Global Accreditation Bodies for DevOps Certifications

Securing a DevOps certification from an accredited body in the current job market is crucial for career advancement and organizational success. Accredited certifications are highly sought after, as they signify a professional's adherence to industry standards and capability to implement best practices. With businesses increasingly prioritizing efficient, reliable, and scalable IT operations, the demand for skilled DevOps professionals with recognized credentials is on the rise. These certifications enhance your employability and validate your expertise in managing complex DevOps processes.

This article will explore the key accrediting bodies in the DevOps field, detailing their roles and the certifications they offer. By understanding the landscape of DevOps accreditation, you can better appreciate how these credentials support your career growth and meet the evolving needs of employers. As the industry continues valuing standardized expertise, accredited certifications are valuable in demonstrating your qualifications and commitment to excellence in DevOps practices.

Top 3 Accredited Bodies of DevOps

In the DevOps sector, obtaining a certification from a reputable accredited body can significantly enhance your career prospects. These organizations offer standardized frameworks for assessing your knowledge and skills, demonstrating your commitment to professional development. By choosing a well-respected accredited body, you're validating your expertise and signaling to potential employers that you possess the necessary qualifications to contribute effectively to DevOps initiatives.

Here are the top 3 accredited bodies in the DevOps field:

1. DevOps Institute
2. PeopleCert
3. EXIN

Let’s explain each governing body in detail:

1. DevOps Institute

The DevOps Institute stands out as a premier organization dedicated to advancing DevOps practices through rigorous certification programs. With a community of over 45,000 members, the institute is a hub for DevOps professionals across 160 countries. Its main goal is to foster the growth of DevOps practices and provide valuable resources for continuous improvement.

The DevOps Institute has awarded 30,000 certifications globally and collaborates with 150 authorized partners to deliver high-quality training and certification. It also hosts 50 events and webinars annually to keep the community engaged and informed about the latest DevOps trends and practices.

Key certifications from the DevOps Institute include:

1. DevOps Foundation: DevOps Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification that provides a broad understanding of DevOps principles, practices, and terminology. It is ideal for individuals new to DevOps or those seeking foundational knowledge to support their roles.
2. Observability Foundation: The Observability Foundation Course covers the principles and practices of observability in software systems. It equips professionals with the knowledge to implement effective monitoring, logging, and tracing to ensure system reliability and performance.
3. DevOps Engineering Foundation: Focuses on the technical aspects of DevOps, including automation, continuous integration, and continuous delivery. This certification is designed for professionals seeking to implement and manage DevOps practices.
4. Site Reliability Engineering Foundation: Introduces the concepts and practices of Site Reliability Engineering (SRE). This certification is aimed at those looking to enhance system reliability and performance through engineering and operational practices.
5. Site Reliability Engineering Practitioner: Builds on the foundation level by delving deeper into SRE practices. It is intended for professionals actively implementing SRE methodologies to improve system reliability and scalability.
6. DevSecOps Foundation: Integrates security practices into the DevOps workflow. This certification focuses on embedding security into the development and operations processes to ensure robust and secure software delivery.
7. DevSecOps Practitioner: Advances the principles learned in the DevSecOps Foundation by providing practical skills for implementing and managing security within DevOps environments. It is suited for professionals aiming to lead DevSecOps initiatives.
8. DevOps Leader: Targets leadership roles within DevOps teams. This certification emphasizes DevOps's cultural and organizational aspects, including change management, team dynamics, and fostering a DevOps culture.
9. Certified Agile Service Manager: Combines Agile methodologies with service management practices. This certification is designed for professionals who manage and deliver services in Agile environments, ensuring responsiveness and quality.
10. Continuous Testing Foundation: Focuses on the principles and practices of continuous testing within the DevOps lifecycle. It equips professionals with the skills to implement effective testing strategies that support continuous integration and delivery.
11. Value Stream Management Foundation: Introduces the concepts of value stream management, which involves optimizing the flow of value through the software delivery process. This certification is ideal for those looking to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in delivering software products.

2. PeopleCert

PeopleCert is a leading international examination and certification body that provides globally recognized certifications across various industries. Their vision is to empower individuals and organizations to achieve their full potential through professional development and certification.

PeopleCert offers certifications in a wide range of fields, including ITIL, PRINCE2, and DevOps. Their certifications are designed to validate the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of individuals in their respective areas of expertise. PeopleCert's certifications are widely recognized and accepted by employers worldwide, making them valuable assets for career advancement.

