The Essential Skills Every DevOps Engineer Needs to Succeed in 2025

1. Cloud Proficiency (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Understanding Cloud Platforms

Proficiency in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is critical for any DevOps engineer. This includes tasks such as deploying infrastructure, managing services, and monitoring cloud environments.

Why Cloud Skills Matter

With companies shifting to the cloud, being skilled in cloud platforms is no longer optional. Engineers need hands-on experience with infrastructure-as-code, serverless applications, and cloud monitoring to ensure efficiency and scalability.

Brookee’s cloud-based DevOps assessments give engineers real-world, hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, and GCP preparing them for the tasks they’ll face on the job. Try it for free.

2. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

Mastering CI/CD Tools

CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, and GitHub Actions allow for automating code integration and deployment. Engineers should be proficient in setting up and maintaining pipelines to streamline the software delivery process.

Why CI/CD Skills Matter

CI/CD practices reduce deployment risks, accelerate feedback loops, and help deliver software updates frequently and reliably.

3. Containerization and Orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)

Building and Orchestrating Containers

With the rise of microservices and cloud-native architectures, engineers need to be skilled in Docker for containerization and Kubernetes for orchestrating and scaling these containers.

Why Containerization Skills Matter

Containers allow consistent deployment across environments, and Kubernetes automates the scaling and management of these containers, ensuring uptime and reliability.

4. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Automating Infrastructure

Using Terraform and Ansible, engineers can automate infrastructure provisioning and management. This approach ensures consistency and makes it easy to manage infrastructure at scale.

Why IaC Skills Matter

By treating infrastructure as code, you can automate deployment and ensure version control, which leads to more predictable and reliable systems.

5. Monitoring and Observability

Implementing Monitoring Tools

Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK Stack is essential for setting up monitoring and observability frameworks. Engineers need to track performance metrics and respond to incidents before they become critical.

Why Monitoring Matters

Proactive monitoring ensures system reliability and reduces downtime by identifying issues early.

6. Automation and Scripting

Automating Workflows

Knowing how to script in languages like Python, Bash, or PowerShell is crucial for automating repetitive tasks, configuring systems, and managing cloud environments.

Why Automation Matters

Automation saves time, reduces human error, and frees up engineers to focus on more strategic tasks.

7. Security (DevSecOps)

Embedding Security in DevOps

Security is now a core part of the DevOps process, known as DevSecOps. Engineers must be familiar with security practices, including vulnerability scanning, encryption, and automated security testing to safeguard infrastructure.

Why Security Skills Matter

In a world where breaches can cripple companies, embedding security into the DevOps process is crucial for both compliance and safeguarding sensitive data.

8. Soft Skills: Communication and Collaboration

Working Across Teams

Beyond technical expertise, DevOps engineers need excellent communication and collaboration skills. This ensures that operations and development teams work smoothly together to solve problems and meet objectives.

Why Soft Skills Matter

DevOps is about breaking down silos. Engineers who can communicate effectively and collaborate with cross-functional teams will thrive in complex, fast-paced environments.

Ready for DevOps Success?

In 2025, successful DevOps engineers will need a blend of technical expertise and communication skills to thrive. By mastering cloud platforms, CI/CD, automation, and security, engineers will be ready to make a significant impact from day one.

If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, consider Brokee as your secret weapon. Brokee’s DevOps assessments mirror real-world cloud environments, giving engineers and companies the hands-on experience they need to succeed.

The Best DevOps Tools to Streamline Software Development in 2025

What are DevOps Tools and Their Importance?

DevOps tools are essential components in modern software development practices, bridging the gap between development and operations teams.

These tools automate and streamline various aspects of the software delivery process, enhancing collaboration and efficiency within organizations. The importance of DevOps tools lies in their ability to accelerate deployment, improve code quality, and facilitate continuous integration and delivery.

Integrating DevOps tools allows teams to automate repetitive tasks, reduce human errors, and maintain consistency throughout the development lifecycle. By incorporating these tools, organizations can achieve faster time-to-market, increased productivity, and better overall software quality.

Read More: Essential DevOps Statistics and Trends for Hiring in 2025

Role of DevOps Tools in Improving Software Development Practices

DevOps tools serve as enablers for implementing DevOps practices effectively. These tools automate manual processes, enable version control, and enhance workflow visibility, promoting a collaborative and efficient development environment. By leveraging tools that support automation, organizations can achieve faster delivery cycles and improved software quality.

Benefits of Using DevOps Tools for Software Development

The benefits of utilizing DevOps tools in software development are manifold. These tools promote collaboration, automation, and efficiency, leading to faster delivery cycles, reduced time-to-market, and enhanced product quality. By incorporating DevOps tools into development workflows, organizations can streamline processes, eliminate manual errors, and enhance team productivity.

DevOps tools also enable organizations to adopt best practices in software development, such as continuous integration, continuous delivery, and automated testing. These practices contribute to increased code quality, faster feedback loops, and overall project success.

Key Features to Look for in DevOps Tools

When selecting DevOps tools for your organization, it's essential to consider key features that align with your specific requirements and objectives. Features such as automation capabilities, integrations with popular platforms like AWS and Azure, scalability, and flexibility are crucial for optimizing development workflows.

Configuration management tools play a vital role in managing infrastructure as code, ensuring consistency across environments, and enabling quick provisioning of resources. Additionally, collaboration features, reporting capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces are key aspects to consider when evaluating DevOps tools for your organization.

Choosing the Right DevOps Tools for Your Project

When selecting DevOps tools for a project, consider the following factors:

• Integration Capabilities: Ensure the tool integrates seamlessly with your existing technology stack and other DevOps tools.

• Scalability: Choose tools that can scale with your project as it grows.

• Community and Support: Opt for tools with active community support and comprehensive documentation.

• Ease of Use: Select tools that are user-friendly and require minimal learning curve.

• Cost: Evaluate the cost of the tool relative to your budget and the value it provides.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a DevOps Management Tool

When selecting a DevOps management tool, it's crucial to consider the following key aspects:

• Integration Capabilities: Ensure the tool integrates seamlessly with your existing technology stack, other DevOps tools, and services to maintain a cohesive workflow.

• Scalability and Flexibility: Choose a tool that can easily scale with your project’s growth and adapt to changing requirements without significant reconfiguration.

• User Community and Support: Opt for tools with an active community, comprehensive documentation, and robust support channels to aid in troubleshooting and best practices.

• Ease of Use and Learning Curve: Evaluate how user-friendly the tool is, considering the skill level of your team, and how quickly they can get up to speed.

• Cost and Licensing: Assess the total cost of ownership, including initial investment, maintenance, and potential licensing fees, to ensure it aligns with your budget and provides good value.

Read More: Hidden Costs of Your Hiring Pipeline

List of Best DevOps Tools for 2025

As we look ahead to 2025, the landscape of DevOps tools continues to evolve, offering a plethora of options to streamline development processes and enhance productivity.

Exploring Automation in DevOps Tools

Automation plays a pivotal role in DevOps practices, allowing teams to streamline workflows, reduce manual errors, and accelerate software delivery. Automation tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, and Bamboo enable teams to automate build, test, and deployment processes, enhancing efficiency and reliability.

By automating repetitive tasks, teams can free up resources, focus on high-impact activities, and iterate quickly on software updates. Automation tools also support continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices, ensuring that code changes are tested, integrated, and deployed in a timely manner.

CI/CD Automation Tools

Bamboo helps practice continuous delivery by tying automated builds, tests, and releases into a single workflow. Features include multi-stage build plans, triggers for starting builds upon commits, parallel automated tests, and tight integration with Jira and Bitbucket.

Jenkins is essential for automating CI/CD pipelines, building, testing, and deploying code changes efficiently. Its flexibility and extensive plugin library make it adaptable to diverse development environments, supporting seamless automation and delivery.

CodeFresh is a Kubernetes-native CI/CD platform that streamlines the building, testing, and deployment of applications. It offers advanced features like built-in GitOps, support for multiple pipelines, and robust integration with popular DevOps tools. CodeFresh excels in managing microservices and complex workflows, making it ideal for cloud-native environments.

ArgoCD is a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes. It automates the deployment of desired application states from a Git repository, ensuring consistency and reliability. ArgoCD supports multiple deployment strategies, integrates seamlessly with other Kubernetes tools, and provides a rich UI for managing application deployments and rollbacks.

Configuration Management in DevOps Tools

Ansible stands out for its simplicity and versatility in automating repetitive tasks, provisioning infrastructure, and managing configurations. Its agentless architecture, using SSH for communication, and declarative language make it accessible for both beginners and seasoned professionals. Ansible's extensive library of pre-built modules supports diverse environments, enabling efficient, scalable, and rapid deployment of applications and services while minimizing manual errors and enhancing security.

Chef automates server provisioning, configuration, and maintenance, enhancing efficiency and consistency across infrastructure. Its integration with cloud providers and containerization technologies makes it adaptable to evolving tech landscapes. It features “cookbooks” for infrastructure coding, integration with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP, and configuration as code.

Puppet automates and simplifies critical manual tasks by managing and extracting configuration details across various operating systems and platforms, helping scale and maintain servers efficiently.

Version Control Tools

GitHub is one of the largest and most advanced development platforms globally, enabling millions of developers and companies to build, ship, and maintain their software. Its key features include collaborative coding, automation for CI/CD, enhanced security for enterprise customers, and project management capabilities.

GitLab is an all-in-one DevOps tool for rapid software delivery, supporting tasks from planning to SCM, delivery, monitoring, and security. It features a single interface for project management, CI/CD for automation, and built-in functionality for automated security, code quality, and vulnerability management.

Bitbucket is popular with over 10 million registered users, offering a platform for hosting code and beyond. It enables teams to plan projects, collaborate, test, and deploy from a single interface. Notable features are tight integration with Jira and Trello, built-in CI/CD, efficient pull requests and code reviews, and robust cloud security with IP whitelisting and two-step verification.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Terraform brings consistency, version control, and automation to infrastructure operations, reducing manual errors and streamlining DevOps workflows. Its ability to define and deploy infrastructure as code ensures efficient and reliable application deployment.

