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+--- Thread: [Guide] Tech Certification Roadmaps by Role (/showthread.php?tid=54)
[Guide] Tech Certification Roadmaps by Role - Zero Two - 06-21-2026
Certifications are not required for most dev roles but they carry real weight in infrastructure, security, and cloud. Here is a rough roadmap per track.
Cloud (AWS)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - Entry level, good for non-technical context
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate - Most in-demand AWS cert
- AWS Solutions Architect Professional - Senior level, significantly harder
- AWS DevOps Engineer Professional - CI/CD and automation focus
Networking
- CompTIA Network+ - Good vendor-neutral foundation
- Cisco CCNA - Industry standard for networking roles, covers routing, switching, basics of security
- Cisco CCNP - Advanced, specialise in Enterprise, Security, Data Centre, etc.
Cybersecurity
- CompTIA Security+ - Widely accepted entry-level, DoD approved
- CEH - Ethical hacking, theory-heavy but recognised by corporates
- OSCP - Hands-on pentesting, highly respected, hard exam
- CISSP - Management-level, requires 5yr experience, good for senior roles
Linux / Systems
- CompTIA Linux+ - Entry level
- LPIC-1 / LPIC-2 - Linux Professional Institute, more respected in Europe
- RHCSA / RHCE - Red Hat certs, excellent for enterprise Linux roles
General Tips
- Cloud certs (AWS/GCP/Azure) have the best ROI right now in terms of salary bump per study hour
- Practice exams are more useful than courses for most certs - find Udemy practice tests
- OSCP is worth it if you want to go into penetration testing. Nothing else substitutes for it.
- A cert without hands-on experience is thin. Build alongside studying.