 5h 32m 50s Updated: Jan 30, 2025

What You'll Learn

Work fluently with the Azure portal and CLI
Understand Azure resource organization and management
Implement Azure solutions following best practices
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Azure Identity and Governance with Azure AD
Virtual Machines and Compute Resources Management
Virtual Networking and Connectivity Solutions
Storage Account Configuration and Management
Monitoring, Backup, and Disaster Recovery

Key Skills You'll Gain

Azure fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices VM management Container orchestration Serverless functions Auto-scaling

Prerequisites

Azure fundamentals
6-12 months hands-on experience
Understanding of cloud basics

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Implement and Manage Virtual Networking

By Chase Dovey

Exam objectives: AZ-104 — Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Implement and Manage Virtual Networking

Intermediate 11h 11s Updated: Jul 12, 2024

What You'll Learn

Work fluently with the Azure portal and CLI
Understand Azure resource organization and management
Implement Azure solutions following best practices
Design and implement virtual networks
Configure routing and connectivity
Implement network security controls

Course Modules

Azure Identity and Governance with Azure AD
Virtual Machines and Compute Resources Management
Virtual Networking and Connectivity Solutions
Storage Account Configuration and Management
Monitoring, Backup, and Disaster Recovery

Key Skills You'll Gain

Azure fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Virtual networks Subnetting Load balancing VPN configuration DNS management

Prerequisites

Azure fundamentals
6-12 months hands-on experience
Understanding of cloud basics

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03): Core Services

By Andru Estes

Exam objectives: SAA-C03 — Core Services

Intermediate 17h 1m Updated: Oct 04, 2024

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Designing Resilient Architectures with High Availability
Implementing Scalable and Elastic Compute Solutions
Designing Secure Applications and Network Architectures
Cost-Optimized Architecture Design and Implementation
Storage Solutions: S3, EBS, EFS, and Storage Gateway
Database Solutions: RDS, DynamoDB, Aurora, and RedShift
Migration Strategies and Hybrid Cloud Architectures

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

AWS fundamentals
6-12 months hands-on experience
Understanding of cloud basics

Career Impact

Advanced AWS skills qualify you for mid-level cloud engineer roles earning $95-130K. You can now lead cloud migrations, design architectures, and mentor juniors. Companies compete for this expertise.

Your Learning Path

**ITRISE Framework - GROW Phase (Professional Development)**: With foundational AWS knowledge, you're now building professional-grade skills. This course prepares you for real production environments and complex challenges. Apply these concepts at work immediately, volunteer for challenging projects, and start mentoring juniors. Position yourself for promotion to mid-level roles within 12-18 months.

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Security - Specialty (SCS-C02): Identity and Access Management

By Michael Brown

Exam objectives: SCS-C02 — Identity and Access Management

Intermediate 1h 56m Updated: Dec 17, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Implement security best practices and controls
Configure identity and access management
Protect data with encryption and security groups

Course Modules

AWS Security Architecture and Design
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Data Protection and Encryption
Network Security and Firewalls
Compliance, Auditing, and Monitoring
Incident Response and Security Best Practices

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices IAM policies Encryption Network security Compliance Threat mitigation

Prerequisites

AWS fundamentals
6-12 months hands-on experience
Understanding of cloud basics

Career Impact

Advanced AWS skills qualify you for mid-level cloud engineer roles earning $95-130K. You can now lead cloud migrations, design architectures, and mentor juniors. Companies compete for this expertise.

Your Learning Path

Udemy

Via Pluralsight

Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate

Professional development course for cloud engineer

Updated:

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Apply AWS knowledge to real-world scenarios
Follow industry best practices and standards
Troubleshoot common issues independently

Course Modules

Core AWS Concepts and Architecture
Implementation and Configuration
Best Practices and Design Patterns
Troubleshooting and Optimization
Advanced Features and Use Cases

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

AWS fundamentals
6-12 months hands-on experience
Understanding of cloud basics

Career Impact

Advanced AWS skills qualify you for mid-level cloud engineer roles earning $95-130K. You can now lead cloud migrations, design architectures, and mentor juniors. Companies compete for this expertise.

Your Learning Path

Professional Certifications

🎯 PRIMARY GOAL

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

$150 exam fee • 130 minutes • 65 questions

The most valuable AWS certification. Validates your ability to design distributed systems on AWS. Opens doors to cloud engineer roles everywhere.

Study Resources:

Stephane Maarek's Udemy course (see above)
Tutorials Dojo Practice Exams ($12 - ESSENTIAL)
AWS Well-Architected Framework whitepaper
Hands-on labs with AWS Free Tier

🚀 HIGHLY VALUED

Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

$395 exam fee • 2 hours • Performance-based

Kubernetes is essential for modern cloud infrastructure. This hands-on certification proves you can manage production K8s clusters.

HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate

$70.50 exam fee • 1 hour • Multiple choice

Validates Infrastructure as Code expertise. Terraform is the industry standard for multi-cloud IaC.

Advanced Projects

Infrastructure as Code with Terraform

Build complete AWS infrastructure using Terraform: VPC, EC2 instances, RDS, S3, CloudFront, and IAM roles. Use modules, variables, and remote state.

Terraform IaC Multi-service GitOps

Kubernetes Cluster on EKS

Deploy a microservices application on Amazon EKS. Configure auto-scaling, load balancing, monitoring with Prometheus, and implement CI/CD with GitHub Actions.

Kubernetes EKS Microservices CI/CD

Serverless API with Lambda + API Gateway

Build a complete serverless REST API using AWS Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, and Cognito for authentication. Deploy using SAM or Serverless Framework.

Lambda API Gateway DynamoDB Serverless

Complete CI/CD Pipeline

Build automated CI/CD pipeline with Jenkins or GitHub Actions. Include automated testing, Docker image building, deployment to EKS, and rollback capability.

CI/CD Jenkins Docker Automation

RISE MASTERY: Senior Specialist (3-5 years)

Architect complex cloud solutions and mentor junior engineers

Advanced Skills

Cloud architecture design (Well-Architected Framework)

Multi-cloud and hybrid architectures

Advanced Kubernetes (service mesh, operators)

Advanced IaC (modular Terraform, GitOps)

Cloud security architecture (zero-trust)

Performance optimization

Disaster recovery design

Mentoring and technical leadership

Advanced Courses

⭐ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03): Storage, Databases, Machine Learning, and Big Data Analytics

By Andru Estes

Exam objectives: SAA-C03 — Storage, Databases, Machine Learning, and Big Data Analytics

Intermediate 8h 17m Updated: Nov 08, 2024

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Designing Resilient Architectures with High Availability
Implementing Scalable and Elastic Compute Solutions
Designing Secure Applications and Network Architectures
Cost-Optimized Architecture Design and Implementation
Storage Solutions: S3, EBS, EFS, and Storage Gateway
Database Solutions: RDS, DynamoDB, Aurora, and RedShift
Migration Strategies and Hybrid Cloud Architectures

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Object storage Block storage File systems Data migration Backup strategies

Prerequisites

AWS professional experience
Strong technical foundation
Prior certification recommended

Career Impact

Expert AWS certification qualifies you for senior/lead cloud architect roles earning $140-200K+. You can design enterprise solutions, lead transformations, and shape cloud strategy.

Your Learning Path

**ITRISE Framework - MASTERY Phase (Senior Specialist)**: At this stage, you're learning to design systems, not just implement them. This AWS certification demonstrates expert-level proficiency. Use this knowledge to lead technical initiatives, establish best practices, and solve the organization's hardest problems. You're becoming the go-to expert—act like it. Take ownership of architectural decisions and mentor your team.

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (SAP-C02): Certification Essentials

By David Blocher

Exam objectives: SAP-C02 — Certification Essentials

Intermediate 12m Updated: Mar 28, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Core AWS Concepts and Architecture
Implementation and Configuration
Best Practices and Design Patterns
Troubleshooting and Optimization
Advanced Features and Use Cases

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

AWS professional experience
Strong technical foundation
Prior certification recommended

Career Impact

Expert AWS certification qualifies you for senior/lead cloud architect roles earning $140-200K+. You can design enterprise solutions, lead transformations, and shape cloud strategy.

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (SAP-C02): Data Stores

By David Blocher

Exam objectives: SAP-C02 — Data Stores

Intermediate 6h 1m 33s Updated: Jan 30, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Core AWS Concepts and Architecture
Implementation and Configuration
Best Practices and Design Patterns
Troubleshooting and Optimization
Advanced Features and Use Cases

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

AWS professional experience
Strong technical foundation
Prior certification recommended

Career Impact

Expert AWS certification qualifies you for senior/lead cloud architect roles earning $140-200K+. You can design enterprise solutions, lead transformations, and shape cloud strategy.

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (SAP-C02): Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity

By Craig Arcuri

Exam objectives: SAP-C02 — Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity

Intermediate 4h 15m Updated: Aug 21, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Core AWS Concepts and Architecture
Implementation and Configuration
Best Practices and Design Patterns
Troubleshooting and Optimization
Advanced Features and Use Cases

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

AWS professional experience
Strong technical foundation
Prior certification recommended

Career Impact

Expert AWS certification qualifies you for senior/lead cloud architect roles earning $140-200K+. You can design enterprise solutions, lead transformations, and shape cloud strategy.