Pulumi allows you to write Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using familiar programming languages like Python, Go, and JavaScript. It offers flexibility and ease of use, especially for developers already familiar with these languages. Pulumi integrates seamlessly with existing development workflows and tools, making it ideal for software development teams adopting IaC practices.

Monitoring and Logging Tools in DevOps

Prometheus is renowned for its robust metric collection and analysis capabilities, crucial for dynamic scaling and cloud-native environments. Its open-source nature and active community support make it an adaptable solution for diverse infrastructure needs, providing visibility into containerized and microservices architectures.

Grafana is a powerful open-source platform for monitoring and observability, offering rich visualizations and dashboards. It integrates seamlessly with various data sources, including Prometheus, Elasticsearch, and InfluxDB, providing a unified view of metrics and logs for better analysis and alerting.

ELK (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) ELK is essential for effective log management, real-time data indexing, and visualization. Elasticsearch’s scalability, combined with Logstash’s data processing and Kibana’s user-friendly interface, offers comprehensive insights, enabling quick problem resolution and proactive monitoring.

EFK (Elasticsearch, Fluentd, Kibana) is a robust logging solution that enables efficient log collection, storage, and visualization. Fluentd aggregates logs from various sources, Elasticsearch indexes and stores them, and Kibana provides an intuitive interface for searching and visualizing log data, enhancing troubleshooting and monitoring.

SignalFx excels in real-time monitoring and observability, allowing organizations to proactively detect anomalies and trace issues across microservices. Its advanced alerting and incident response capabilities ensure high availability and optimal resource utilization, addressing performance issues before they impact end-users.

Raygun focuses on application performance monitoring and error tracking. It provides actionable insights into application errors and performance bottlenecks, enabling proactive issue resolution and enhancing user satisfaction through improved software quality.

Security DevOps Tools

Splunk is used for monitoring and exploring SaaS and on-premises infrastructure. Features include monitoring across physical, virtual, and cloud infrastructures, modernizing applications for better customer experiences, predictive alerting and auto-remediation with AIOps and machine learning, and improved MTTA with automated incident response.

Phantom Phantom enhances security automation and incident response, reducing response times and increasing consistency in incident handling. It automates security workflows, from threat detection to risk mitigation, freeing up resources from repetitive tasks.

Security features offered by tools like SonarQube, Fortify, and Checkmarx are critical for protecting applications from vulnerabilities, ensuring code quality, and adhering to security best practices. By integrating security tools into the development pipeline, organizations can identify and remediate security threats early in the software development lifecycle.

Container Management Tools

Docker is a lightweight tool designed to simplify and accelerate various workflows in the SDLC with an integrated approach. Docker container images include everything needed to run an application, offering standardized packaging, container runtime for multiple OSs, collaborative development, and Docker Hub for exploring millions of images.

Kubernetes is an open-source tool for automating the deployment and management of containerized applications. Its features include automated rollouts and rollbacks, service delivery and load balancing, storage orchestration, and self-healing capabilities.

Read More: We've Added New Tests: Kubernetes and GPC Tests

Mesos is a tool for managing computer clusters, functioning as a distributed systems kernel for resource management across datacenter and cloud environments. It supports launching containers with Docker and AppC images, running cloud-native and legacy applications in the same cluster, and scaling to tens of thousands of nodes.

Nomad is a flexible, easy-to-use container orchestration tool that simplifies the deployment and management of containerized and non-containerized applications. It supports diverse workloads, offers native integrations with Consul and Vault, and provides a single, consistent workflow for deploying applications across multiple datacenters and cloud environments.

Build Tools

Maven is a pivotal tool for managing project dependencies, building, and lifecycle management in Java-based development environments. It simplifies complex build processes by streamlining compilation, testing, packaging, and distribution. Maven ensures consistent and reproducible builds, making it easier for development teams to collaborate efficiently and deliver high-quality software.

Gradle Build Tool is the most popular build tool for open source JVM projects on GitHub. Many popular projects, including Spring Boot, have migrated from Maven to Gradle.

Application Lifecycle Management

Jira is a well-known platform for tracking issues and managing projects, available as both a SaaS and on-premises solution. It allows for agile software development with drag-and-drop interface for creating automation rules.

Cloud Computing and Storage (AWS)

AWS offers a robust set of tools for implementing DevOps practices, focusing on continuous integration, deployment, and cloud solutions. Here are the top AWS DevOps tools:

AWS Cloud Development Kit: An open-source tool for modeling and provisioning cloud application resources.

AWS CodePipeline: Continuously delivers code, providing a visual representation of the entire delivery process.

AWS CodeCommit: Allows developers to create and clone repositories locally, facilitating efficient code management.

AWS CodeBuild: A cloud-based integration service that scales builds, runs tests, and prepares software packages for deployment, automating various processes.

AWS Device Farm: Ensures the quality of web and mobile apps by testing across different devices and AWS cloud desktop versions.

AWS CodeStar: Provides a user-friendly interface for building, developing, and deploying applications in AWS.

Other notable AWS microservices include AWS Lambda, Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service, AWS Fargate, Amazon Elastic Container Service, Amazon CloudWatch, AWS X-Ray, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk. These tools support various DevOps tasks and enhance cloud solutions.

Read More: AWS DevOps Interview Questions and Answers for 2025

Best Test Orchestration Tools

Katalon TestOps is an orchestration platform for automated testing that unites test management, planning, execution, and quality analytics. TestOps connects the team with feedback loops that are instant, actionable, and insightful for both QA, product, and DevOps teams.

Application Performance Monitoring Tools

Dynatrace covers application performance, digital experience, business analytics, AIOps, and infrastructure monitoring. Key features are automated orchestration with open APIs, extensive cloud support, automatic quality checks and KPIs, and AI-driven problem detection and resolution.

AppDynamics provides real-time insights into application performance, monitoring all transactions flowing through applications. Features include intelligent agents, analytics-driven performance problem solving, automatic performance normalization, and system-wide data recording.

Deployment & Server Monitoring Tools

Datadog is a SaaS-based tool for server and app monitoring in hybrid cloud environments, including Docker containers. Its features include seamless aggregation of metrics and events across the DevOps stack, end-to-end user experience visibility, prioritization of business and engineering decisions with user metrics, and visibility across teams.

Sensu is an open-source tool for monitoring cloud environments, easily deployable through Puppet and Chef. Features include the Sensu Observability Pipeline for integrated, secure, and scalable monitoring, declarative configurations, and a service-based approach to automating workflows.

Test Automation Tools

Test.ai is an AI-powered automation testing tool that builds tests without coding, accelerates testing to match DevOps speed, scales testing across platforms, and maintains tests automatically to improve quality.

Ranorex offers an all-in-one solution for automated testing across browsers and devices, with tools included in a single license, support for real devices or simulators, and integration with CI servers and issue tracking tools.

Selenium automates web applications for testing with components like WebDriver for browser-based regression automation, IDE for simple record-and-playback, and Grid for scaling tests across multiple machines and environments.

Artifact Management Tools

Sonatype Nexus efficiently distributes parts and containers to developers as a single source of truth for all components, binaries, and build artifacts. Features include universal support for popular build tools and flexibility to empower development teams.

JFrog Artifactory serves as a single source of truth for container images, packages, and Helm charts, with features like active/active clustering, multi-site replication, tool stack integration, and pipeline automation via powerful REST APIs.

CloudRepo manages and shares private Maven and Python repositories, ensuring high availability with multi-server storage, client access control, and integration with major CI tools.

AI and Codeless Test Automation Tools

AccelQ leads in codeless test automation, allowing testers to develop test logic without programming syntax concerns. It supports a design-first approach, handles dynamic controls, and supports advanced interactions for robust test development.

QuerySurge is a continuous data testing solution with a robust API, seamless DevOps pipeline integration, quick data verification, transformation rule validation, and detailed data intelligence and analytics.

Appvance is an AI and ML-powered autonomous testing platform that performs end-to-end testing with self-healing scripts, AI-generated tests, and continuous testing capabilities.

Testim.io is an AI-based UI testing tool that integrates with Saucelabs, Jira, and GitHub, eliminates flaky tests, pinpoints root causes of bugs, and efficiently expands testing operations with control, management, and insights.

Read More: A Guide to AI Tools in DevOps and Cloud Hiring

DevOps Training Tools

Brokee offers hands-on cloud labs designed to provide real-world DevOps training experiences. Unlike traditional learning platforms that focus on theoretical knowledge, Brokee emphasizes practical skills through interactive labs. These labs simulate real-world scenarios, allowing engineers to tackle challenges they would face in their daily work. This makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned professionals looking to stay ahead in the industry.

In the rapidly evolving field of DevOps, continuous learning and hands-on practice are crucial for keeping up with the latest technologies and methodologies.

Final Word: Explore the Capabilities of Top DevOps Tools

As we move into 2025, the landscape of DevOps tools continues to evolve and expand, offering more sophisticated and integrated solutions to streamline the software development process. 

The future of DevOps tools lies in greater automation, more seamless integrations, and enhanced capabilities that address the complexities of modern software development. 

Stay ahead of the curve by continually exploring and adopting the latest DevOps tools, thereby expanding and refining your arsenal to meet the demands of modern software development.

Read More: Now Providing DevOps Tests for All Major Cloud Providers

7 Signs You Need to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2025

Discover the top 7 signs that indicate your business needs to hire a DevOps engineer. Plus, we'll explore why DevOps is crucial for businesses seeking to improve their development processes and enhance productivity in 2025.

What is DevOps and Why is it Important?

A modern approach to software development, DevOps combines development and operations to streamline the software delivery process.

Definition of DevOps

DevOps, a combination of "development" and "operations," refers to a set of practices, principles, and cultural philosophies aimed at improving collaboration and communication between software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) teams.

The primary goal of DevOps is to streamline the software delivery lifecycle, from initial development through testing, deployment, and maintenance, fostering a more efficient and collaborative approach to delivering high-quality software at a faster pace.

