Understanding the Key Differences Between DevOps vs DevSecOps

You may hear the terms "DevOps" and "DevSecOps" and wonder: Are these the same thing? What is the difference? and Which is Better?

Understanding the key differences between DevOps and DevSecOps is essential for navigating today's software development landscape.

In this article, we will focus on what's the difference between DevOps and DevSecOps, how to navigate selecting which is better, and what team composition for each will look like. 

Defining DevOps and DevSecOps

DevOps is a software development approach focused on collaboration between Development (Dev) and Operations (Ops) teams throughout the software development lifecycle.

On the other hand, DevSecOps extends DevOps by integrating security practices early in the development process to ensure secure software delivery. DevOps emphasizes fast and frequent delivery of software updates, while DevSecOps incorporates security checks at every stage to address vulnerabilities proactively.

What is the Meaning of DevOps?

DevOps, a combination of "Development" and "Operations," is a set of practices that integrates software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). It aims to shorten the software development lifecycle and deliver features, fixes, and updates more frequently in close alignment with business objectives.

Key features of DevOps include:

1. Collaboration: Breaking down silos between development and operations teams to improve communication and collaboration.

2. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Automating the process of building, testing, and deploying code to reduce the time it takes to get changes into production.

3. Automation: Leveraging tools and scripts to automate repetitive tasks, such as testing, building, and deploying software.

4. Monitoring and Logging: Continuously monitoring systems and applications to detect issues early and ensure performance and reliability.

5. Agility and Speed: Reducing the time from development to deployment to respond quickly to market demands and changes.

By implementing DevOps practices, organizations aim to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and deliver high-quality software more rapidly.

What is the Meaning of DevSecOps?

DevSecOps, short for Development, Security, and Operations, is an approach that integrates security practices into the DevOps workflow. This methodology aims to address security challenges early in the software development lifecycle, instead of treating them as an afterthought.

By incorporating security measures throughout the development and operational phases, DevSecOps seeks to deliver secure software more quickly and efficiently.

The primary goals of DevSecOps are:

1. Automating Security: Embedding security checks and controls into automated processes like CI/CD pipelines to ensure consistent application of security policies.

2. Shift-Left Security: Implementing security practices early in the development process to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they become significant issues.

3. Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between development, security, and operations teams to create a shared responsibility for security.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Testing: Regularly assessing code and infrastructure for vulnerabilities and compliance through automated tests and scans.

By aligning development, security, and operations, DevSecOps ensures that applications are delivered quickly without compromising security.

Key Variances in the Approaches

One of the main differences between DevOps and DevSecOps is the inclusion of security as an integral part of the development process in DevSecOps.

DevOps focuses on collaboration and communication between different teams, and DevSecOps integrates security into every phase of development. DevOps aims for continuous delivery and automation in the software development pipeline, while DevSecOps adds security measures like dynamic application security testing (DAST) and static application security testing (SAST) to ensure secure code deployment.

Integrating Security Into the Development Lifecycle

DevSecOps requires a shift-left approach where security is considered from the initial stages of development. By incorporating security practices in the early stages, vulnerabilities can be identified and mitigated before deployment, leading to a more secure software development process.

For DevSecOps, the integration of security tools and practices in the development lifecycle ensures that security is not an afterthought but an essential component of the software development process.

How Does Security Play a Role in DevOps vs DevSecOps?

Importance of Security Practices in DevOps

In DevOps, security practices often come into play during the later stages of development or even post-deployment. While security is essential, it may not be prioritized as much as speed and efficiency in the delivery process, leading to potential vulnerabilities.

Incorporating security early in the development stages ensures that security practices are not overlooked, enhancing the overall security posture of the software being developed.

Security Practices Within the DevSecOps Model

DevSecOps, on the other hand, places security at the forefront by automating security testing, implementing secure coding practices, and continuously monitoring for vulnerabilities.

This proactive approach ensures that security is ingrained in every aspect of the software development lifecycle.

By incorporating security practices within the DevSecOps model, organizations can build a strong security foundation and mitigate risks effectively throughout the development process.

Incorporating Application Security in Both Methodologies

Both DevOps and DevSecOps recognize the importance of application security. However, while DevOps may focus more on speed and agility in software delivery, DevSecOps emphasizes the importance of secure coding practices, regular security testing, and monitoring to address security concerns proactively.

In DevSecOps, application security is integrated seamlessly into the development lifecycle to ensure that security is not an afterthought but a continuous priority in software development.

What are the Differences in Team Structure and Workflow Between DevOps and DevSecOps?

Team Collaboration in DevOps vs DevSecOps

DevOps teams typically consist of developers, DevOps and cloud engineers, and quality assurance professionals working together to streamline the software development process.

In contrast, DevSecOps teams have security professionals integrated throughout the development pipeline to ensure that security measures are implemented from the outset.

The collaboration between different teams in DevSecOps ensures that security considerations are addressed at every stage of the software development process, leading to more secure and resilient applications.

Read More: Cloud Engineer vs Software Engineer

Workflow Differences in the Software Development Process

DevOps workflows focus on continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices to deliver software updates rapidly, often using agile practices. 

In contrast, DevSecOps workflows incorporate security checkpoints along the development pipeline to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities before deployment.

Aligning workflow processes with security practices can help DevSecOps teams ensure that security issues are not bottlenecks but a seamless part of the software development lifecycle.

Implementing Security in the Development Lifecycle

In DevOps, security is often seen as a checkpoint rather than an embedded practice in the development lifecycle. This can lead to potential security gaps and vulnerabilities that may go unnoticed until later stages of development.

By implementing security practices within the development lifecycle in DevSecOps, organizations can proactively address security concerns, reduce risks, and deliver more secure software solutions to end-users.

How to Transition From DevOps to DevSecOps?

Can DevSecOps Replace DevOps?

DevSecOps is not designed to replace DevOps but rather to enhance and extend its principles by integrating security into every stage of the development and operations process.

While DevOps emphasizes collaboration between development and operations teams to achieve faster and more reliable software delivery, DevSecOps adds a crucial focus on security.

Here’s why DevSecOps complements rather than replaces DevOps:

1. Security Integration: DevSecOps ensures that security is not an afterthought but a fundamental part of the development lifecycle. This inclusion helps identify and address vulnerabilities early.

2. Maintaining Speed and Agility: The core principles of DevOps, such as speed, collaboration, and automation, remain intact in DevSecOps. The added security processes are designed to minimize disruption to development workflows.

3. Shared Responsibility: DevSecOps encourages shared responsibility for security across development, operations, and security teams, fostering a culture of collaboration similar to DevOps.

Read More: The DevOps vs. Developer Dilemma: Choosing the Right Engineer Ratio for Your Team

Steps to Integrate Security Into the DevOps Model

Transitioning from DevOps to DevSecOps involves incorporating security practices early in the development process, automating security testing, and fostering a culture of security awareness among team members.

By gradually integrating security measures into existing DevOps workflows, organizations can transition seamlessly to a DevSecOps model.

Expanding on the steps to integrate security into the DevOps model, organizations can leverage automation tools for security testing, implement secure coding practices, and conduct regular security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively.

Challenges Faced During the Transition Process

One of the key challenges in transitioning from DevOps to DevSecOps is the cultural shift required to prioritize security alongside speed and efficiency.

Teams may face resistance to change, lack of security expertise, or difficulties in aligning security practices with existing workflows.

 Overcoming these challenges involves promoting security awareness, providing training on secure coding practices, and fostering collaboration between development, operations, and security teams to ensure a smooth transition to DevSecOps.