Key certifications from the PeopleCert include:

1. DevOps Certifications

PeopleCert, in collaboration with the DevOps Institute, provides certifications that validate expertise in DevOps practices. These include foundational and advanced levels, such as DevOps Foundation and DevOps Practitioner. These certifications aim to equip professionals with the skills to effectively implement and manage DevOps practices. Some of the certifications are:

1. AIOps Foundation: Focuses on integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into IT operations. It covers the basics of AIOps, including its role in enhancing decision-making and automating complex processes.
2. ITIL Certifications

PeopleCert is the exclusive ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) certification examination provider. ITIL is a globally recognized framework for IT service management (ITSM) that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of businesses. PeopleCert offers various ITIL certifications, including ITIL Foundation, which is the entry-level certification, and intermediate and advanced levels that cater to different stages of career development in IT service management. Some of the courses offered are:

1. ITIL 4 Foundation: ITIL 4 Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification that introduces the ITIL framework, focusing on key concepts, principles, and the ITIL service value system. It’s suitable for those new to ITIL or ITSM.
2. ITIL 4 Practice: Focuses on specific ITIL practices, such as incident management, problem management, and service request management. This certification is for professionals looking to specialize in particular ITSM processes.
3. ITIL 4 Management: Designed for professionals in management roles, this certification covers managing IT services and teams, focusing on the ITIL guiding principles and service management best practices.
4. ITIL 4 Strategy: Emphasizes the strategic aspects of IT service management, including aligning IT services with business strategies, innovation, and digital transformation. It’s ideal for senior professionals involved in IT strategy.
5. ITIL 4 Extension: Offers additional modules that extend the core ITIL practices, allowing professionals to explore areas like IT governance, risk management, and compliance in more detail.
6. ITIL 4 How to Implement: Provides practical guidance on implementing ITIL practices in real-world environments, helping organizations adopt ITIL effectively.
7. ITIL 4 Sales Professional: This certification is tailored for sales professionals in IT service management. It focuses on understanding ITIL from a sales perspective, including how to position ITIL services and solutions to clients.
8. ITIL Cyber Resilience: Focuses on the intersection of IT service management and cybersecurity, teaching how to manage and protect IT services from cyber threats and ensure resilience.
3. PRINCE2 Certifications

PeopleCert also provides certifications for PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments), a widely used project management methodology. PRINCE2 certifications cover different levels, from Foundation to Practitioner, and are designed to help professionals manage projects efficiently and effectively. The methodology emphasizes the importance of structure, organization, and control in project management. Some of the certifications are:

1. PRINCE2 Project Management: Covers the fundamental principles, themes, and processes of PRINCE2, providing a solid foundation for managing projects. It’s ideal for beginners and those new to project management.
2. PRINCE2 Agile Project Management: Combines the flexibility of Agile methodologies with the structured approach of PRINCE2. This certification is for professionals looking to manage projects in dynamic environments.
3. PRINCE2 Programme Management: Focuses on managing multiple related projects within a program, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and effective coordination of resources.
4. PRINCE2 Portfolio Management: Teaches how to manage a portfolio of projects and programs, prioritizing and balancing resources to achieve strategic goals.
5. PRINCE2 Risk Management: Emphasizes the importance of risk management in project management, covering techniques for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in PRINCE2 projects.
6. PRINCE2 Scrum: Integrates Scrum practices into the PRINCE2 framework, offering a hybrid approach that combines the benefits of both methodologies.
7. PRINCE2 Project, Programme, Portfolio Office Management: Focuses on managing the office that oversees projects, programs, and portfolios, ensuring that governance, standards, and support are in place for successful project delivery.
8. PRINCE2 Value Management: Teaches how to maximize value from projects by ensuring that all project activities align with strategic business objectives and deliver measurable benefits.

3. EXIN

EXIN is a globally recognized organization that specializes in IT and management professionals certification. With over 38 years of experience in the certification industry, EXIN has established itself as a trusted provider of high-quality certification programs. The organization is known for its rigorous standards and commitment to excellence, ensuring that its certifications meet the needs of both professionals and organizations worldwide.

EXIN has certified nearly 3 million individuals across various domains, reflecting its broad reach and impact in the professional certification landscape. Additionally, EXIN is ISO 27001 certified, demonstrating its adherence to stringent information security management standards.

EXIN collaborates with over 450 partners globally, providing a wide range of certifications that cover various aspects of IT management, service management, and project management. Here’s an overview of the key certifications offered by EXIN:

1. IT Service Management

ITSM certifications focus on the effective delivery and management of IT services. They cover topics such as incident management, problem management, change management, and service-level management.

1. ITIL Foundation: This entry-level certification introduces the ITIL framework, focusing on the basic concepts, principles, and terminology of IT service management (ITSM). It is designed for individuals new to ITIL or ITSM, providing a solid foundation for further study.
2. ITIL Intermediate: This level is divided into Service Lifecycle and Service Capability, allowing professionals to specialize in areas such as service design, operation, and transition. It builds on the foundational knowledge to provide deeper insights into ITIL practices.
3. ITIL Expert: Aimed at experienced IT service management professionals, this certification demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of ITIL and its application. It requires passing multiple Intermediate-level exams and is a step towards mastering ITIL principles and practices.
4. IT Service Management Professional: This advanced certification is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in IT service management beyond the ITIL Expert level. It focuses on advanced concepts and the strategic application of ITSM principles.