A DevOps approach emphasizes automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery, and a culture of shared responsibility, enabling organizations to respond rapidly to changing business requirements and deliver value to end-users more effectively.

Why You Need DevOps Engineers

Signs That Indicate You Need to Hire a DevOps Team

1. Deployment Failures and Slow Time-to-Market:

Frequent deployment failures coupled with a slow time-to-market can be indicative of underlying inefficiencies in the development and deployment pipeline. Delays in bringing products or features to market can significantly impact your competitiveness. A DevOps engineer can address this by implementing robust CI/CD pipelines, ensuring quicker and more reliable releases.

2. Ineffective Collaboration and Low Developer Productivity:

Issues in collaboration between development and operations teams can lead to low developer productivity. A DevOps engineer excels in fostering collaboration, breaking down silos, and implementing automation to enhance overall productivity.

3. Manual and Repetitive Processes

If your organization relies heavily on manual and repetitive processes for tasks like configuration management, provisioning, and scaling, a DevOps engineer can automate these processes, saving time and reducing the risk of human error.

4. High Infrastructure Costs

Rising infrastructure costs without a clear understanding of resource utilization may signal the need for a DevOps engineer. These professionals can optimize infrastructure, implement cloud solutions, and leverage containerization technologies to ensure efficient resource allocation.

5. Lack of Monitoring and Logging

Insufficient monitoring and logging can lead to delayed identification and resolution of issues, affecting system reliability. A DevOps engineer can implement robust monitoring and logging solutions to proactively detect and address potential problems.

6. Security Concerns

Security is a critical aspect of any IT infrastructure. If your organization is grappling with security vulnerabilities or lacks a comprehensive security strategy, a DevOps engineer can integrate security measures into the development and deployment processes, ensuring a more secure and resilient system.

7. Scalability Challenges with Increasing Workloads:

As your business grows, scalability challenges may arise. A DevOps engineer is well-equipped to design scalable architectures, implement auto-scaling solutions, and ensure your systems can handle increased workloads seamlessly.

DevOps Versus Traditional Software Development

The evolution of development and operations teams in DevOps marks a significant departure from traditional software development methods. DevOps culture emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership, leading to a more cohesive and efficient development process.

When it comes to the difference between roles, DevOps engineers focus on the development and maintenance of software release systems, collaboration with the software development team, aligning with industry standards, and employing DevOps tools.

In contrast, software engineers focus on developing applications and solutions that operate on different operating systems, catering to specific user needs.

Read More: Cloud Engineer vs Software Engineer

The Role of a Full-Time DevOps Engineer

A DevOps engineer plays a pivotal role in driving the successful implementation of DevOps practices within an organization. Their key responsibilities include promoting collaboration between development and operations teams, automating processes to streamline product delivery, and ensuring the continuous integration and deployment of software.

Organizations need DevOps engineers to harness the full potential of DevOps principles. With their expertise in automation, deployment, and infrastructure management, a dedicated DevOps engineer can transform a conventional development team into a highly efficient and productive unit. 

How many DevOps engineers do you need for your team? While there's not an official number, the ideal Developer to DevOps engineer ratio is 5:1, and in large software organizations, like Google, the ratio is 6:1.

The Benefits of DevOps for Your Business

Benefits of DevOps

Employing a DevOps engineer or team offers numerous benefits, including:

• Improved deployment frequency

• Faster time to market

• Lower failure rate of new releases

• Shortened lead time between fixes

• Enhanced developer productivity

• Contribution to delivering more reliable and customer-friendly software

• Positive shift in customer satisfaction and overall product quality

Additionally, for most modern businesses that have moved to the cloud – such as GPC, AWS, or Azure-- DevOps engineers play a crucial role in managing and optimizing cloud environments. Their expertise extends to various aspects of cloud infrastructure and services, such as FinOps, automation, CI/CD, and more, and they contribute significantly to the effective implementation of DevOps practices in the cloud.

These advantages make having a DevOps engineer or team essential for organizations aiming to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Importance for Modern Businesses

DevOps is rapidly transitioning from a specialized approach to a mainstream strategy. Its adoption soared from 33% of companies in 2017 to an estimated 80% in 2024, mirroring the broader shift towards cloud computing.

The importance of DevOps in modern businesses cannot be overstated. It is instrumental in creating a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility among development and operations teams. This approach fosters a more efficient and effective workflow, leading to faster product development and deployment.

Read More: Essential DevOps Statistics and Trends for Hiring in 2025

Challenges of DevOps Implementation

Identifying the challenges of DevOps adoption is crucial for businesses looking to implement this methodology successfully. Common obstacles include resistance to change, cultural barriers within the organization, the cost of hiring DevOps engineers, and the complexity of integrating new tools and processes into existing workflows.

To overcome obstacles in implementing DevOps, organizations need to focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and openness to change. Encouraging transparency and communication across teams, providing adequate training and resources, and gradually introducing DevOps practices can help mitigate these challenges.

Another difficulty is hiring high-quality DevOps engineers who can do this complicated and highly technical work. A best practice for hiring DevOps engineers is to use DevOps assessments to ensure you select high-caliber candidates.

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

Many Businesses are Adopting Cloud and DevOps Processes

Future of DevOps

The future of DevOps is significant, especially as businesses increasingly rely on software development to drive innovation and competitiveness. 

By 2025, over 85% of organizations are expected to adopt a cloud computing strategy, aligning closely with the integration of DevOps practices. The need to hire a DevOps engineer is more pronounced than ever, given the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing demand for scalable and reliable software solutions.

Embracing DevOps is not just an option; it is a necessity for organizations striving to stay relevant and agile in a constantly evolving marketplace.

The Best Tech Recruitment Platforms & Technical Screening Tools in 2025

In this rapidly evolving digital era, hiring top technical talent has become a major challenge, for both startups and enterprises. We explored the top tech recruitment platforms, tools, and software solutions that can help your company source, screen, and eventually hire the best talent in 2025.

Why is Technical Recruitment a Significant Challenge for Many Companies?

Technical recruitment poses a unique challenge for recruiters and employers. Among various processes in the corporate world, tech recruitment introduces one of the toughest tasks to fulfill, especially when there's an abundance of job seekers with more new technologies evolving day by day.

Understanding the Unique Issues for Technical Recruiters

There are several challenges in tech recruitment, including sourcing candidates with the right competency in advanced technologies, understanding specific job requirements like DevOps engineering, translating tech jargon into understandable information for non-tech recruiters, proper technical assessment and testing, and offering competitive salary packages.

Common IT recruitment problems include:

• Difficult and expensive to extend search beyond traditional platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed.

• Deciding how much to spend on subscription packages and platforms.

• Properly assessing candidates' skills.

• Understanding and minimizing the costs of your hiring pipeline.

How Can Tech Recruitment Tools Give a Competitive Edge in Hiring?

Tech recruitment tools equip employers with data-driven insights, automation, and AI-powered features that can significantly enhance their ability to source, screen, interview, and hire top tech talent.

What are the top 10 Tech Recruitment Platforms in 2025?

The best tech tools might vary based on the needs of the company or hiring team, however, we've put together our top picks for recruiting technology and tools for 2025. 

How Did We Choose Our "Top Picks"?

What constitutes the 'best' recruitment tool or platform? Prime factors we considered included user-friendly interfaces, cost-effectiveness, AI-driven candidate matching, advanced candidate sourcing features, and a robust tech stack. Additionally, great customer service, reasonable pricing, and the reviews and reputations of the platforms came into play as well.

Each platform has its pros and cons based on various considerations like the type of tech talent you are sourcing, ease of integration with other tools, and features specific to your needs. However, we felt this guide would be especially helpful as it contains the top picks from technical experts who work with many of these tools and technologies every day.

Without further ado, let's get to the rankings!

Applicant Tracking Systems

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is the backbone of any recruitment operation. It serves as a centralized hub for managing candidates and streamlining recruiting activities. In 2025, ATS tools have evolved to not only store candidate data but also enhance productivity by automating various aspects of the hiring process.

SmartRecruiters

• Pros:

• Offers a wide range of features, including automation, analytics, and customizable job postings.

  1. Can streamline the hiring process, saving time and reducing manual effort.

  2. Provides powerful analytics for recruitment efforts.

• Cons:

• Design could have a better user experience with improved navigation.

  1. Lacks some customization features that users want.

  2. It's missing some common integrations.

• Pricing: The specific pricing information for SmartRecruiters is not available.

Lever

• Pros:

• Offers features such as interview scheduling, candidate scoring, and analytics.

  1. Can simplify the hiring process and save time when used effectively.

• Cons:

• Customer support can be lacking at times.

  1. Setup can take a while, and tools have a bit of a learning curve.

  2. Many reviewers mentioned wanting more features.

• Pricing: Pricing for Lever ranges from around $3,500 to $140,000 per year, depending on the number of employees.

iCIMS

• Pros:

• Offers a wide range of features, including automation, analytics, and customizable job postings.

  1. Can streamline the hiring process, saving time and reducing manual effort.

  2. Provides powerful analytics for recruitment efforts.

• Cons:

• The reporting functions can be limited to standard reports, and customization can be challenging

  1. Search capabilities could be improved.

  2. Interface design could be improved for better user experience.

• Pricing: iCIMS pricing ranges from $6,000 per year for 51 to 100 employees to $140,000 per year for 5,000+ employees. They also charge "connector fees" for 3rd party integration partners.

Our Top Pick: Greenhouse Software

• Pros:

• Offers a comprehensive set of features for recruitment, including interview scheduling, candidate scoring, and analytics.

  1. Provides powerful analytics and customizable job postings.

  2. Can simplify the hiring process and save time when used effectively.

• Cons:

• Automated screening may eliminate good candidates, as the system sticks within set boundaries.

  1. May lack desired one-on-one contact with applicants, potentially affecting the candidate experience.

  2. Might require a lengthy implementation, which can be a potential disadvantage.

• Pricing: Pricing ranges from around $6,000 to $25,000 per year for a couple of dozen employees to over $100,000 per year for larger enterprises.