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

Terraform Deep Dive

By Ned Bellavance

Exam objectives: Terraform Associate

Intermediate 3h 50m Updated: Dec 03, 2025

What You'll Learn

Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types
Increase your chances of passing on first attempt
Apply Terraform knowledge to real-world scenarios
Follow industry best practices and standards

Course Modules

Core Terraform Concepts and Architecture
Implementation and Configuration
Best Practices and Design Patterns
Troubleshooting and Optimization
Advanced Features and Use Cases

Key Skills You'll Gain

Terraform fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

Terraform professional experience
Strong technical foundation
Prior certification recommended

Career Impact

Expert Terraform certification qualifies you for senior/lead cloud architect roles earning $140-200K+. You can design enterprise solutions, lead transformations, and shape cloud strategy.

Your Learning Path

**ITRISE Framework - MASTERY Phase (Senior Specialist)**: At this stage, you're learning to design systems, not just implement them. This Terraform certification demonstrates expert-level proficiency. Use this knowledge to lead technical initiatives, establish best practices, and solve the organization's hardest problems. You're becoming the go-to expert—act like it. Take ownership of architectural decisions and mentor your team.

Expert Certifications

🏆 EXPERT LEVEL

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

$300 exam fee • 180 minutes • 75 questions

The gold standard for AWS expertise. Validates advanced architectural design across complex, multi-tier applications. Required for principal architect roles.

Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)

$395 exam fee • 2 hours • Performance-based

Advanced Kubernetes security. Proves you can secure production K8s clusters against threats.

Azure Solutions Architect Expert

$165 exam fee • Optional for multi-cloud

Multi-cloud expertise. Many enterprises use both AWS and Azure.

Senior-Level Projects

Multi-Region Cloud Architecture

Design and implement a highly available, multi-region application architecture with automated failover, data replication, and disaster recovery.

Multi-region HA/DR Route 53 Replication

Platform Engineering with Self-Service Infrastructure

Build an internal developer platform with self-service infrastructure provisioning, automated compliance checks, and cost governance.

Platform Engineering Self-service Governance FinOps

Cloud Cost Optimization Initiative

Audit cloud spending, implement tagging strategy, right-size resources, leverage reserved instances, and build cost monitoring dashboard. Document savings achieved.

Cost Optimization FinOps Reserved Instances Tagging

Zero-Trust Security Architecture

Implement zero-trust security model with identity-based access, network segmentation, encryption at rest and in transit, and security monitoring.

Zero-Trust Security IAM Encryption

RISE LEADERSHIP: Architecture & Management (5+ years)

Lead cloud strategy and build high-performing teams

Leadership Skills

Enterprise cloud strategy

Team leadership and mentoring

Cloud financial management (FinOps)

Vendor management

Executive communication

Multi-cloud strategy

Risk management and compliance

Innovation and technology evaluation

Leadership Resources

⭐ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (SAP-C02): Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions

By Craig Arcuri

Exam objectives: SAP-C02 — Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions

Intermediate 4h 45m Updated: Sep 23, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Core AWS Concepts and Architecture
Implementation and Configuration
Best Practices and Design Patterns
Troubleshooting and Optimization
Advanced Features and Use Cases

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

3+ years AWS experience
Leadership or architecture experience
Strategic thinking skills

Career Impact

AWS leadership expertise positions you for director/principal architect roles earning $170-280K+. You'll shape cloud strategy, build teams, and drive transformation.

Your Learning Path

**ITRISE Framework - LEADERSHIP Phase (Strategy & Management)**: You're transitioning from technical execution to strategic influence. This AWS expertise helps you shape organizational direction, build high-performing teams, and drive transformation at scale. Focus on multiplying your impact through people and processes. Your goal: move from "doing the work" to "enabling others to do the work excellently." This is executive-track preparation.

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (SAP-C02): Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization

By Craig Arcuri

Exam objectives: SAP-C02 — Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization

Intermediate 3h 4m Updated: Nov 21, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Prepare effectively for the certification exam
Practice with hands-on labs and scenarios
Understand exam format and question types

Course Modules

Core AWS Concepts and Architecture
Implementation and Configuration
Best Practices and Design Patterns
Troubleshooting and Optimization
Advanced Features and Use Cases

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices Technical proficiency Problem-solving System design Performance optimization

Prerequisites

3+ years AWS experience
Leadership or architecture experience
Strategic thinking skills

Career Impact

AWS leadership expertise positions you for director/principal architect roles earning $170-280K+. You'll shape cloud strategy, build teams, and drive transformation.