Adopting Automation Tools for Security Testing

Automation plays a crucial role in DevSecOps by enabling continuous security testing, vulnerability assessments, and compliance checks throughout the development lifecycle.

By adopting automation tools like static analysis security testing (SAST) and dynamic application security testing (DAST), organizations can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of security practices in DevSecOps.

Expanding on the adoption of automation tools for security testing, organizations can streamline security processes, identify vulnerabilities in real-time, and ensure consistent security standards across all stages of software development.

Final Word

With the knowledge of DevOps vs DevSecOps, and understanding which is better for your process, you should feel more confident on selecting DevOps and DevSecOps engineers.

By gradually integrating security into the DevOps model through automation, training, and collaboration, organizations can better protect their software and deliver secure, reliable applications.

If you are looking to make the technical hiring process easier, Brokee has several DevOps and DevSecOps assessments that will help you determine whether a candidate is skilled enough to help you improve your DevOps or DevSecOps process. Try our tests for free today!

Read More: Choosing the Best DevOps Test and Technical Screening Tool

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Difference Between DevOps and DevSecOps?

A: DevOps focuses on the collaboration between development and operations teams to automate and streamline the software delivery process, while DevSecOps incorporates security practices into each stage of the development lifecycle.

Q: How does DevSecOps Differ from Traditional DevOps?

A: DevSecOps also integrates security practices throughout the software development lifecycle, whereas traditional DevOps primarily focuses on the collaboration between development and operations teams.

Q: Is DevSecOps Better than DevOps?

This depends on the organization's needs:

1. Security Requirements: If your organization operates in a highly regulated industry or handles sensitive data, DevSecOps could be essential. It ensures that security measures are an integral part of the development process rather than an afterthought.

2. Application Complexity: For simple applications with minimal security risks, traditional DevOps might suffice. However, for complex, distributed applications, embedding security into every stage of development through DevSecOps can help mitigate risks effectively.

3. Cultural Readiness: DevSecOps requires a cultural shift where security is a shared responsibility. If your team is prepared for this shift, it can be beneficial. Otherwise, starting with DevOps Engineers and gradually integrating security practices might be a better approach.

Read More: 7 Signs You Need to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2024

Q: What Stage of the Development Lifecycle does DevSecOps take place?

A: DevSecOps takes place at every stage of the development lifecycle, from planning and coding to testing and deployment. This is also true for DevOps.

Q: How do I Choose Between DevOps and DevSecOps for my Business?

A: The choice between DevOps and DevSecOps depends on the organization's priorities, level of security awareness, and the importance placed on integrating security practices into the development process.

Prepare DevOps Students for the Real World with Brokee

In the rapidly evolving field of DevOps, the gap between educational theory and practical, real-world experience is a significant hurdle for both educators and students. Today's educational programs are under increasing pressure to ensure that students are job-ready upon course completion. 

The success of a course is often measured by the ability of students to secure employment, which increasingly depends on their hands-on experience with the tools and practices they will encounter in their careers, not just certifications or classroom hours.

Enter Brokee, a comprehensive training and testing platform designed to bridge this gap. Brokee offers real-world experience across the spectrum of DevOps practices, from basic to advanced levels, covering all major cloud providers. It's not just a training tool; it ensures students are prepared for the real challenges of technical interviews and a DevOps career. 

Common Pain Points in DevOps Education

We've talked to educational leaders and learned there are many challenges when it comes to teaching DevOps and Cloud to students. These are some of the biggest pain points we've discovered and have addressed with Brokee:

1. Unprepared Students for the Real World

Many educational programs struggle to provide students with the practical experience necessary for today's tech jobs. Traditional learning models often fall short in preparing students for the complexities and rapid changes in the DevOps sector.

1. Lack of Practice Environments

Without a platform like Brokee, educators are faced with the daunting task of creating relevant, current, and unbiased projects. The logistical challenges of setting up diverse cloud environments and ensuring all projects are up-to-date add to this burden.

3. Providing Accurate Feedback 

Traditional methods of assessment and feedback often don't meet the needs of DevOps education, where detailed, specific guidance is crucial. Students want to learn how to improve, and instructors can be challenged to present feedback in a constructive and clear way.

1. Ensuring Integrity

Ensuring the academic integrity of remote and hands-on tests presents its own set of challenges. Anti-cheating measures are especially tough for remote educators who teach in virtual classrooms, where it's tough to keep an eye on students.

1. Scalability Challenges

Scaling educational content to fit class sizes while maintaining consistency across different learning environments is a significant challenge, exacerbated by the rise of remote learning.

Benefits of Brokee for DevOps Education

We've created a platform full of features that help educators ensure students are ready for their careers in DevOps. These are some of the biggest advantages we hear from educators who use Brokee:

Real-World Environment Access

At the heart of Brokee's value proposition is our ability to provide unparalleled access to real-world DevOps environments. This feature enables students to immerse themselves in hands-on experience with the technologies and practices they'll likely encounter in their careers.

By navigating actual cloud platforms, managing containers, and troubleshooting real-time issues, learners gain a depth of understanding and confidence that classroom learning alone cannot provide.

Curriculum Integration

Brokee's design facilitates seamless integration into existing curriculums, enriching traditional educational content with interactive, live testing labs. We've made it so Brokee enhances the learning experience and ensures that students are engaging with material that reflects the latest industry standards and practices.

Educators can incorporate Brokee's labs into their lesson plans, making the leap from theory to practice both smooth and natural.

Scalability and Ease of Use

Understanding the diverse needs of educational programs, Brokee addresses challenges related to scalability and accessibility head-on. Our platform is built to ensure that every student, regardless of the class size or their individual learning environment, has equal access to its resources.

We pride ourselves on an extremely user-friendly interface, making it easy for both students and educators to navigate its comprehensive suite of tools.

Continuous Update Cycle

DevOps is a field characterized by rapid evolution, and Brokee’s commitment to a continuous update cycle ensures that its labs will always reflect the current landscape of the industry. Since Brokee is built by DevOps experts and engineers with deep field experience, our platform keeps educational programs relevant and prepares students for the quickly evolving realities of a career in technology.

Automated Feedback and AI Summaries

Brokee's automated feedback mechanisms provide immediate, actionable insights into student performance, using AI to generate summaries that explain what students did correctly and where they need improvement. This feature is invaluable for educators who seek to provide personalized guidance to each student, ensuring that learning is both effective and targeted.

Anti-Cheating Measures

Addressing concerns about academic integrity, Brokee incorporates advanced anti-cheating measures that reflect the realities of modern DevOps work. By promoting the use of legitimate resources and tools within its testing framework, Brokee prepares students for the collaborative, resourceful nature of tech careers.

Additionally, the platform's ability to randomize test problems ensures a fair, challenging learning experience for all users.

Brokee: Use Cases in Education

Enhanced Learning With Live Labs

Educators often spend countless hours creating, managing, and scoring take-home work and labs, but with Brokee, they can instantly deploy real-world, pre-configured scenarios. This not only saves valuable time but also ensures that students are exposed to a variety of unique, randomized problems that mimic actual DevOps challenges. 

The result is a more efficient, engaging, and effective educational process where students gain practical skills ready for the workforce, and educators can focus more on teaching and less on administrative tasks.

Ideal for Remote Learning

Brokee is a perfect tool for both testing and labs in remote learning settings. Educators can see how students are applying lessons in live environments, using playback features, history of commands, and final results.

The platform is also perfect for virtual labs, where instructors can lead students through each part of common DevOps scenarios: troubleshooting cloud infrastructure, operating and automating multiple servers in complex environments, managing containers, and more.