Why it's our top pick: Among the ATS, Greenhouse Software emerges as a top contender. With a wide array of features, including interview scheduling, candidate scoring, and robust analytics, Greenhouse offers a comprehensive recruitment solution. Additionally, it provides customizable job postings and has received a great G2 rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, indicating user satisfaction.

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CRM Tools

In this section, we explore CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platforms, keeping in mind how well they work for technical recruiters. We've highlighted their pros, cons, and pricing to help you make an informed choice for streamlining your hiring process.

Freshsales

• Pros: Affordable pricing, feature-rich CRM, extensive customization.

• Cons: Limited marketing automation, integration challenges, advanced customization learning curve, limited support for large teams.

• Pricing: Freshsales starts at $15/user/month.

Recruiterflow

• Pros: Highly customizable, responsive customer support, economical for small businesses, user-friendly.

• Cons: Limited marketing automation, integration challenges, and limited customization for large teams.

• Pricing: Recruiterflow ranges from $85/user/month to $96/user per year, with custom enterprise plans available.

Teamtailor (Our Pick for Best Recruitment Software for Startups!)

• Pros: Cost-effective, user-friendly, seamless social media integration.

• Cons: Varied quality in customer support, limited analytics, uneditable connect option.

• Pricing: Teamtailor starts at $200 per month.

Our Top Pick Overall: Zoho

• Pros: Efficient recruitment management, broad candidate engagement, robust sourcing, powerful analytics.

• Cons: Limited career site functionality, lack of full-time support, overwhelming features, limited free version.

• Pricing: Starts at approximately $17 to $52/user/month billed annually for small to mid-sized enterprises.

Why it's our top pick: While opinions may vary depending on individual preferences and specific needs, Zoho's combination of features, pricing, and user satisfaction ratings makes it a solid choice for organizations looking to enhance their recruitment efforts through CRM software. 

---

AI Screening Tools - Candidate Background Checking Software

If you've ever had to sift through a mountain of CVs, you know how daunting the task can be. Thankfully, candidate screening software has emerged as a powerful tool to streamline the hiring process. These digital solutions leverage AI and automation to save time, verify backgrounds, and identify the best-fit candidates for technical roles. Let's take a closer look at some popular options:

CERTN:

• Pros: Offers comprehensive background checks and verification services.

• Cons: Some users have complained about background checks taking a long time.

• Pricing: Prices for CERTN range greatly, depending on the type of verification check. 

Sterling:

• Pros: Utilizes end-to-end automation for faster criminal background checks, seamless API integration, and a Quick Search tool.

• Cons: Some users have reported concerns about the "consider" status and discrepancies in background checks.

• Pricing: Sterling offers a range of pricing options, with background checks ranging from $3.99 for single reports to $59.95 for the Preferred Check.

Veremark:

• Pros: Offers a wide range of online background checks, convenient data collection through an app, and instant generation of professional reports.

• Cons: Pricing details are not openly shared, and it's primarily geared towards small businesses.

• Pricing: Veremark charges on a per candidate per check basis, pricing beyond this is unknown.

Our Top Pick: Checkr

• Pros: Provides easy candidate verification, efficient management of screenings, and education verification.

• Cons: Some users find pricing to be on the higher side.

• Pricing: Ranges from $29 to $79 per background check.

Why it's our top pick: We prefer Checkr over the others for its fast turnaround times, better user experience, and more pre-built integrations. This is backed up by a 4.5-star rating on G2.

---

Candidate Sourcing Tools

In the quest to find the perfect candidate, digital tools have become indispensable for sourcing talent. The ideal candidate might not be actively job-hunting, but with the right approach, you can attract their attention. Recruiters now leverage multiple social media platforms to discover potential hires, with an average of 7.8 different sites in use.

Additionally, there are specialized sourcing platforms designed to help Talent Acquisition (TA) teams quickly identify qualified candidates. Here are some of our top picks:

TalentReef: (Our Pick for Best Enterprise Hiring Solution!)

• Pros: Mobile-friendly features, numerous time-saving automations, and is designed for sourcing hourly workers.
  Cons: Pricing details are not transparent and may not be best for hiring salaried workers.

• Pricing: TalentReef pricing information is available only on inquiry.

Entelo:

• Pros: It has a powerful candidate database search engine, with integrated features for candidate communication.

• Cons: Some customers have noticed that it's not highly efficient at pulling profiles from social media. Candidate information may not always be up to date.
  Pricing: Entelo ranges from $149 per month to $499 and beyond for custom pricing.

Our Top Pick: Fetcher

• Pros: It has a candidate curation feature, automated outreach, and excellent candidate search filters.
  Cons: Users don't like the inability to edit contact cards after adding them to searches.

• Pricing: Ranges from $149/user/mo to $549/user/mo depending on company size.

Why it's our top pick: If you prioritize candidate curation and automated outreach, Fetcher is a strong option. It offers robust search filters and automation features. Ultimately, the best candidate sourcing software for your organization should align with your specific requirements and provide the features and pricing that meet your needs.

Note: Don't forget about developer forums and hubs to source talent as well! For example, StackOverflow, Github, various LinkedIn groups, and even dedicated Subreddits, can be great places to get in touch with talented technical workers.

---

Candidate Technical Prescreening & Coding Interviews

How can a recruiter tell if a candidate has technical knowledge? It's easy to write "coding experience" on a resume if you don't need to back it up with proof. This is why it's essential to use technical prescreening tools and coding tests that provide a gamut of coding tests for various features such as plagiarism checkers, tests for specific languages, and applicant screening.

Most of the platforms we write about in this section use live coding, multiple choice, or short answer tests -- these are great for qualifying junior engineers, but keep in mind they may not be sufficient for advanced IT roles. For Mid to Senior level roles, it's essential to use actual skills assessments, which we will cover in the next section - Best Technical Assessment Platforms.

TestGorilla: Automation for Applicant Screening

• Pros:

• Good accuracy to screen applicants in bulk.

  1. Easy to Use.

  2. Ability to customize assessments.

• Cons:

• Unresponsive customer service.

  1. Reviewers desire more integration with other systems.

  2. Tests are not practical (mainly theoretical).

• Pricing: Ranges from free trial to $1150 per month.

Imocha: Live Code Platform

• Pros:

• The Live Coding Interview feature allows tech hiring managers to interact and assess coding skills – in a completely language-agnostic manner.  

  1. They offer a free trial.

• Cons:

• Their pricing is not transparent.

  1. Difficult for non-technical employees to understand results.

  2. Not the best user-interface

• Pricing:

•  They offer several plans but do not show the price.

CoderPad: Technical Prescreening and Interview Platform 

• Pros:

• Provides a technical interview platform that can be used for technical screening.

  1. Quick and accurate assessment of candidate skills.

  2. Simple to use.

  3. Free basic account.

• Cons:

• The practice environment is not guarded.

  1. Reviewers mention the clunky whiteboard feature.

• Pricing:

• Team accounts start at $300/month.

Coderbyte: Code Challenge Site

• Pros:

• Interactive audio and video online environment.

  1. Plagiarism detection.

  2. Easy to set up.

• Cons:

•  They cannot be integrated into most common ATS.

  1. Poor user interface UI/UX.

  2. Candidate emails often go to spam.

• Pricing: Starts at $199 a month

Our Top Pick: Codility - Whiteboarding Tests

• Pros

• CodeLive tool lets you see problem-solve in real-time with live whiteboarding interviews.

  1. Tools to compare candidates' results.

  2. Good user interface.

• Cons

• Pricing is not transparent.

  1. Users say that result reports could be improved and better written in layman's terms.

  2. Doesn't test the candidates' use of frameworks or libraries, only math concepts.

• Pricing: Hidden Pricing (according to Select Hub, plans start from $5000).

Why it's our top pick: While pricing is a bit high for this one, when it comes to high quality tests and screening, Codility does a great job. It is rated high for its ease of setup as well as its helpful support. With high ratings from both recruiters and engineers on Capterra and G2, it's a great testing platform to add to your toolkit.

---

Best Technical Assessment Platforms

For advanced technical roles, such as DevOps, System Engineers, and Senior-level positions, code assessments work well for ensuring candidates have the skills to do their daily work.

These skills aren't easily measured through multiple choice tests or basic question-and-answer interviews, instead, live assessments are needed to make sure only genuinely talented engineers make it to the next rounds.

When looking for the best technical assessment platform, double-check with your technical team to make sure the assessments reflect the type of work the candidates will be doing.

Read more: We Transformed Flatworld's DevOps Hiring Process

HackerRank: Smart Interviews

• Pros:

• Great tests for basic coding skills, as well as practice for coders to improve.

  1. Some assessments can be customized.

  2. Large variety of tests and live coding assessments.

• Cons:

• Tests don't reflect the work that engineers will do, as they are more similar to a coding puzzle.

  1. Candidates mention confusing coding interfaces and poorly worded questions that make exams difficult and frustrating.

  2. This platform can be polarizing, with many developers saying they don't like Hackerrank tests during the interview process.

• Pricing: Pricing ranges from $100 to $749 per month, depending on the number of users and tests.

CodeSignal: General Coding Assessments

• Pros:

• Precision, efficiency, and a level playing field to the interview process.

  1. Real-time feedback for candidates.

• Cons:

• Inability to replace human nuances in the interview process.

  1. Lack of live interview functionality and small code editors

  2. Many candidates report not enjoying tests or feeling it tested on useful, daily skills.

• Pricing: Pricing is not transparent.

DevSkiller: Live Coding Assessments

• Pros:

• Users compliment the helpful customer support.

  1. It has an easy-to-use interface.

  2. There are a large number of pre-defined tests that get frequent updates.

• Cons:

• The Candidature management doesn't work well when used on a large number of candidates.

  1. Some candidates have issues loading the tests and operating the coding challenge console.

  2. Parts of the tests aren't fully automated.

• Pricing: Ranges from $300 to $5000 per month (with candidate management). 

Our Top Pick: Brokee - DevOps Assessments

• Pros:

• AI-generated results that are easy for non-technical professionals to understand.