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Security - Specialty (SCS-C02): Management and Security Governance

By Chris Espinoza

Exam objectives: SCS-C02 — Management and Security Governance

Intermediate 2h 24m Updated: Dec 15, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Implement security best practices and controls
Configure identity and access management
Protect data with encryption and security groups

Course Modules

AWS Security Architecture and Design
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Data Protection and Encryption
Network Security and Firewalls
Compliance, Auditing, and Monitoring
Incident Response and Security Best Practices

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices IAM policies Encryption Network security Compliance Threat mitigation

Prerequisites

3+ years AWS experience
Leadership or architecture experience
Strategic thinking skills

Career Impact

AWS leadership expertise positions you for director/principal architect roles earning $170-280K+. You'll shape cloud strategy, build teams, and drive transformation.

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Security - Specialty (SCS-C02): Data Protection

By Mike Hammond

Exam objectives: SCS-C02 — Data Protection

Intermediate 2h 42m Updated: Nov 18, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Implement security best practices and controls
Configure identity and access management
Protect data with encryption and security groups

Course Modules

AWS Security Architecture and Design
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Data Protection and Encryption
Network Security and Firewalls
Compliance, Auditing, and Monitoring
Incident Response and Security Best Practices

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices IAM policies Encryption Network security Compliance Threat mitigation

Prerequisites

3+ years AWS experience
Leadership or architecture experience
Strategic thinking skills

Career Impact

AWS leadership expertise positions you for director/principal architect roles earning $170-280K+. You'll shape cloud strategy, build teams, and drive transformation.

Your Learning Path

Pluralsight

Via Pluralsight

AWS Certified Security - Specialty (SCS-C02): Infrastructure Security

By Michael Brown

Exam objectives: SCS-C02 — Infrastructure Security

Intermediate 3h 9m Updated: Oct 17, 2025

What You'll Learn

Navigate the AWS Management Console with confidence
Understand AWS global infrastructure and regions
Deploy and manage AWS resources effectively
Implement security best practices and controls
Configure identity and access management
Protect data with encryption and security groups

Course Modules

AWS Security Architecture and Design
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Data Protection and Encryption
Network Security and Firewalls
Compliance, Auditing, and Monitoring
Incident Response and Security Best Practices

Key Skills You'll Gain

AWS fundamentals Cloud architecture Best practices IAM policies Encryption Network security Compliance Threat mitigation

Prerequisites

3+ years AWS experience
Leadership or architecture experience
Strategic thinking skills

Career Impact

AWS leadership expertise positions you for director/principal architect roles earning $170-280K+. You'll shape cloud strategy, build teams, and drive transformation.

Your Learning Path

Leadership Initiatives

Enterprise Cloud Transformation Strategy

Lead company-wide cloud adoption. Define cloud strategy, migration roadmap, governance framework, and cost management policies.

Build and Scale Cloud Engineering Team

Hire, mentor, and grow cloud engineers from 5 to 30+. Establish career paths, training programs, and technical standards.

Multi-Million Dollar Cloud Contract Negotiation

Negotiate enterprise cloud contracts with AWS/Azure. Secure discounts, reserved capacity, and favorable terms.

Present Cloud Strategy to Board of Directors

Communicate technical strategy to non-technical executives. Justify cloud investments with business impact and ROI.

Additional Learning Resources

Essential Books

Communities & Forums

YouTube Channels

Blogs & News

Ready to Start Your Cloud Engineering Journey?

You have the roadmap. Now it's time to execute. Start with RISE START, earn your AWS Cloud Practitioner, and take the first step toward a $180K+ career in cloud engineering.

Back to All Roadmaps

Verifying Access...

Rise with the complete cloud roadmap. Courses, certs, and projects to $180K+

RISE START: Foundation (3-6 months)

Core Skills to Master

Recommended Courses

Fundamental Cloud Concepts for AWS

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): Exam Preparation

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): Storage, Networking, and Databases

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): Foundational Cloud Concepts

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): Exam Preparation

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Certifications to Pursue

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Hands-On Projects

Deploy a Web Application on AWS EC2

Static Website with S3 + CloudFront

Build a VPC with Public and Private Subnets

RDS Database with Automated Backups

Recommended Learning Path (3-6 months)

Cloud & AWS Fundamentals

Linux & Networking

Docker & Containers

Certification & Projects

RISE GROW: Professional Development (1-3 years)

Skills to Develop

Recommended Courses

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Exam Preparation

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): Implement and Manage Virtual Networking

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Key Skills You'll Gain

Prerequisites

Career Impact

Your Learning Path

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03): Core Services

What You'll Learn

Course Modules

Rise with the complete cloud roadmap.
Courses, certs, and projects to $180K+