Collaborative Problem-Solving Sessions

Brokee allows educators to create live environments for group learning. Imagine a classroom where, instead of hypothetical scenarios, students are grouped into teams to navigate real-time challenges presented by Brokee. The teacher acts not just as an instructor, but as a guide, steering students through complex problem-solving processes.

This practical application fosters a deeper understanding of DevOps principles and enhances teamwork skills, preparing students for the collaborative nature of the tech industry.

Large-Scale Exams

Traditional exams often fail to fully assess a student’s ability to handle real-world tech problems. Brokee changes the game by supporting mass examinations where hundreds of students can undertake tests simultaneously, each facing unique, randomized problems that mimic actual DevOps challenges. 

This not only levels the playing field by providing every student with a distinct set of tasks but also enables institutions to efficiently gauge the practical skills of a large cohort, ensuring that their graduates are truly ready for the workforce.

Try a Free Demo!

We invite educators and industry professionals alike to experience Brokee firsthand. Discover how our platform can revolutionize your approach to DevOps training, from basic operations in Linux servers to managing complex cloud environments. With Brokee, you get not just a tool, but a partner in education and training. 

Our flexible pricing, test-credits system, and inclusive access for team evaluations ensure that our platform adapts to your specific needs. Don’t take our word for it; contact us for a free demo and see for yourself how we can tailor our offerings to best support your goals.

Prepare the Next Generation of DevOps Students for Success

The importance of hands-on, practical experience cannot be overstated. Help equip your students with the practical experience they need to get hired in a DevOps role they enjoy.

Brokee stands ready to prepare the next generation of DevOps professionals for the challenges ahead, ensuring they are not just educated, but truly job-ready. Explore Brokee and take the first step towards transforming your approach to DevOps education and training.

Embracing AI in Technical Hiring: A Guide to AI Tools in DevOps and Cloud Hiring

AI: A Catalyst for Change in Technical Hiring

The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the hiring process marks a transformative era for recruiting DevOps, Cloud Engineers, and other technical talent.

The shift from traditional methodologies towards AI-driven strategies underscores the evolving landscape of talent acquisition in the tech industry. Let's explore how AI will shift technical recruitment and how you can integrate AI into your own technical hiring process.

Redefining Technical Recruitment with AI

AI's integration reshapes hiring practices by emphasizing skill based assessments and leveraging talent tools designed to identify the most qualified candidates for specialized roles.

The Talent Tool Advantage: Beyond Conventional Hiring

Embracing talent tools equipped with AI allows recruiters to adopt a more nuanced approach to hiring, focusing on practical skills and hands-on experience rather than just educational background or professional experience.

AI for Candidate Engagement and Communication

One notable development is the use of AI for candidate engagement and communication. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are increasingly being used to maintain constant and personalized communication with candidates throughout the hiring process.

These tools can answer queries, provide updates, and even gather feedback, enhancing the candidate experience and ensuring that potential hires remain engaged and informed.

Candidate Screening: Expedited by AI

AI-driven screening is revolutionizing the initial steps of the hiring process for technical positions, from DevOps to Developers. These tools efficiently sift through numerous resumes to identify candidates with the precise skills and experience needed, going beyond mere keyword matching to understand context and potential for growth.

This not only streamlines the technical screening process, ensuring only the most qualified candidates advance but also frees up recruiters and hiring teams to concentrate on strategic engagement with top talent.

AI-Driven Predictive Analytics for Talent Acquisition

Another emerging application of AI is in predictive analytics for talent acquisition. By analyzing vast amounts of data on candidates' skills, experience, and even past job performances, AI algorithms can predict the likelihood of a candidate's success in a particular role. This predictive capability allows hiring teams to make more data-driven decisions, potentially improving the quality of hires and reducing turnover.

Skills Testing Software: Elevating Technical Hiring

The advent of AI-powered skills testing software is revolutionizing how companies assess technical candidates, ensuring a match between the job requirements and the candidate's actual capabilities.

AI facilitates a deeper analysis of candidates' skills, offering insights that go beyond what resumes and traditional interviews can reveal. This precision in assessment is pivotal for roles requiring high technical proficiency.

Read More: Technical Assessments Transformed Flatworld's DevOps Hiring Process

AI and the Evolving Landscape of Technical Skills

The influence of AI extends to the skill sets required for technical roles, necessitating candidates to adapt by acquiring new competencies that complement AI technologies.

The Future Skill Set: Collaborating with AI

The demand for skills such as AI collaboration, agility, and resilience underscores the shifting requirements in the tech industry, preparing candidates for the future of work.

Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven Hiring

While AI in hiring offers numerous advantages, it also presents ethical challenges, including concerns over data privacy, bias, and the transparency of AI algorithms. Addressing these concerns is critical for maintaining fairness and integrity in the hiring process.

Read More: 7 Signs You Need to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2024

Implementing AI in Your Recruitment Strategy: Practical Steps

As we recognize the transformative power of AI in reshaping DevOps and technical hiring, it's crucial for recruiters and hiring teams to understand how to effectively implement AI tools within their recruitment processes.

Here are practical steps and examples of AI applications that can enhance your hiring strategy:

Leveraging AI for Efficient Candidate Screening

AI-powered screening tools can significantly streamline the recruitment process by quickly identifying candidates whose skills and experiences match the job requirements. Technical screening tools analyze resumes and application materials at scale, ensuring no potential match is overlooked due to human bias or error.

Crafting Perfect Job Descriptions with AI

Utilize AI to generate job descriptions that are not only appealing but also optimized for search and inclusivity. AI can help identify and eliminate biased language, ensuring the descriptions attract a diverse pool of candidates. Moreover, AI-driven analytics can suggest improvements based on the performance of past job postings, enhancing the effectiveness of your recruitment marketing efforts.

Enhancing Technical Assessments with AI

Skills-Assessment Platforms like Brokee leverage AI to evaluate technical tests, creating summaries that are comprehensible even to non-technical stakeholders. This not only speeds up the decision-making process but also ensures a fair assessment of candidates' skills. By adopting AI-powered assessment tools, companies can ensure a consistent, objective, and detailed evaluation of technical competencies.

Read More: DevOps Assessments Streamlined EclecticIQ's Hiring Process [Case Study]

Steps for Integration

1. Evaluate Your Needs: Identify the specific challenges and opportunities in your current hiring process where AI can have the most impact.

2. Choose the Right Tools: Research and select the best tech recruitment platforms and technical screening tools that align with your organization's size, industry, and specific hiring needs. Consider tools that offer a good balance between automation and human touch.

3. Train Your Team: Ensure your hiring team is well-versed in the capabilities and limitations of the AI tools you choose. This includes understanding how to interpret AI-generated insights and when to apply human judgment.

4. Monitor and Refine: Regularly monitor the performance of these tools, gather feedback from candidates and hiring managers, and refine your approach based on data-driven insights.

5. Ethical Considerations: Opt for tools that prioritize transparency and fairness, and consider conducting regular audits to ensure these standards are met.

Preparing for the Future: AI in Technical Hiring

The journey towards integrating AI into DevOps and technical hiring is an ongoing process that promises to enhance the effectiveness and fairness of talent acquisition strategies.

Organizations that adapt to these changes by incorporating AI-driven tools and a skills-based approach will be better positioned to attract top talent and build a workforce ready to tackle future technological challenges.

In embracing AI's potential to transform DevOps and technical hiring, companies can unlock new levels of efficiency and precision in identifying the right candidates, paving the way for a future where talent and technology are in perfect harmony.

