Junior Cloud Architect
Build the foundation you need to design and operate cloud infrastructure. From networking fundamentals to multi-cloud security, this path prepares you for your first cloud architecture role.
Who this path is for
This path is for people moving into cloud work from help desk, system administration, networking or development roles, and for students who want a structured first step. You do not need prior cloud experience. The goal is to get you ready for a junior cloud engineer or associate cloud architect role where you help design and run workloads on Azure or AWS.
What you'll be able to do
- Explain how a request travels from a browser to a cloud workload, including DNS lookup, HTTP/S and the network layers it crosses.
- Plan a simple VNet or VPC with sensible subnets, routing and a load balancer in front of your application tier.
- Map common services between Azure and AWS so you can read architecture diagrams from either cloud.
- Apply the shared responsibility model to decide which security tasks belong to you and which belong to the provider.
- Set up identity and access with least privilege in mind, and know when to encrypt data at rest and in transit.
What you'll cover
IT Fundamentals
Core concepts every cloud architect must know: OSI model, DNS, HTTP/S, and how data flows through systems.
Networking Basics
Subnetting, VPCs, routing, load balancing: the building blocks of every cloud network.
Cloud Platforms: Azure & AWS Basics
Understand the core services on the two dominant cloud platforms and know when to use each.
Security Basics for Cloud
IAM, least privilege, encryption at rest and in transit, and shared responsibility model.
Knowledge Check
Related certifications
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
A good first credential if your target employer runs on Microsoft. It checks that you understand core cloud concepts and Azure services.
Free AZ-900 course →AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
The AWS equivalent of a fundamentals exam. Pick it if the jobs you want mention AWS more often than Azure.
Free AWS Cloud Practitioner course →Google Cloud Digital Leader
Useful if your company is on Google Cloud or you want a business level view of how cloud decisions get made.
Free Cloud Digital Leader course →Frequently asked questions
How long does the Junior Cloud Architect path take?
Plan for about 12 hours to work through the four topic areas and the knowledge check. Most people spread that over two or three weeks, and add extra hands-on time in a free cloud account.
Do I need experience before starting?
No. Basic computer literacy is enough. If you have worked in IT support or networking you will move faster, but every topic starts from first principles.
What jobs does this path lead to?
It prepares you for entry level roles such as junior cloud engineer, cloud support engineer or associate cloud architect, and gives you the base for the Cloud Security Engineer path later.
Path Summary
- Level
- Beginner
- Estimated time
- 12 hours
- Topics
- 4
- Resources
- 13
- Quiz questions
- 10
- Passing score
- 70% (7/10)