  1. Innovative live, broken environments test skills that are relevant for day-to-day work for system engineers.

  2. Easy recording and playback of candidates' test taking.

• Cons:

• For now, the testing library is limited to DevOps roles, such as DevSecOps, Cloud Engineers, and System Engineers.

  1. There is no interview feature, it currently only offers technical assessments.

  2. Tests currently can't be customized.

• Pricing: Brokee is priced at $0 to $99 per month.

Why it's our Top Pick: Brokee is the newest assessment company, and while it may not have as many tests as other players on the market, it is our top pick because of the high quality of the assessments.

It was created by experienced DevOps, for DevOps who knew they could make better tests than what is currently out there. Because the company is new, they provide personal customer service, free trials, and even demos with the Founder. Try it out for free! 

Read More: DevOps Assessments Streamlined EclecticIQ's Hiring Process

Making the Decision: Choosing the Right Tech Talent Recruiting Platforms

In the vast talent pool, sourcing the best tech talent is like locating a needle in the haystack. The right recruitment software can drive this process with exceptional precision.

Using Tools and Software for Advanced Talent Sourcing

Certain platforms leverage data analytics to vet resumes and process applications quickly and effectively. With these recruitment software solutions, managers can find resourceful profiles in the vast database by filtering multiple attributes related to job postings and candidates.

Screening candidates: AI vs. traditional methods

AI has revolutionized the candidate screening process in tech hiring. Tools powered with AI like Hootsuite, Jasper.ai, or Otter.ai can compare thousands of resumes, eliminating the need for manual shortlisting. They’re cost-effective, efficient, and less prone to human error than traditional methods. 

Integrations with ATS and Other Recruitment Software

Most recruitment platforms can integrate with widely used ATS systems, thus smoothing the recruitment process. Platforms like Regie.ai, SSO, or Nationwide Corp even offer single sign-on (SSO) capabilities to ease user management. Integrations should be a major aspect to keep in mind when it comes to choosing any tool or platform.

Make Technical Recruiting Easier

We hope this guide will be a helpful resource in guiding you toward the best recruiting tools and technologies for your company and team. The decision to implement new technologies can be tough, but with the right tools in your arsenal, you'll be on your way to recruiting and hiring with more ease than ever.

How We Reduced Our Google Cloud Bill by 65%

Google Cloud Cost Reduction

Introduction

No matter if you are running a startup or working at a big corporation, keeping infrastructure costs under control is always a good practice. But it’s especially important for startups to extend their runway. This was our goal.

We just got a bill from Google Cloud for the month of November and are happy to see that we reduced our costs by ~65%, from $687/month to $247/month.

Most of our infrastructure is running on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), so most savings tips are related to that. This is one of those situations on how to optimize at a small scale, but most of the things can be applied to big-scale setups as well.

TLDR

Here’s what we did, sorted from the biggest impact to the least amount of savings:

• Almost got rid of stable on-demand instances by moving part of the setup to spot instances and reducing the amount of time stable nodes have to be running to the bare minimum.

• Consolidated dev and prod environments

• Optimized logging

• Optimized workload scheduling

Some of these steps are interrelated, but they have a specific impact on your cloud bill. Let’s dive in.

Stable Instances

The biggest impact on our cloud costs was running stable servers. We needed them for several purposes:

• some services didn’t have a highly available (HA) setup (multiple instances of the same service)

• some of our skills assessments are running inside a single Kubernetes pod and we can’t allow pod restarts or the progress of the test will be lost

• we weren’t sure if all of our backend services could handle a shutdown gracefully in case of a node restart

For services that didn’t have a HA setup, we had the option to explore HA setup were possible (this often requires installing additional infrastructure components, especially for stateful applications, which in turn drives infrastructure costs up); migrating the service to a managed solution (e.g. offload Postgres setup to Google Cloud instead of managing it ourselves); accept that service may be down for 1-2 minutes a day if it’s not critical for the user experience.

For instance, we are running a small Postgres instance on Google Cloud and the load on this instance is very small. So, when some other backend component needs Postgres, we create a new database on the same instance instead of spinning up another instance on Google Cloud or running a Postgres pod on our Kubernetes cluster.

I know this approach is not for everyone, but it works for us as several Postgres databases all have a very light load. And remember, it’s not only about cost savings, this also allows us not to think about node restarts or basic database management.

At the same time, we are running a single instance of Grafana (monitoring tool). It’s not a big deal if it goes down during node restart as it is our internal tool and we can wait a few minutes before it comes back to life if we need to check some dashboards. A similar approach to the ArgoCD server that handles our deployments - it doesn’t have to be up all the time.

High Availability Setup

Here’s what we did for HA of our services on Kubernetes to be able to get rid of stable nodes, this can be applied to the majority of services:

• created multiple replicas of our services (at least 2), so if one pod goes down, another one can serve traffic

• configured pod anti-affinity based on the node name, so our service replicas are always running on different nodes:

affinity:
  podAntiAffinity:
    requiredDuringSchedulingIgnoredDuringExecution:
    - labelSelector:
        matchExpressions:
        - key: app.kubernetes.io/name
          operator: In
          values:
          - pgbouncer
      topologyKey: kubernetes.io/hostname

• added PodDistributionBudget with a minimum of 1 available pod (for services with 2 replicas). This doesn’t guarantee protection, but as we have automated node upgrades enabled, it can prevent GKE from killing our nodes when we don’t have a spare replica ready

• reviewed terminationGracePeriodSeconds settings for each service to make sure applications have enough time to shut down properly

• updated code in some apps to make sure they could be shut down unexpectedly. This is a separate topic, but you need to make sure no critical data is lost and you can recover from whatever happens during node shutdown

• moved these services to spot instances (the main cost-savings step, the other steps were just needed for reliable service operations)

Experienced Kubernetes engineers can suggest a few more improvements, but this is enough for us right now.

Temporary Stable Instances

Now we come to the part about our skills assessments that need stable nodes. We can’t easily circumvent this requirement (yet, we have some ideas for the future).

We decided to try node auto-provisioning on GKE. Instead of having always available stable servers, we would dynamically create node pools with specific characteristics to run our skills assessments.

This comes with certain drawbacks - candidates who start our skills assessments have to wait an extra minute while the server is being provisioned compared to the past setup where stable servers were just waiting for Kubernetes pods to start. It’s not ideal, but considering it saves us a lot of money, it’s acceptable.

As we want to make sure no other workloads are running on those stable nodes, we use node taints and tolerations for our tests. Here’s what we add to our deployment spec:

nodeSelector:
  type: stable
tolerations:
  - effect: NoSchedule
    key: type
    operator: Equal
    value: stable

We also add resource requests (and limits, where needed), so auto-provisioning can select the right-sized node pool for our workloads. So, when there is a pending pod, auto-provisioning creates a new node pool of specific size with correct labels and tolerations:

Node Taints and Labels

Our skills assessment are running a maximum of 3 hours at a time and then automatically removed, which allows Kubernetes autoscaler to scale down our nodes.

There are a few more important things to mention. You need to actively manage resources for you workloads or pods may get evicted by Kubernetes (kicked out of the node because they are using more resources than they should).

In our case, we are going through each skill assessment we develop and take a note of resource usage to define how much we need. If this was an always-on type of workload, we could have deployed vertical pod autscaler that can provide automatic recommendations of how much resources you need based on resource usage metrics.

Another important point, is that sometimes autoscaler can kick in and remove the node if the usage if quite low, so we had to add the following annotation to our deployments to make sure we don’t get accidental pod restarts:

spec:
  template:
    metadata:
      annotations:
        cluster-autoscaler.kubernetes.io/safe-to-evict: "false"

All of this allows us to have temporary stable nodes for our workloads. We use backend service to remove deployments after 3 hours maximum, but GKE auto-provisioning has its own mechanism where you can define how long these nodes can stay alive.

Optimizations

While testing this setup, we noticed that auto-provisioning was not perfect - it was choosing a little too big nodes for our liking.

Another problem, as expected, creating new node pools for every new workload takes some extra time, e.g. it takes 1m53s for a pending pod to start on an existing node pool vs 2m11s on a new node pool.

So, here’s what we did to save a bit more money:

• pre-created node pools of multiple sizes with 0 nodes by default and autoscaling enabled. All of these have the same labels and taints, so autoscaler chooses the most optimal one. This saves us a bit of money vs node auto-provisioning

• choose older instance types, e.g. N1 family vs N2 which is newer but a bit more expensive. Saved some more money

Plus, got faster test provisioning as node pools are already created, and we still have auto-provisioning as a backup option in case we forget to create a new node pool for future tests.

The last thing I wanted to mention here, we were considering 1-node per test semantics for resource-hungry tests, e.g. ReactJS environments. This can be achieved with additional labels and pod anti-affinity as discussed previously. We might add this on a case-by-case basis.

Consolidated Dev and Prod

We have a relatively simple setup for a small team: dev and prod. Each environment consists of a GKE cluster and a Postgres database (and some other things not related to cost savings).

I went to a Kubernetes meetup in San Franciso in September and discovered a cool tool called vcluster. It allows you to create virtual Kubernetes clusters within the same Kubernetes cluster, so developers can get access to fully isolated Kubernetes clusters and install whatever they want inside without messing up the main cluster.

They have nice documentation, so I will just share how it impacted our cost savings. We moved from a separate GKE cluster in another project for our dev environment to a virtual cluster inside our prod GKE cluster. What that means:

• We got rid of a full GKE cluster. Even not taking into account actual nodes, Google started charging a fee for cluster management recently.

• We can share nodes between dev and prod clusters. Even empty nodes require around 0.5 CPU and 0.5 GB RAM to operate, so the fewer nodes, the better.

• We save money on shared infrastructure, e.g. we don’t need two Grafana instances, Prometheus Operators, etc. because it is the same “physical” infrastructure and we can monitor it together. The isolation between virtual clusters happens on the namespace level and some smart renaming mechanics.

• We save money by avoiding paying for extra load balancers. Vcluster allows you to share ingress controllers (and other resources you’d like to share) between clusters, a kind of parent-child relationship.