7 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing Skill Assessment Software

Key Mistakes to Avoid in Choosing Skill Assessment Tools

Choosing the right skill assessment software is crucial for identifying top talent and ensuring a smooth recruitment process. We've highlighted seven red flags to watch out for when selecting skill assessment software.

By being aware of these pitfalls, hiring teams can avoid common mistakes and select a tool that effectively meets their needs, enhances the hiring process, and secures the best candidates for their organization.

🚩 Platform has Challenging User Interface

Choosing a skill assessment platform that is difficult for candidates to navigate, prone to glitches, or missing essential features can significantly detract from their focus on the test, fostering frustration or feelings of inequity.

This not only discourages highly qualified applicants from proceeding with the application process but can also cause skilled candidates to underperform due to the platform's limitations.

Additionally, it's crucial that the platform is equally intuitive for the hiring team to administer tests, ensuring a smooth flow and user-friendly experience for non-technical staff. A platform that complicates the test-sending process can further strain the efficiency and effectiveness of the hiring procedure.

🚩 Talent Assessment Fails to Evaluate Essential Daily Skills

A frequent oversight in the selection of technology hiring platforms is settling for one that provides multiple choice questions or a basic coding environment, without including the advanced functionalities necessary for candidates to showcase their expertise in specific technical roles, such as DevOps, security, or software development. 

The inability of candidates to demonstrate their day-to-day job skills increases the risk of hiring individuals who may not be up to the task. At Brokee, we offer broken live environments for DevOps and cloud engineers to fix, we pride ourselves on mirroring real-world challenges that engineers perform daily.

Read More: 7 Signs You Need to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2024

🚩 Vulnerability to Cheating

A major concern with skill assessment platforms is their susceptibility to cheating, as traditional methods like multiple-choice and coding tests often can't prevent dishonesty. Tactics include online searches, AI tools, and external help. To counteract this, some opt for invasive measures like in-person testing or surveillance, which may not mimic real-world conditions.

At Brokee, we tackle cheating by using live environment tests that simulate actual work scenarios, allowing candidates to utilize resources such as Google or ChatGPT. This strategy values the skill of applying information, with tests designed to verify core knowledge and tool proficiency.

Our non-restrictive timing and playback technology ensure process authenticity, offering a practical and integrity-focused solution to the issue of cheating in assessments.

🚩 Excluding Key Stakeholders from the Selection Process

Failing to involve crucial stakeholders, such as hiring managers, recruiters, and technical team members when choosing the type of skill assessment tool can result in a poor fit between the tool's capabilities and the company’s hiring requirements. If tests don't reflect the needed skills on the job, technical teams can feel frustrated if new hires underperform.

Additionally, we recommend ensuring that test results are written in layman's terms so non-technical parties can easily understand the performance of candidates. For example, at Brokee, we utilize AI to generate simple summaries of candidates' testing performance, making the information accessible and understandable for those without a deep technological background, which bridges the communication gap between technical and non-technical hiring team members.

🚩 Incompatibility with Existing HR Tools

The inability of a skill assessment platform to integrate smoothly with a company's pre-existing applicant tracking system (ATS) or other recruitment tools can lead to inefficiencies in the tech hiring workflow, which is particularly problematic for smaller teams or those who hire at scale.

We're happy to announce that Brokee now provides API documentation to facilitate more seamless integration with your hiring stack, alleviating potential bottlenecks and enhancing the overall recruitment process.

🚩 Skill Assessment Tests Aren't Scalable

A common mistake we see hiring teams make is underestimating the importance of choosing a scalable skills assessment tool. Since a company's hiring needs fluctuate during growth or hiring freezes, it's essential to select a tool that can adjust and expand accordingly.

We recommend choosing an assessment tool that offers flexibility and scalability, with the ability to adapt to your budget during peak hiring times and provide rollover features for months when there is minimal hiring.

🚩 Lack of Transparency in Pricing and Trials

If a skill assessment platform isn't transparent in pricing or doesn't offer a free trial period, we recommend finding a different tool!  You'll likely experience challenges down the road if you opt out of a trial period and buy without trying. 

We strongly advise opting for a platform that not only clarifies pricing but also enables your team—and potentially, a select group of candidates—to test its features comprehensively. This dual-feedback approach allows both your technical team and candidates to provide valuable insights.

Also, a trial lets hiring teams have hands-on experience with the platform, granting them the opportunity to explore its functionalities and assessment library in depth. This strategy is fundamental in enabling teams to make well-informed decisions, ensuring the chosen tool aligns perfectly with your hiring process and expectations.

Read More: Introducing Pricing Plans and Free Trial for Tests

How can Skills-Based Assessment Software Impact the Hiring Process?

Streamlining the initial pre-employment screening process

Skill assessment software streamlines the initial candidate screening process by efficiently evaluating candidates' skills and competencies. This automation saves time and allows hiring teams to focus on assessing the most qualified candidates, enhancing the overall efficiency of the hiring process.

Providing valuable insights into candidates' strengths and weaknesses

By using skill assessment software, hiring teams gain valuable insights into candidates' strengths and weaknesses. This information helps recruiters and hiring managers make informed decisions about candidate suitability for specific roles, leading to more effective hiring outcomes.

Enabling hiring teams to hire the best candidates

Skill assessment software enables hiring teams to make data-driven hiring decisions based on objective assessments of candidates' skills. By leveraging data and analytics provided by the software, recruiters and hiring managers can identify the best candidates for the job, improving the quality of new hires and reducing employee turnover.

How to Pick the Best Skills Assessment Software for Your Needs?

Talent Strategy Should Test the Right Skills

When evaluating skill assessment tools, it's essential to understand the specific skills being assessed and ensure they align with your company's needs. Look for a platform that offers assessments tailored to the skill sets required for the job roles you're hiring for.

The Best Tools Should be Easy to Use and Accessible

User-friendly software that is easy to use and accessible to all stakeholders is crucial when evaluating skill assessment tools. Ensure that the platform provides a seamless user experience for both candidates and hiring teams to facilitate efficient assessment processes.

Compatibility with Your Talent Acquisition Process

When selecting skill assessment software, it's crucial to assess its compatibility with your talent acquisition process. Ensure that the platform aligns with your company's goals and objectives for hiring and employee development. Look for a tool that seamlessly integrates into your existing HR systems to streamline the assessment process and enhance efficiency.

Assess the Analytics and Evaluation Features of the Software

One of the key aspects to consider is the reporting and analytics capabilities of the skill assessment tool. Opt for software that provides detailed insights into candidate performance, helping you make informed hiring decisions. Look for platforms that offer customizable reports and analytics to analyze data effectively and track the progress of your assessment process.

Avoid red flags and select assessment software that works best for your team.

Next-Level Competency Assessments

As you navigate the complex landscape of skill assessment software, remember that the right tool can significantly impact your hiring success. Choose a platform that values transparency, scalability, and real-world applicability. We've developed Brokee's innovative solutions to address these challenges head-on. 

Don't settle for less—opt for a tool that aligns with your hiring goals and elevates your talent acquisition strategy. We invite you to a free trial to test our live environment assessments and experience the difference firsthand. Take the first step towards transforming your hiring process today. 

The DevOps vs. Developer Dilemma: Choosing the Right Engineer Ratio for Your Team

Choosing the right team of engineers plays a pivotal role in product success. Striking the right balance between DevOps engineers and software developers can seem like a daunting task, but understanding their roles, responsibilities, and benefits can facilitate that decision.

In this article, we delve into the nuances of DevOps vs Developer roles and help you understand how to make the best investment for your team.