2. DevOps

DevOps certifications are designed to validate your knowledge of DevOps principles, practices, and tools. They emphasize collaboration between development and operations teams to accelerate software delivery and improve quality.

1. DevOps Foundation: This introductory certification covers the core principles, practices, and benefits of DevOps. It is suitable for individuals new to DevOps who want to understand its basic concepts and how it can enhance IT operations.
2. DevOps Master: DevOps Master Certification is aimed at experienced DevOps professionals, this certification focuses on advanced topics such as DevOps transformation, culture, and leadership. It is designed for those who want to lead and drive DevOps initiatives within their organizations.
3. DevOps Professional: DevOps Professional certification provides in-depth knowledge of DevOps practices, tools, and techniques. It is intended for professionals who already have foundational knowledge and want to advance their skills in implementing and managing DevOps processes.

3. Agile and Lean

Agile and Lean certifications focus on methodologies that promote flexibility, adaptability, and continuous improvement. They cover topics such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean principles, and value stream mapping.

1. Agile Scrum Foundation: Agile Scrum Foundation certification covers the fundamental principles and practices of Agile and Scrum methodologies. It is ideal for those new to Agile and Scrum who want to understand their core concepts and applications.
2. Agile Scrum Master: Agile Scrum Master Course focuses on the role of the Scrum Master within Agile projects, covering responsibilities, practices, and techniques for facilitating Scrum processes and guiding teams.
3. Agile Scrum Practitioner: Builds on the foundation and master levels to provide advanced knowledge and practical skills for implementing Agile and Scrum practices in real-world scenarios.
4. Lean IT Foundation: Lean IT Foundation certification introduces the principles and practices of Lean IT, focusing on how to apply Lean principles to improve IT processes and operations. It is designed for individuals seeking to understand Lean concepts and their application in IT.
5. Lean IT Professional: This advanced certification builds on the Lean IT Foundation, offering deeper insights into Lean practices and how to apply them strategically within IT environments.

4. Information Security

Information Security certifications are designed to validate your understanding of information security concepts, threats, and mitigation strategies. They cover topics such as risk management, access control, incident response, and compliance.

1. Information Security Foundation: Provides a fundamental understanding of information security principles, including risk management, security controls, and best practices. It is aimed at individuals new to information security.
2. Information Security Management Professional: Focuses on advanced topics in information security management, including the development and implementation of security policies, strategies, and risk management techniques.
3. Privacy and Data Protection Foundation: Covers the principles and practices related to privacy and data protection, focusing on how to manage and protect personal data in compliance with regulations and standards.

5. Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing certifications focus on the knowledge and skills required to design, implement, and manage cloud-based solutions. They cover topics such as cloud infrastructure, cloud platforms, and cloud security.

1. Cloud Computing Foundation: Introduces the basic concepts of cloud computing, including cloud service models, deployment models, and key benefits. It is designed for those new to cloud computing who want to understand its fundamental aspects.

6. Business Analysis

Business Analysis certifications validate your ability to analyze business needs and requirements. They cover topics such as eliciting requirements, documenting requirements, and validating requirements.

1. Business Analysis Foundation: Provides foundational knowledge in business analysis, including techniques for gathering requirements, analyzing business needs, and developing solutions. It is aimed at individuals looking to start or advance their career in business analysis.

Conclusion

Choosing the right DevOps-accredited body is crucial for validating your expertise and advancing your career. The certifications offered by these organizations provide a standardized framework for assessing your knowledge and skills, demonstrating your commitment to professional development.

By obtaining a DevOps Certification Course from a reputable accredited body, you can enhance your job prospects, increase your earning potential, and contribute effectively to DevOps initiatives. Remember to research the specific certifications offered by different accredited bodies to find the one that best aligns with your career goals.

FAQs on DevOps Accredited Bodies

1. Why are DevOps Certifications Important?

DevOps certifications validate expertise in integrating development and operations processes, enhancing collaboration, and improving efficiency. They are essential for career advancement and demonstrating proficiency in DevOps methodologies.

2. Which are the Top Accredited Bodies for DevOps Certifications?

Key accredited bodies for DevOps certifications include DevOps Institute, PeopleCert, and EXIN. Each offers a range of certifications tailored to different levels of expertise and aspects of DevOps.

3. How can I Choose the Right DevOps Certification for Me?

Choose a certification based on your current expertise level, career goals, and the specific skills you want to develop. Consider starting with foundational certifications and progressing to advanced levels as you gain experience.

4. How do Accredited Bodies Ensure the Quality of their Certifications?

Accredited bodies maintain high standards through rigorous exam processes, continuous updates to certification content, and alignment with industry best practices. They also collaborate with industry experts to ensure relevance and effectiveness.