skill-based roadmap · Cloud
AWS Roadmap
A beginner-to-job-ready path covering core AWS services, architecture, security, DevOps, and production engineering on the AWS platform.
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1. Stage 1: Cloud & AWS Fundamentals
Cloud Computing Concepts
Understand IaaS/PaaS/SaaS before touching AWS services
AWS Global Infrastructure
Regions and AZs govern availability and latency decisions
AWS Free Tier & Console Navigation
Hands-on console familiarity accelerates every subsequent topic
IAM: Users, Roles & Policies
Identity and access control is foundational to every AWS service
2. Stage 2: Core Compute & Storage
Amazon EC2
Virtual machines are the baseline for all compute workloads
Amazon S3
Object storage underpins data, static assets, and backups everywhere
AWS Lambda & Serverless Basics
Serverless compute is essential for modern event-driven architectures
Amazon EBS & EFS
Block and file storage complement EC2 for persistent workloads
3. Stage 3: Networking & Security
Amazon VPC
Isolated networking is required for every production deployment
Security Groups & NACLs
Controlling traffic flow protects all resources from exposure
Route 53 & CloudFront
DNS and CDN are critical for performant global web applications
AWS Certificate Manager & WAF
TLS and web application firewall are table-stakes production security
4. Stage 4: Databases & Application Services
Amazon RDS & Aurora
Managed relational databases power most production backends
Amazon DynamoDB
NoSQL at scale is essential for high-throughput serverless apps
Amazon SQS & SNS
Decoupled messaging enables resilient distributed systems
Amazon API Gateway
Managed API layer connects Lambda and backends to the web
5. Stage 5: DevOps, IaC & CI/CD
AWS CLI & SDKs
Scripting AWS programmatically is required for automation
AWS CloudFormation
Infrastructure as Code ensures repeatable, version-controlled deployments
AWS CodePipeline & CodeBuild
Native CI/CD tools automate build-test-deploy workflows on AWS
Amazon ECR & ECS/EKS
Container orchestration is the dominant production deployment model
6. Stage 6: Observability, Cost & Well-Architected
Amazon CloudWatch
Metrics, logs, and alarms are essential for production reliability
AWS X-Ray & CloudTrail
Distributed tracing and audit logs enable debugging and compliance
AWS Cost Explorer & Budgets
Cost management prevents billing surprises in real deployments
AWS Well-Architected Framework
Five pillars guide production-grade, job-ready cloud design decisions
7. Stage 7: Certification & Job Readiness
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Entry-level cert validates foundational AWS fluency for hiring managers
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Most requested AWS cert proves production architecture competence
AWS Skill Builder Practice Labs
Hands-on labs close the gap between reading docs and real work
freeCodeCamp AWS Courses
Free structured video courses reinforce all domains before the exam