What's the Difference Between a DevOps Engineer and a Developer?

DevOps engineers and software developers (sometimes called software engineers, programmers, coders, SWEs) form the backbone of software development teams. Intersectionality exists but each profession harnesses distinctive roles, responsibilities, skills, and abilities which we will differentiate in this segment.

DevOps job titles can vary greatly, while work may be similar

Common DevOps Job Titles: Infrastructure Engineer vs DevOps Engineer vs Systems Engineer

DevOps can encompass many similar roles, some that are more-or-less interchangeable and others with subtle differences. DevOps-related roles often include the following:

• Platform Engineer

• Build/Release Engineer

• Release Manager

• Automation Engineer or Architect

• Cloud Engineer

• Security Engineer

• Cloud Systems Administrator

• Infrastructure Engineer

• Systems Engineer

• Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)

• System Administrator (Sysadmin)

• AWS / GCP / Azure Engineer

• DevSecOps Engineer

• Observability Engineer

• FinOps Consultants

The biggest distinctions among DevOps roles are between Platform, SRE, Cloud, Build Release, FinOps, and "traditional" DevOps engineers. DevOps emphasizes collaboration and automation, while Platform Engineers create scalable infrastructure. SREs prioritize reliability, Cloud Engineers leverage cloud platforms, and Build Release Engineers streamline development cycles. FinOps consultants align cloud usage with budgetary goals.

These roles, though interconnected, bring specialized focus to optimize modern IT ecosystems for efficiency and reliability.

Read More: The Top DevOps and Cloud Conferences to Attend in 2024

Role and Responsibility: DevOps Engineer vs Software Developer

A DevOps engineer focuses on the development and maintenance of software release systems, collaboration with the software development team, aligning with industry standards, and employing DevOps tools. On the other hand, a software developer's role concentrates on building scalable software applications, coding, integrating data services, testing, and debugging.

Does Full Stack include DevOps?

While Full Stack developers handle the complete development process, many are expanding their skills to include DevOps practices. However, DevOps is a broader scope that needs a shift in mindset, not just skills, to achieve operational success.

DevOps vs Full Stack Developer: Spotting Key Differences

While both roles may seem similar, the key difference lies in scope. Full Stack developers handle the front and backend software development along with deployment, while a DevOps engineer has an overarching role that includes creating, testing, deploying, and managing an application's infrastructure and operations while using DevOps tools and cloud systems.

Dev vs DevOps: Breaking Down the Skill Set required

While developers specialize in languages like Java, DevOps professionals master web and cloud services such as AWS, GCP, and Azure, while also being familiar with various programming languages (most commonly Python, Javascript, Java, and Ruby). Their training goes beyond software engineering to include system operations, making them adept at managing CI/CD pipelines and understanding cloud operations better.

DevOps engineers and software developers have different functions

DevOps Engineer vs Developer: Who Builds and Operates Better?

The answer to this question depends on the need of the project. Developers build software applications while DevOps engineers optimize the software development process using cloud services, agile methodologies, and advance QA techniques making the operations seamless and error-free.

Difference between DevOps and Software Development Team

The significant difference between Cloud Engineers vs Software Engineers is their functions. A software development team is focused on building software applications, while a DevOps team emphasizes automating the software development process, enhancing collaboration between development and operations, and maintaining the application environment for continuous deployment and improvement.

Unpacking the DevOps Culture: What Does DevOps Really Mean?

DevOps culture is more than a fusion of development and operations. It involves shared responsibility, seamless communication, continuous learning and improvement, automation, and integration of tools. Here's looking at what this means.

Responsibility and Operations in a DevOps Culture

In a DevOps culture, responsibility is shared. DevOps engineers are responsible for not just application development and deployment, but for system operations, standardizing deployments, setting up automation processes, handling security, and monitoring application performance.

Who does DevOps Report to?

Organizational structure dictates who DevOps Engineers reports to, but ideally, they collaborate directly with different stakeholders including development, infrastructure, IT operations and security teams, ensuring the smooth functioning of software applications from conception to delivery.

How DevOps Changes the Software Development Process

By deploying agile methodologies and automating manual tasks, DevOps has revolutionized the software development process. Changes include Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), automated testing, microservices architecture, and cloud adoption, that ensure the pipeline is efficient and updated.

Mastering DevOps Tools for Optimal Product Development

DevOps tools like Docker, Jenkins, Kubernetes improve product lifecycle management by optimizing various aspects such as version control, testing, integration, deployment, and monitoring. Mastering these tools allows for efficient product development and helps maintain product reliability and speed.

DevOps Culture: Nurturing Success and Continuous Improvement

DevOps builds a culture of continuous improvement, rapid feedback, and high software quality. Nurturing this culture in your team can significantly enhance the efficiency of your software development process and promote successful outcomes.

Evolution and Future Trends in DevOps Culture

DevOps has evolved dramatically over the years, focusing more on automation and cloud services. Future trends indicate a move towards AI-assisted DevOps (AIOps), wider adoption of microservices, and increased focus on security (DevSecOps).

Weigh the pros and cons of the tech talent to hire for your team

Pros and Cons of Hiring a DevOps Engineer Vs A Developer

Everything has its pros and cons. Deciding on whether to hire a DevOps engineer or a software developer will depend on evaluating these trade-offs.

Why Hire a DevOps Engineer? Pros and Benefits

DevOps engineers bring with them a rich set of benefits such as increased deployment frequency, less complexity, reduced failure rate of new releases, improving productivity and work culture. They are the driving force behind Continuous Integration & Deployment, making it a compelling role.

Challenges and Risk Factors in Hiring DevOps Engineers

Despite their strengths, hiring DevOps engineers can be challenging. The expertise required, the shortage of skilled professionals, salary expectations, and investment in training can make hiring difficult.

The Hiring Dilemma: Full Stack Developers vs DevOps Engineers

Full stack developers can handle the entire development pipeline from ideation to deployment, but the operations and agility that DevOps engineers bring to the table is unmatched. The choice between the two comes down to specific company and project needs.

How DevOps Engineers Also Benefit Software Development Teams

DevOps engineers bring systematic efficiency, orchestrate better scalability with automation, ensure consistency across environments, and offer accelerated time to market – benefits that can significantly enhance the performance of your software development teams.

Finding the Balance: Developers Vs DevOps in the Cloud

The cloud has revolutionized how developers and DevOps engineers contribute to app development. Here's a look at how they handle cloud operations and the role they play.

The Role of DevOps Engineers in Cloud Operations

DevOps engineers play a significant role in cloud operations - formulating and executing cloud strategies, selecting appropriate DevOps tools, managing cloud deployments, ensuring security, and enabling scalability. Adopting the cloud has led to greater collaboration between teams and enhanced software delivery efficiency.

Cloud Development: How Developers and DevOps Contribute

While developers build cloud-ready applications, DevOps engineers ensure these built applications are effectively deployed and managed in the cloud, making their contribution to cloud development invaluable. Together, they make cloud projects agile, robust, and successful.

Cloud Migration: DevOps vs Software Developers

Both roles actively contribute to cloud migration. Software developers redesign applications to be cloud-friendly, while DevOps engineers take the existing software development process and enhance it to seamlessly fit the cloud architecture, thereby enabling smooth migration while minimizing downtime.

Software Development in the Cloud: The DevOps Advantage

A major advantage of DevOps in cloud development is its ability to automate procedures, quicken releases, bring agility, and maintain high-quality standards. The nature of cloud demands enhanced collaboration and rapid deployment – a key facet of the DevOps methodology.