• We don’t need another cloud database, we moved our dev database to the prod database instance. You don’t have to do this step, but our goal was aggressive cost savings.

We had some struggles with Identity and Access Management (IAM) set up during this migration as some functionality required a subscription to vcluster, but we found a workaround.

We understand that there are certain risks with such a setup, but we are small-scale for now and we can always improve isolation and availability concerns as we grow.

Cloud Logging

I was reviewing our billing last month and noticed something strange - daily charges for Cloud Logging even though I couldn’t remember enabling anything special like Managed Prometheus service.

Google Cloud Logging Billing

I got worried as this would mean spending almost $100/month for I don’t know what. I was also baffled why it started in the middle of the month, I thought maybe one of the developers enabled something and forgot.

After some investigation, I found what it was:

Google Cloud Logging Volume

GKE Control Plane components were generating 100GB of logs every month. The reason I saw some charges in the middle of the month is there is a free tier of 50GB, so for the first two weeks there wouldn’t be any charges, and once you cross the threshold, you start seeing it in billing.

We already had somewhat optimized setup by disabling logging for user worklods:

GKE Cloud Logging Setup

We want to have control plane logs in case there are some issues, but this was way too much. I started investigating deeper and found that the vast majority of logs are info-level logs from the API Server. Those are often very basic and don’t help much with troubleshooting.

To solve this, we added an exclusion rule to the _Default Log Router Sink to exclude info logs from the API server:

Log Router Sink Exclusion Filter

As you can see on one of the previous images, the logging generation flattened out after applying this filter and we now have GKE logging under control. I’ve also added a budget alert specifically for Cloud Logging to catch this earlier in the future.

Conclusion & Next Steps

I wanted to see how much we can achieve without relying on any committed-use discounts or reserved instances as those approaches still cost money and are associated with extra risks, depending on if you buy 1 or 3-year commitments. Now, that we reduced our costs a lot, we can consider applying committed use discounts as those will be a pretty low risk at this level of costs.

I hope this will give you a few fresh ideas on how to optimize your own infrastructure as most of these decisions can be applied to all major cloud providers.

AWS DevOps Interview Questions Ultimate Guide for 2025: Insights for Recruiters and Hiring Teams

Introduction

Recruiting the right DevOps engineers, especially those well-versed in AWS (Amazon Web Services), is a critical task for organizations aiming to excel in the world of cloud-based software development.

This guide is designed to assist recruiters and hiring teams by offering insights into AWS DevOps interview questions and providing sample answers.

Understanding these questions and their context will enable you to make more informed hiring decisions and select the best candidates for your team.

The DevOps symbol is an infinity loop representing constant activity and improved efficiency

What is DevOps?

Before we delve into AWS DevOps specifics, it's crucial to establish a common understanding of what DevOps is.

DevOps is a methodology that bridges the gap between software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). It streamlines the software development lifecycle, fostering collaboration, automation, and continuous monitoring to result in faster and more reliable software releases.

DevOps engineers are sometimes referred to as the following roles: Cloud System Engineers, Cloud Architects, Systems Administrators, Network Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers (SREs), Cloud Security Engineers, Cloud Solutions Architects, Cloud Operations Engineers, and Data Engineers.

Importance of DevOps in AWS

DevOps plays a pivotal role in the AWS ecosystem by accelerating software development, deployment, and maintenance.

It leverages AWS services to optimize resource provisioning, automate infrastructure management, and enhance software deployment. This ensures the reliability and scalability of AWS-based applications.

Basic DevOps Engineer Interview Questions

As recruiters and hiring teams seeking DevOps engineers with AWS expertise, it's essential to evaluate candidates' knowledge across various key areas. Here's an overview of essential topics to consider when crafting interview questions:

Basic Concepts

• Explore the core principles of DevOps.

• Evaluate the advantages of AWS for DevOps.

• Define infrastructure as code (IaC) and its significance.

Infrastructure as Code

• How does AWS CloudFormation support infrastructure as code?

• Investigate the key components of a CloudFormation template.

• Understand the concept of idempotence in IaC.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

• What is CI/CD, and how does it relate to DevOps?

• Discuss the AWS services frequently used in CI/CD within AWS DevOps.

• Delve into the creation of automated code deployment pipelines in AWS.

Monitoring and Logging

• Assess knowledge about AWS tools for monitoring and logging.

• Explain the importance of cloud-native monitoring.

• Inquire about setting up automated alerts in AWS for critical events.

Networking

• Scrutinize candidates' grasp of AWS Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and its components.

• Probe their understanding of securing data in transit within AWS.

• Differentiate between a network ACL and a security group in AWS.

Criteria for Passing an AWS DevOps Interview

When it comes to scoring a candidate's experience and answers in an interview, we advise paying special attention to the following criteria:

1. Master AWS Fundamentals

   • A solid understanding of AWS services is essential. Candidates should be familiar with core services such as EC2, S3, RDS, and VPC, as well as foundational knowledge of IAM, networking, and cost management.

2. Coding and Scripting Skills

   • Proficiency in scripting languages like Python, Bash, or PowerShell is crucial for automating tasks and writing efficient scripts. Candidates should also have experience with configuration management tools like Ansible or Chef.

   • Knowledge of Git for version control is a must, and familiarity with programming concepts can be advantageous for troubleshooting or working with microservices.

3. Familiarity with AWS DevOps Tools

   • Candidates should have hands-on experience with key AWS tools, including but not limited to:

     • AWS CodePipeline: For continuous integration and delivery.

     • AWS CloudFormation: For infrastructure as code.

     • AWS Elastic Beanstalk: For managing application deployments.

     • AWS Lambda: For serverless architectures.

     • AWS CloudWatch: For monitoring and logging.

     • AWS CodeBuild and AWS CodeDeploy: For building and deploying applications.

   • Knowledge of container services like ECS or EKS (Kubernetes on AWS) is increasingly important.

4. Up-to-Date Knowledge

   • Staying current with the latest trends in DevOps and AWS is non-negotiable. This includes familiarity with:

     • New AWS services and features (e.g., Graviton processors, EventBridge).

     • Emerging practices like GitOps, FinOps, and chaos engineering.

     • Security trends and compliance standards, such as GDPR and SOC 2.

5. Problem-Solving and Troubleshooting Skills

   • DevOps is about solving real-world challenges efficiently. Candidates should demonstrate:

     • Analytical thinking and the ability to debug and resolve issues quickly.

     • Experience with tools like AWS CloudTrail for auditing and X-Ray for distributed tracing.

     • Creative solutions for optimizing performance, managing costs, or improving deployment workflows.

6. Experience with CI/CD and Automation

   • Candidates should be able to design, implement, and optimize CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or AWS-native options.

   • Automation of infrastructure, deployments, and scaling should be a core skill.

7. Soft Skills (often overlooked but critical)

   • Communication and teamwork are vital in DevOps roles, as they involve cross-functional collaboration.

   • The ability to explain complex systems or processes clearly is especially important during troubleshooting or design discussions.

   Additional Considerations for Modern AWS DevOps Roles

• Cloud Cost Optimization Skills: With cost control becoming a top priority, familiarity with tools like AWS Budgets, Cost Explorer, and savings plans is increasingly valued.

• Security and Compliance Expertise: AWS DevOps engineers must understand encryption, least privilege principles, and compliance tools like AWS Security Hub.

• Multi-Cloud or Hybrid Experience: Although AWS-focused, experience with hybrid setups or other cloud providers (Azure, GCP) is often seen as a bonus.

Frequently Asked AWS DevOps Interview Questions and Answers

To evaluate candidates effectively, you should expect clear, concise responses to interview questions.

We've provided some specific AWS DevOps interview questions that can help assess a candidate's knowledge and experience, together with sample answers:

General AWS DevOps Concepts

1. What is AWS DevOps, and how does it differ from traditional software development and IT operations?
   Assess understanding of AWS DevOps practices emphasizing automation, collaboration, and scalability.

2. Explain the key benefits of adopting DevOps in AWS.
   Include speed, resource optimization, operational efficiency, and scalability.

3. What are the primary challenges when implementing DevOps on AWS, and how would you address them?
   Evaluate problem-solving and practical experience with AWS-specific challenges.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

1. What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and why is it important in AWS DevOps?
   Highlight benefits like consistency, automation, and versioning.

2. Compare AWS CloudFormation and Terraform. When would you use one over the other?
   Focus on their strengths and use cases in AWS-centric versus multi-cloud environments.

3. How do you handle dependencies and ensure idempotence in IaC?
   Probe understanding of advanced IaC concepts.

CI/CD and Automation

1. What is CI/CD, and how do you implement it using AWS services?
   Explore experience with AWS CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and third-party tools like Jenkins.

2. Describe the key components of AWS CodePipeline and how it supports CI/CD workflows.
   Evaluate understanding of CI/CD service integration.

3. What strategies would you use to minimize deployment downtime during CI/CD?
   Discuss approaches like canary releases, rolling updates, or Blue-Green deployments.

4. What is AWS CodeDeploy, and how does it differ from AWS Elastic Beanstalk?
   Compare these tools for managing deployments.

Monitoring and Logging

1. What is AWS CloudWatch, and how is it used for monitoring in DevOps?
   Assess understanding of monitoring, custom metrics, and alerting.

2. How would you set up real-time alerts for critical failures in an AWS environment?
   Test familiarity with CloudWatch Alarms and integrations with SNS or Lambda.

3. What is the role of distributed tracing in DevOps, and how can AWS X-Ray help?
   Probe knowledge of advanced monitoring tools.

4. How does AWS Config complement monitoring in AWS DevOps environments?
   Test understanding of compliance and resource monitoring.

Security and Compliance

1. How do you securely manage credentials and secrets in AWS?
   Evaluate experience with AWS Secrets Manager, Parameter Store, and IAM policies.

2. What best practices do you follow for IAM role and policy management?
   Assess understanding of least privilege principles and resource-level access control.

3. How would you ensure compliance with standards like SOC 2 or GDPR in AWS?
   Test knowledge of AWS Security Hub, CloudTrail, and audit procedures.

4. What is AWS KMS, and how is it used to manage encryption in AWS DevOps?
   Probe understanding of encryption and key management.