Full Stack Developers and DevOps: Collaboration in the Cloud

Full Stack developers build and deploy applications in the cloud while DevOps engineers ensure collaborative, seamless, and automated cloud operations. When both roles come together, they deliver a highly efficient, resilient, and successful cloud project.

What are the right skills and training to become a DevOps engineer?

How to be a DevOps: Can Your Engineers Gain These Skills?

Transitioning to a DevOps role requires a blend of technical prowess, continuous learning, and an adaptable mindset. With the right training and skill development, engineers can successfully make this transition.

Cloud DevOps Engineer Skills

Understanding of Cloud Infrastructure: A fundamental requirement for Cloud DevOps engineers is a thorough understanding of cloud services and infrastructure, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. This involves knowing how to manage, deploy, and scale applications in the cloud.

Proficiency in Automation and Scripting: Automation is at the heart of DevOps. Skills in scripting languages like Python, Bash, or Ruby are essential for automating deployment and other processes.

CI/CD Pipeline Management: Knowledge of Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines is crucial. This includes using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI to automate the testing and deployment of code.

Containerization and Orchestration: Familiarity with container technologies like Docker and orchestration tools like Kubernetes is vital for creating scalable and efficient DevOps workflows.

Monitoring and Logging: DevOps engineers must be skilled in monitoring the performance of applications and infrastructure. Proficiency in tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK Stack is important for this aspect.

Security Best Practices: Understanding of DevSecOps principles, including incorporating security into the software development lifecycle, is a key skill for DevOps engineers.

Training and Skill Development for Aspiring DevOps Engineers

If you're wondering if your engineers can learn and transition to become DevOps, there are certain skills and training they would require.

Formal Education and Training: Many online courses and certifications, like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or Kubernetes Certification, can provide foundational and advanced knowledge. To make ensure engineers have sufficient knowledge to handle DevOps processes, we recommend using DevOps assessments to evaluate their skills.

Hands-On Experience: Practical experience is crucial. Encourage engineers to set up their own CI/CD pipelines, work with cloud services, and deploy applications in a controlled environment.

Regular Workshops and Tech Talks: Hosting or attending workshops and tech talks can keep engineers updated with the latest trends and best practices in DevOps.

Mentorship Programs: Pairing up aspiring DevOps engineers with experienced mentors can facilitate a smoother learning curve and provide guidance on industry-specific challenges.

Read More: The Best DevOps Bootcamps in 2024

DevOps Scope

DevOps covers a wide array of skills including coding, scripting, configuration management, infrastructure management, CI/CD methodologies, and a deep understanding of cloud services. Gaining these skills could open up greater opportunities for your engineers to support your website and cloud infrastructure.

What's the right ratio of talent for your tech team?

DevOps Statistics for Your Team

How Many DevOps Should Your Company Have?

The number of developers in a startup or small and medium business (SME) can vary based on the size and specific needs of the organization. According to FasterCapital, startups typically need between one and four developers. On the other hand, large enterprises may hire tens of thousands of tech roles, the majority being developers, as well as a large amount of DevOps engineers.

The role of a developer in a startup can vary significantly based on the size and type of the startup. In smaller startups, developers may be responsible for all aspects of software development, while in larger companies, developers may specialize in specific areas such as website development, database administration, or software development tools.

DevOps to Engineer Ratio

The ideal Developer to DevOps engineer ratio is 5:1, and in large software organizations like Google, the ratio is 6:1. Large start-ups, can have a Developer to DevOps ratio as high as 15:1, however it is not recommended to have insufficient cloud and infrastructure support.

How Many DevOps Engineers are There Per Company?

Google has approximately 27,000 software engineers, and their 6:1 Developer to DevOps ration means they are estimated to have at least 4,500 DevOps engineers. Amazon employs over 36,000 software engineers, and likely has over 6,000 DevOps roles.

The Costs of Putting Together a Tech Dream Team

Data from the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023 highlights the competitive salaries reported by developers, with Cloud Engineers and Site Reliability Engineers topping the list in the United States. 

Hire DevOps Engineers or Software Developers: Salary and Demand Statistics

While salary is always a consideration, both DevOps engineers and software developers bring substantial value to an organization. According to Gartner, the demand for both roles is expected to grow. Based on the scope and nature of work, choose a role that offers optimal value.

DevOps vs Software Engineer Salary

Software engineers can be considered a part of numerous roles and vary greatly, so for this number, we looked to Indeed and Glassdoor, and found an average salary of $117,000 in the US in 2023. From these same statistics, we discovered that DevOps engineers reportedly earned an average salary ranging from $125k to $133k in the US in 2023.

DevOps vs Backend Salary

The average salary for a back end developer is a whopping $157,092 per year in the United States (2023), according to Indeed, and $147,662 according to ZipRecruiter estimates.

DevOps Engineer vs Full Stack Developer Salary

The average salary for a full stack developer in 2023 ranges from $124,943 per year in the United States, to $134,771.

Is DevOps Adoption Worth it?

Adopting DevOps practices can be a significant decision for any organization. It involves integrating development and operations teams to improve collaboration, increase efficiency, and automate processes. Before making this transition, it's essential to weigh the potential benefits against the cost of hiring DevOps engineers or DevOps engineering service providers.

Pros and Cons of DevOps for Your Team

Pros:

• Enhanced Collaboration: DevOps fosters a culture of collaboration and communication between developers and operations teams, leading to more cohesive and efficient workflows.

• Increased Efficiency: Automation of repetitive tasks and streamlined processes lead to faster development cycles and quicker deployment.

• Improved Quality: Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) ensure frequent testing, reducing the likelihood of major issues and improving the overall quality of the software.

• Better Customer Satisfaction: Faster deployment of features and fixes means improved customer experiences and quicker response to market demands.

Cons:

• Initial Implementation Challenges: The shift to DevOps can require significant changes in culture and processes, which might be challenging initially.

• Training and Skill Development: Teams may require training to adapt to new tools and practices, involving time and financial investment.

• Hiring Risks: DevOps engineers take care of some of the most vulnerable parts of your infrastructure - make sure you hire a high-quality DevOps (we recommend using DevOps assessments to hire the right candidates!).

DevOps can lead to success in some instances

DevOps Success Stories

Many companies have successfully adopted DevOps, leading to remarkable improvements in their operations. For example, Netflix's implementation of DevOps practices has enabled them to manage massive deployments efficiently across a global infrastructure.

Another success story is Etsy, which transformed from lengthy deployment cycles to deploying more than 50 times a day, significantly enhancing their ability to respond to market needs.

DevOps Engineering Services

For companies looking to transition to DevOps but lacking in-house expertise, DevOps engineering services can be invaluable. These services typically offer:

• Assessment and Planning: Evaluating your current IT infrastructure and processes to create a tailored DevOps adoption strategy.

• CI/CD Pipeline Setup: Establishing continuous integration and deployment pipelines to automate the software release process.

• Cloud Infrastructure Management: Assisting in managing and optimizing cloud resources.

• Monitoring and Logging: Implementing monitoring tools for better visibility into the performance and health of applications and infrastructure.

• Security Integration (DevSecOps): Incorporating security practices into the DevOps workflow to ensure secure software development.

• Training and Support: Providing training and ongoing support to help teams adapt to DevOps practices.

DevOps engineering services can act as a bridge, helping your team to smoothly transition to DevOps practices while minimizing disruptions to your current operations.

Final Word

Determining the right mix of DevOps engineers and developers is crucial for optimizing your team's performance and achieving project success. The choice depends on understanding the distinct roles, skills, and contributions of each.

Balancing these roles ensures a comprehensive approach to software development, from creation to deployment, fostering a culture of innovation, efficiency, and quality in your team's work.

Cloud Engineer vs Software Engineer: What Sets a Cloud System Engineer Apart

Cloud engineers and software engineers are often thought to have similar job responsibilities, but they actually have distinct roles in the world of technology.

While both work with software applications, cloud engineers specialize in the infrastructure and support of cloud computing systems, while software engineers focus on the development of software solutions.

Differences Between Cloud and Software Engineers

The main difference between cloud engineers and software engineers lies in their focus and skillset. Cloud engineers prioritize the management and support of cloud-based systems and infrastructure. They ensure the availability, reliability, and security of cloud services.

Software engineers, on the other hand, concentrate on software development, creating applications and solutions that run on various operating systems and meet specific user requirements.

Cloud engineers versus software engineers

What Is A Cloud Engineer?

A cloud engineer is a professional who specializes in designing, building, and maintaining cloud-based infrastructure and services. They have expertise in various cloud platforms and technologies, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Cloud engineers play a crucial role in modern IT environments, enabling businesses to leverage the power of the cloud for scalable and cost-effective solutions. They help organizations migrate their infrastructure to the cloud and ensure the smooth operation and ongoing support of cloud-based systems.

Cloud engineers are similar or sometimes, interchangeable, to the following roles: DevOps Engineers, Cloud Architects, Systems Administrators, Network Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers (SREs), Cloud Security Engineers, DevSecOps, Cloud Solutions Architects, Cloud Operations Engineers, and Data Engineers.

What Does A Cloud Engineer Do?

A cloud engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing cloud-based solutions. They ensure the availability, performance, and security of cloud infrastructure and services.

Cloud engineers work closely with software developers, network engineers, and system administrators to create efficient and scalable cloud-based architectures. They are also responsible for monitoring and troubleshooting cloud systems, optimizing resource utilization, and implementing best practices for cloud infrastructure management.

Read More: The Top DevOps and Cloud Conferences to Attend in 2024

Are you on the cloud yet?

What is Cloud Computing?

At its core, cloud computing refers to the delivery of various services, such as storage, computing power, databases, networking, and software, over the internet, often through a network of remote servers.

This approach allows users to access and leverage these resources on a pay-as-you-go basis, eliminating the need for extensive on-premises hardware and infrastructure.

Cloud computing is characterized by its scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, making it a driving force behind the digital transformation of businesses and the delivery of innovative services.

Cloud engineers play a pivotal role in the world of cloud computing by ensuring the seamless operation and optimization of cloud-based systems. They are instrumental in bringing the concept of cloud computing to life.

Cloud engineers come into play by designing, building, and maintaining the cloud infrastructure and services that organizations rely on, as well as sometimes even maximizing cloud financial management.

Job responsibilities vary between cloud engineers and software engineers

Cloud Engineers vs Software Engineers – Job Responsibilities

Cloud engineers are primarily responsible for designing, implementing, and managing cloud infrastructure and services to support an organization's IT operations. 

Their primary focus is on leveraging cloud computing platforms and technologies to optimize performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency. They ensure the reliability and efficiency of cloud services, working closely with cloud service providers such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

On the other hand, software engineers are involved in the entire software development lifecycle,  with responsibilities related to everything from designing and coding to testing and debugging. They create software solutions that meet specific user needs and enhance system performance.

Read More: Platform Engineering vs DevOps

Software Engineer vs Cloud Engineer: Salary Difference

In 2023 and beyond, both software engineers and cloud engineers find themselves in incredibly high demand in the technology industry. With the digital transformation of businesses and the growing reliance on cloud-based services, these professionals play a vital role in the development and maintenance of modern software systems.

The salaries for both roles are quite similar, and they depend on factors such as experience, certifications, technical skills, and proficiency in programming languages.

According to ZipRecruiter, the US national average salary for Cloud Engineers is approximately $130,000 mirroring the average for Software Engineers in 2023.

However, it's noteworthy that entry-level positions in the field of cloud engineering tend to offer a higher average salary at around $109,500, as compared to entry-level software engineering positions, which average around $91,966.

The broad pay range for entry-level positions in both fields, differing by as much as $48,500, implies that there are ample opportunities for career advancement and increased compensation, influenced by factors such as expertise, geographic location, and years of experience. 

Read More: The Best DevOps and Cloud Bootcamps of 2024

Salaries can vary greatly depending on location, skills, and more

Why are Cloud Engineers Paid So Much?

The demand for cloud engineers is high due to the increasing adoption of cloud computing by businesses. Cloud engineers possess specialized skills and knowledge in cloud technologies, making them valuable assets in the tech industry.

Their ability to design, build, and manage cloud systems that optimize productivity and efficiency contributes to their higher salary levels.

Keep in mind that expenses for hiring a cloud engineer go beyond just salary, but can include other hidden costs of your hiring pipeline, such as technical interviews, hiring mistakes, and more.

What Skills Does a Cloud Engineer Need?

A cloud engineer must possess a solid understanding of cloud technologies and platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. They should have expertise in networking, virtualization, and storage technologies.

 Additionally, strong programming skills in languages like Python, Java, or C# are necessary for scripting and automation purposes. Communication skills are also vital as cloud engineers often collaborate with teams and need to effectively convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Is Coding Required for Cloud Engineers?

Yes, coding is an essential skill for cloud engineers. While they may not write large software applications like software engineers do, cloud engineers still require programming skills for scripting, automation, and infrastructure as code tasks. They often use programming languages to automate processes and manage cloud resources efficiently.

Consider coding languages like Python, Java, C#, Golang, and Powershell

Which Coding Languages Do Cloud Engineers Use?

Cloud engineers commonly use programming languages such as Python, Java, C#, Golang, and PowerShell. These languages offer flexibility, extensive libraries, and frameworks that enable cloud engineers to build and automate cloud infrastructure effectively. Additionally, proficiency in infrastructure as code tools like Terraform or Ansible can be beneficial in cloud engineering.

What Technical Skills Should Cloud Engineers Have?

Besides proficiency in cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as being well-versed in programming languages to automate tasks and manage cloud resources effectively, there are other expertise cloud engineers should have.

A solid grasp of networking principles, including VPC, VPN, and load balancing, is crucial for building efficient and secure cloud architectures. Expertise in virtualization, storage solutions, and serverless computing is essential for resource optimization and scalability. 

 Additionally, knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes has become increasingly important in a landscape where microservices and containerization are prevalent.

How to Evaluate DevOps or Cloud Engineers

When evaluating DevOps or cloud engineers for your team, it's important to go beyond traditional interview questions.

While scenario-based queries, technical problem-solving exercises, and inquiries about real-life experiences are valuable, modern tools like Cloud Assessments have proven to be more effective in assessing a candidate's performance on the job.

Read More: Choosing the Best DevOps Engineer Assessment

Brokee's DevOps assessments provide a real-world simulation of the tasks and challenges a DevOps engineer will face in their role. They offer a more comprehensive and practical way to gauge a candidate's proficiency in using tools, implementing best practices, and collaborating effectively within a DevOps or Cloud team.

By incorporating such assessments into your evaluation process, you can make more informed decisions about the suitability of candidates for the demands of cloud engineering roles.

Can a Software Engineer Work as a Cloud Engineer?

Yes, a software engineer can transition into a cloud engineering role with the right skills and training. Software engineers already possess the foundational knowledge of systems and programming, which is valuable in cloud engineering.