Networking

1. What is a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), and how does it support AWS DevOps practices?
   Test understanding of networking fundamentals.

2. Explain the difference between a security group and a network ACL in AWS.
   Evaluate knowledge of network security.

3. How do you secure data in transit in an AWS environment?
   Discuss strategies involving TLS, VPNs, and AWS Certificate Manager.

Serverless and Containerized Architectures

1. What is AWS Lambda, and how can it be used in a DevOps workflow?
   Explore serverless event-driven architectures.

2. Compare AWS ECS and Amazon EKS. How do you decide which one to use?
   Test knowledge of container orchestration in AWS.

3. How do you handle container image management in AWS?
   Discuss the use of Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR).

Scaling and Performance

1. How do you implement auto-scaling for an AWS application?
   Explore experience with Auto Scaling Groups and scaling policies.

2. What strategies do you use to optimize costs in a DevOps workflow?
   Evaluate familiarity with AWS Budgets, Reserved Instances, and Savings Plans.

3. How would you troubleshoot performance bottlenecks in an AWS environment?
   Test understanding of tools like CloudWatch, AWS X-Ray, and third-party APM tools.

Advanced Scenarios

1. Describe the concept of Blue-Green deployments and how they can be implemented in AWS.
   Assess understanding of deployment strategies.

2. What is AWS CloudTrail, and how does it assist in auditing and troubleshooting?
   Test knowledge of activity tracking and compliance monitoring.

3. How would you design a disaster recovery strategy for a business-critical application on AWS?
   Explore knowledge of RTO/RPO, multi-region deployments, and services like S3, Glacier, and Route 53.

Modern Trends and Best Practices

1. What is GitOps, and how would you implement it in AWS?
   Test familiarity with modern DevOps trends.

2. How do you use event-driven architecture in AWS DevOps?
   Discuss tools like EventBridge, SNS, and SQS.

3. How do you integrate observability into your DevOps practices?
   Explore concepts like logging, tracing, and metrics in a unified manner.

Best Practices for AWS DevOps Interviews

Recruiters and hiring teams should guide candidates on how to excel in AWS DevOps interviews:

• Encourage clear, concise answers.

• Request real-world examples or use a DevOps AWS assessment to illustrate their experience.

• Look for candidates' problem-solving skills and creativity.

• Emphasize the importance of effective collaboration and communication.

• Seek discussions of both successes and challenges from past roles.

Brokee's Live AWS DevOps Assessments reflect real daily work

How to Make Sure a System Engineer Has Real-World Experience

Interviewers often ask a range of AWS DevOps interview questions, including scenario-based questions, technical problem-solving exercises, and questions about real-life experiences.

While it is crucial to ask these types of questions, we recommend thinking outside the box when it comes to DevOps interviewing  Modern tools like Live DevOps Assessments are proven to be better for than interviews at determining whether a DevOps engineer will perform well on the job. Plus, DevOps assessments are found to reduce overall DevOps hiring costs.

Final Thoughts

In the dynamic landscape of AWS DevOps, recruiting the right talent can make or break an organization's success. Recruiters and hiring teams serve as key players in building teams that can harness the full potential of AWS while delivering high-quality software to customers.

By asking the right AWS DevOps interview questions and using the best solutions for DevOps Assessments, recruiters and hiring teams can identify candidates with the skills and experience to excel in these roles.

Plus, did you know we now offer training for DevOps Engineers? Try it for free today!

Essential DevOps Statistics and Trends for Hiring in 2025

Introduction: DevOps Hiring Statistics to Know in 2025

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, DevOps emerges as a pivotal element for efficient and effective software development and operations.

This blog post explores the latest statistics on DevOps hiring, market growth, technology adoption, and skill demand, providing valuable insights for businesses and professionals in this dynamic field.

DevOps Market Overview

Global DevOps Market Size Statistics

Experiencing remarkable growth, the DevOps market is projected to expand from $13.2 billion in 2024 to an impressive $81.1 billion by 2028 (source).

This surge highlights the growing indispensability of DevOps methodologies in modern software development and IT operations.

Hire better by understanding the DevOps landscape

DevOps Adoption and Usage Statistics in 2025

DevOps is rapidly transitioning from a specialized approach to a mainstream strategy. Its adoption soared from 33% of companies in 2017 to an estimated 80% in 2024.

DevOps Engineering was one of the top five most in-demand jobs globally in 2024, and the demand will continue to be high in the following years.

DevOps Adoption and Cloud Computing Strategy

By 2025, over 85% of organizations are expected to adopt a cloud computing strategy, aligning closely with the integration of DevOps practices.

By 2027, Gartner estimates that 80% of organizations will incorporate a DevOps platforms into their development toolchains to streamline software delivery and reduce complexity—an impressive increase from 25% in 2023.

This strategic shift is driven by the need for agility, efficiency, and scalability in software development and deployment.

DevOps Hiring Landscape

Statistics on Hiring DevOps Engineers

29% of IT teams have recently hired a DevOps engineer, making it the most recruited role in IT. However, a recent report highlights that 37% of IT leaders identify a lack of skills in DevOps and DevSecOps as the primary technical skills gap within their teams [source]. To address this, 68% of IT teams now have upskilling programs in place, a significant increase from just 30% in 2020 [source].

IT professionals understand the need to upskill, and according to Statista, DevOps, is the seventh most tech skills that developers would like to acquire in 2024.

From the recruiter side, the challenge of finding DevOps talent is significant, with 19% of recruiters struggling to find experienced DevOps professionals.

Distribution of Technical Roles of Respondents of Stack Overflow Survey

This underlines the challenge organizations face in finding and hiring skilled DevOps professionals, amidst a landscape dominated by Full-stack and Back-end Developers. The high demand also means that there is often a high cost of hiring DevOps engineers.

Read More: The Hidden Costs of Your Hiring Pipeline

Where Do DevOps Engineers Work?

Size of Companies Where DevOps Engineers Work

DevOps Engineers are essential across a spectrum of company sizes. Notably, 22% work in large organizations with over 10,000 employees, indicating the critical role DevOps plays in both large and smaller enterprises.

Number of employees reported by DevOps Engineers, Google 2023 DevOps Survey

Industries Where DevOps Engineers are Employed

DevOps professionals significantly impact a range of industries. 37% operate within the technology sector, with financial services and consumer sectors also exhibiting substantial engagement.

Industries reported by DevOps Engineers

These figures demonstrate the extensive reach of DevOps methodologies beyond the tech industry, into diverse fields such as healthcare, telecommunications, and government, where they drive efficiency and innovation.

Benefits of Hiring DevOps Engineers

Investing in DevOps is more than just filling a position; it's about enhancing efficiency and innovation.

DevOps engineer can create, design, and maintain Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery pipelines, decrease deployment time, and have the technical skills required for the position.

Organizations that build robust DevOps teams and infrastructures are positioning themselves at the forefront of technological advancement.

Skill-Specific Demand for DevOps Engineers

In the DevOps arena, a diverse range of skills is essential. According to Hackr.io, key areas of expertise expected from DevOps engineers include:

• Programming Languages: Proficiency in PHP, Python, Perl, Ruby, Java, and C++.

• Continuous Integration Tools: Jenkins, Apache Maven, and Apache Ant.

• Containerization and Orchestration: Docker and Kubernetes expertise.

• Cloud Platforms: Knowledge of AWS, Azure, GCP.

• Automation and Configuration Management: Using tools like Ansible, Chef, or Puppet.

• Monitoring and Logging: Effective use of monitoring and logging tools.

• Security Skills: Incorporating security into DevOps processes (DevSecOps).

These skill sets highlight the need for continuous learning and adaptability in DevOps roles.

Evolution of Demand for DevOps Engineers in 2025

As we move into 2025, the demand for DevOps skills continues to grow exponentially. This surge is a clear indicator of the critical role DevOps plays in the modern tech ecosystem.

The growing demand for DevOps skills is set to continue in the coming year, reflecting the crucial role of DevOps in the contemporary tech ecosystem. This trend is complemented by competitive salaries and diverse career opportunities within the field.

Data from the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023 highlights the competitive salaries in the tech industry, comparing salaries of cloud engineers versus software engineers, with Cloud Engineers and Site Reliability Engineers topping the list in the United States. Back-end Developers and Mobile Developers also show strong earning potential, reflecting the value of these skill sets.

Salaries reported by respondents of Stack Overflow's Developer Survey

DevOps in IT Teams Statistics

State of DevOps Teams: Statistics and Trends

DevOps teams are evolving. New hires face initial challenges with productivity, scoring 8% lower than their more experienced counterparts. This highlights the importance of streamlined hiring and onboarding and integrating team-specific knowledge and social dynamics into the productivity equation.

To help new hires ramp up, organizations could provide high-quality documentation, incorporate artificial intelligence into workflows, and encourage in-person collaboration, particularly during the onboarding phase.

Looking ahead, the DevOps landscape is expected to prioritize speed and stability while integrating AI-driven automation, multi-cloud, GitOps, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation and learning within DevOps teams.

In the dynamic field of DevOps, career trajectories vary. According to Google's 2023 State of DevOps Report, around 40% of DevOps engineers tend to change roles within 1-2 years, while a considerable proportion, about 33%, demonstrate longer tenures of 5-7 years, highlighting diverse career stability within the industry.

Length of time at current job, reported by DevOps engineers in Google’s DevOps Survey

DevOps Team and Culture Statistics

DevOps is more than a set of practices; it's a culture. Investing in DevOps teams and infrastructure goes beyond technical skills—it's about fostering a collaborative, innovative, and agile work environment.

A significant trend towards hybrid and remote work is evident among DevOps Engineers. Nearly a third of professionals predominantly work from home, with many more working hybrid, indicating a shift towards more flexible work environments in the DevOps sector.

Location where DevOps engineers primarily work

Role of DevOps in Software Development: A Statistical Overview

2025 marks a pivotal year in DevOps, with an expected rise in the adoption of cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes and Docker. This shift underscores the role of DevOps in driving efficiency and scalability in software development.