By acquiring additional skills in cloud technologies, networking, and virtualization, a software engineer can successfully transition to a cloud engineer role and take advantage of the growing demand for cloud expertise.

Choose the right type of engineer for your business needs

Which Engineer is the Right One to Hire?

Selecting the right engineer for your project or business is a crucial decision that hinges on the specific needs and objectives of your endeavor. When making this choice, it's essential to consider the nature of the project.

If you require infrastructure management, cloud deployment, and system optimization, a cloud engineer may be the ideal choice, bringing expertise in cloud platforms and technologies.

Read More: 7 Signs You Should Hire a DevOps Engineer

On the other hand, if your project centers around software development, application creation, and coding, a software engineer is likely the best fit, equipped with the skills needed for software design and implementation.

By understanding your project's unique requirements and the core competencies of each engineering role, you can make an informed decision to ensure the success and efficiency of your business or project.

We recommend using skill assessment software to qualify candidates, ensuring you choose the best talent for the job.

Read More: What's the Right Ratio of DevOps to Developers?

Final Word: Software Engineers and Cloud Engineers

Both roles are in high demand in the technology industry, with similar salary averages in 2023. The transition from software engineering to cloud engineering is feasible with the right skill set.

Ultimately, the synergy between software engineers and cloud engineers enables the creation of efficient and scalable cloud-based solutions, facilitating the digital transformation of businesses in the modern technological landscape.

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FAQ

Q: What education and certification are needed to become a Cloud Engineer?

A: While a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field is beneficial, it is not always required to become a Cloud Engineer. However, obtaining relevant certifications, such as those from AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, can greatly enhance your chances of getting a job in this field.

Q: What is the career path for a Cloud Engineer?

A: The career path for a Cloud Engineer typically starts with an entry-level position, such as an intern or junior Cloud Engineer. With experience and expertise, one can progress to roles like Cloud Architect, Cloud Consultant, or even Cloud Engineer Manager.

Q: What are the responsibilities of a Cloud Engineer?

A: The responsibilities of a Cloud Engineer include designing and implementing cloud architecture, managing cloud infrastructure, ensuring security and compliance, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing performance of cloud systems.

Q: How long does it take to become a Cloud Engineer?

A: The time it takes to become a Cloud Engineer can vary depending on various factors, including your prior knowledge and experience in IT or software development. However, on average, it can take several years of dedicated learning and hands-on experience to become a proficient Cloud Engineer.

Q: How much do Software Engineers and Cloud Engineers earn?

A: The salary of Software Engineers and Cloud Engineers can vary depending on factors such as location, years of experience, and industry. However, both roles generally offer competitive salaries, and with experience and expertise, the earning potential can increase significantly.

How Much Does Hiring DevOps Cost?: Hidden Costs of Your Hiring Pipeline

Hiring is a Top Concern for CEOs

Despite recession expectations, hiring tops the list of CEOs’ internal concerns. According to the 2023 Conference Board Survey, talent ranks first among internal worries for CEOs worldwide.

Yet only about one-third of U.S. companies report that they monitor whether their hiring practices lead to good employees; few of them do so carefully, and only a minority even track cost per hire and time to hire.

Tracking Hiring Costs

Over our time in the hiring sphere, we’ve spoken to dozens of CTOs, CEOs, recruiters, tech hiring teams, and HR leaders, and we’ve found that most companies don’t have data on the amount of time and resources they spend on hiring.

When we calculate hiring costs for them, most C-suites and directors are surprised and left wondering why they haven’t tracked hiring costs better to begin with, especially when they track other spending, from sales and marketing expenses, to travel and equipment.

By tracking hiring spending, businesses are able to allocate their resources better, save on unnecessary costs, and prioritize initiatives – such as better retention and candidate qualification.

Hiring Sys Admins, DevOps, and Cloud Engineers

This is especially pertinent when it comes to high-value DevOps and Cloud system engineer hires - some of the most expensive hires in the IT world.

Great companies spend immense resources searching for talented DevOps engineers, and even more to bring them onto the team. These recruiting and sourcing costs add up quickly.

But how does a company track the amount of time and resources they put toward Hiring DevOps Engineers? Let’s take a look at our Savings Calculator.

How Much Does Hiring a DevOps Engineer Cost?

We’ve created an algorithm that calculates DevOps and Cloud hiring costs, taking into account many factors:

•The Cost per Technical Interview, based on the salary of Senior Engineers who conduct these interviews.

•The Average Cost Per Additional Interview, which is based on the salary of HR or Hiring Managers who conduct cultural fit or other additional interviews.

•The amount of time it takes to prepare for, conduct, and evaluate each interview.

•The number of candidates that are interviewed to fill each role.

The costs for the interviews are calculated based on the average salaries in the United States for the respective roles. These salaries are then converted into hourly rates to determine the interview costs.

Read More: DevOps Assessments Streamlined EclecticIQ's Hiring Process [Case Study]

The Hidden Costs of Hiring

We will explain how this process works using our standard calculations based on the median US salaries from Levels. It's important to note that each company has the flexibility to adjust these numbers based on its own pay rates and specific hiring dynamics.

For our calculations, we consider the average hourly costs for a DevOps Engineer and a Software Engineering Manager, which are conservative rates.

Typically, a senior DevOps engineer spends at least onehour discussing candidates' technical backgrounds and asking AWS DevOps questions, while an additional hour is needed from the Software Engineering Manager, hiring manager, or team to assess culture fit and role expectations.

To hire a DevOps engineer, you would likely conduct a 1-hour technical interview with a senior member of the DevOps team. This amounts to 1 hour of their average salary, or $69 on average.

Keep in mind that this cost is per candidate, and typically, anywhere from 20 to 50 candidates are interviewed before selecting a hire.

DevOps teams often waste hours of time helping with hiring that could be automated

Let's say you had a pipeline of 100 candidates, 50 decided to take the test, and 20 passed the test.

In a typical hiring process, you'd have to interview all 100 candidates. By introducing an automated test, you save $6900 (100 candidates * $69).

Plus, your senior engineers will get an extra 100 productive work hours as they don't need to spend time interviewing those candidates.

Once the technical team qualifies a candidate, there is usually a second interview with a software engineering manager, costing approximately $139 for each hour of their time.

In our scenario, 80 candidates didn't pass to the next stage, so the hiring manager won't have to spend time conducting a second interview with those candidates.

This equates to an extra 80 productive work hours for your hiring manager and $11120 in savings (80 candidates * $139).

Based on the proposed rates, when hiring a single DevOps engineer, the hiring team would save an overall $18020 ($6900+$11120) as well as 180 hours of time.

This estimation does not include expenses such as HR and recruiting fees, onboarding, and other hiring costs.

How to Save Money on DevOps Hiring

By utilizing Brokee's technical evaluations, you can eliminate the initial technical interview for every candidate, resulting in time and cost savings for your DevOps hiring.

Furthermore, Brokee's tests have a 20% passing rate, guaranteeing that all engineers who pass the test will be highly qualified for the final interview with a software engineering manager.

By filtering out 80% of candidates who fail the technical screening, you significantly reduce the chances of low-quality engineers slipping through the cracks.

This saves valuable time for software engineering managers, CTOs, and other team members who are no longer required to interview these candidates.

Interested in saving money on DevOps hiring?

Brokee has multiple DevOps, Cloud, and System engineering evaluations for popular IT systems, such as Linux, Kubernetes, and AWS.

Our tests are ‘Chat-GPT-proof’ and ‘ungoogleable’, ensuring we’ll qualify only the best talent. Get started with a free demo of Brokee and start saving money while hiring with confidence.