DevOps Engineer Profile

Years of Experience and Career Progression

DevOps engineers tend to have at least 6 years of experience

Skillsets and Specializations

DevOps engineers are multi-faceted professionals. Mastery in programming languages, CI tools, containerization, cloud platforms, automation, and security skills are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the diverse skill set required in this field.

Professional developers report having a experience in CI/CD, Automated Testing, and DevOps Function, Stack Overflow Survey

Emerging Trends and Best Practices in DevOps for 2025

Top DevOps Trends to Watch in 2025

The future of DevOps is intertwined with AI and ML, pointing towards a smarter, more automated approach to software development. The integration of these technologies is set to redefine DevOps practices.

Containerization in DevOps

Containerization, led by Docker, is no longer an option but a necessity. With 59% of organizations adopting containerizing, it's clear that in 2025 and beyond, efficient, scalable DevOps practices will be paramount.

DevOps is expected to prioritize speed and stability while integrating AI-driven automation, multi-cloud, GitOps, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices.

Additionally, the trend of breaking down silos between DevOps and security teams is expected to continue, with a higher percentage of organizations adopting DevSecOps practices.

DevOps Tools Usage: Current Trends and Future Projections

DevOps is moving towards a cloud-native future. The increased adoption of technologies like Kubernetes and serverless computing paints a picture of a more agile and efficient DevOps landscape.

Best Practices and Implementation Strategies

Success in DevOps hinges on strong foundations and forward-thinking strategies. Embracing best practices, such as integrating AI and adopting cloud-native technologies, will be key drivers in 2025.

DevOps assessments will also be a key tool for ensuring the high quality of new DevOps hires. Since DevOps engineers have access to the most sensitive aspects of a website, it's essential to hire the right engineers, and avoid risky hiring mistakes.

Read More: Choosing the Best DevOps Engineer Assessment

Technology Adoption

A survey by Datadog highlights Kubernetes (K8s) as the preferred technology for deploying and managing containerized environments, utilized by nearly 50% of surveyed organizations. This reflects Kubernetes' growing significance in orchestrating complex containerized applications. 

Linux and Docker are at the forefront of technologies used by DevOps engineers, with Terraform and AWS also playing key roles. This data points to a tech stack that emphasizes containerization, cloud services, and infrastructure as code.

The most in-demand skills in the DevOps tech stack include Docker (42.77%), Kubernetes (28.02%), AWS (12.1%), Linux (9.17%), and Bash (4.44%) [source].

The most used technologies by DevOps engineers

The Strategic Impact of DevOps

Anticipated Benefits and ROI of DevOps in 2025

The strategic impact of DevOps extends beyond immediate technical benefits. It's about leveraging DevOps for enhanced efficiency, reduced development cycles, streamlined collaboration, and reduced IT expenditure, ensuring a competitive edge in the fast-paced tech world.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Future of DevOps

The DevOps field is continuously advancing, bringing new opportunities and challenges for organizations worldwide. Staying informed about these trends and statistics is crucial for businesses intending to hire exceptional DevOps talent in 2025.

Read More: Seven Signs You Need to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2025

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FAQ

Q: What are the latest DevOps adoption statistics for 2025?

A: According to recent reports, the adoption of continues to rise, with an estimated 74% of organizations implementing DevOps practices in some capacity.

Q: What are the key trends in the DevOps market statistics for 2025?

A: DevOps has shown exponential growth, with the market expected to reach $15 billion by the end of 2024, indicating a significant market share increase compared to previous years.

Q: How do DevOps engineer statistics reflect the job market in 2025?

A: In 2025, there will be a high demand for DevOps engineers, with an average salary growth of 12% compared to the previous year, making it a lucrative career option.

Q: What are some essential v best practices to implement in 2025?

A: In 2025, it is crucial to focus on continuous integration and deployment, infrastructure as code, and automated testing as essential DevOps best practices to implement for efficient and streamlined operations.

Q: How can DevOps usage benefit organizations in 2025?

A: DevOps usage in 2025 can lead to improved deployment frequency, faster time to market, lower failure rates, and shortened lead time between fixes, ultimately contributing to better business outcomes and customer satisfaction.

Q: What are the latest devops containerization statistics for 2025?

A: In 2025, containerization is on the rise, with a reported 65% of organizations adopting containerization to enhance their DevOps practices and streamline application deployment.

Q: What are the key DevSecOps statistics indicating for 2025?

A: DevSecOps statistics for 2025 suggest an increasing focus on integrating security practices with DevOps, with 60% of organizations incorporating security into their DevOps processes to ensure robust and secure software delivery.

Q: How has the size of the DevOps market evolved in 2025?

A: The size of the DevOps market has significantly expanded in 2025, showcasing a 20% growth compared to the previous year, emphasizing the increasing relevance and reliance on DevOps solutions in the IT industry.

Q: What are the latest DevOps statistics indicating for AWS adoption in 2025?

A: AWS remains a dominant player in the DevOps landscape, with 47% of organizations leveraging AWS DevOps services, showcasing its continued significance in the market.

Read More: AWS DevOps Interview Questions and Answers for 2024

Q: What are the upcoming DevOps trends to know in 2025?

A: In 2025, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the increasing integration of AI and machine learning in DevOps, the growing emphasis on cloud-native DevOps practices, and the rising adoption of GitOps as notable DevOps trends to watch for.

The Best DevOps Bootcamps in 2025

We've compiled this article to help you discover the best DevOps bootcamps and courses in 2025 to level up your career.

Explore online training programs and find the right bootcamp to learn and practice DevOps theories, tools, and hands-on work.

The Significance of DevOps

DevOps, or developmental operations, combines philosophies, practices, and tools to enhance a company's ability to deliver high-quality and efficient applications and services.

This field is crucial in today's tech landscape and offers robust career opportunities for both novices and experienced professionals.

With the average salary for a DevOps engineer at $151,100 annually, according to Glassdoor, those who undergo training can access higher salaries and expanded career options, even without prior experience.

What is a DevOps Bootcamp?

A DevOps bootcamp is a training program designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of DevOps, which focuses on collaboration, automation, and integration between software developers and IT operations teams.

Why Attend a DevOps Bootcamp?

Acquiring Skills and Knowledge

DevOps bootcamps offer a structured learning environment focused on real-world skills applicable immediately in the tech field. These programs often include building a professional portfolio and enhancing soft skills, key for a successful career in technology. With courses tailored to teach practical and theoretical aspects, attendees leave with a solid understanding of DevOps practices and tools.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Bootcamps are geared towards career advancement, providing the technical skills needed in the rapidly growing field of DevOps. Many participants secure employment shortly after completion, with bootcamps significantly enhancing employability. The intense focus on current industry standards and practices makes bootcamp graduates highly attractive to potential employers.

Networking Opportunities

Attending a DevOps bootcamp opens up numerous networking opportunities within the community. Participants connect with professionals, instructors, and fellow students who are active in the field, providing valuable contacts that can lead to job opportunities and collaborations.

Additional Benefits of DevOps Bootcamps

• Flexibility: Many DevOps bootcamps offer self-paced and part-time options, allowing students to learn at their own pace and schedule, which is ideal for those who are working or have other commitments.

• Affordability: Compared to traditional degrees, bootcamps are more affordable and offer various payment plans. This makes them an accessible option for those looking to break into the tech industry without incurring significant debt.

• Accessibility: Bootcamps often require no previous experience in the field, making them a viable option for career changers or individuals starting their tech journey.

Selecting the ideal DevOps bootcamp involves careful consideration of several key factors to ensure it aligns with your career goals and learning style. Here’s a streamlined guide to help you make an informed decision:

Key Considerations for Selecting a DevOps Bootcamp

• Hands-on Learning: Prioritize bootcamps that emphasize practical exercises, projects, and labs. This should be your top priority when selecting a DevOps bootcamp; real-world experience is crucial for mastering DevOps tools and practices.

• Instructor Expertise: Ensure that the instructors are experienced DevOps practitioners. Instructors who are active in the field can offer up-to-date insights and best practices.

• Certification Preparation: If obtaining a certification is a goal, choose a bootcamp that prepares you for recognized DevOps certifications such as Azure DevOps or AWS DevOps Engineer.

• Flexible Pacing: Consider bootcamps that offer flexible scheduling options, such as self-paced online courses. This is particularly important if you need to balance learning with other commitments.

• Alumni Reviews: Research what past students say about their experiences. Alumni reviews can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the bootcamp and its relevance to current industry demands.

By evaluating each of these factors, you can select a DevOps bootcamp that not only meets your educational needs but also enhances your professional opportunities in the tech industry.

Our Selection of Top 10 DevOps Bootcamps

We've selected the following ten DevOps bootcamps due to many criteria, including the availability of hands-on labs and DevOps playgrounds, course projects, one-on-one instructor and mentor time, skills tested, certificate offerings, time of program, and value of the program. Here are the best DevOps bootcamps we discovered:

Simplilearn Master DevOps Engineer Certification Course

Details of the Program

This 10-week online program is aimed at professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of DevOps. It covers deployment methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and uses tools like Git, Docker, and Jenkins.

What You'll Learn

The program promises a deep dive into DevOps engineering with a focus on practical applications and mastering industry-relevant tools and skills.

Pricing

The course fee is $2,000, which includes access to Google Cloud Hands-on Labs and real-life project work.

Pros

• Includes certification upon completion.

• Intensive interaction and hands-on learning.

Cons

• High cost and short duration of course may not suffice for all learners.

CalTech’s Post Graduate Program in DevOps

Details of the Program

This 36-week bootcamp is offered in collaboration with IBM and focuses on bridging the gap between software development and operations using modern DevOps tools.

What You'll Learn

The curriculum includes extensive training in continuous deployment, configuration management tools like Puppet, Chef, SaltStack, and Ansible, and cutting-edge technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.

Pricing

The program fee is $4,849, which includes access to Capstone projects and industry masterclasses.

Pros

• Comprehensive and reputable program with a strong emphasis on hands-on projects.

• Access to exclusive job portals and career services.

Cons

• Relatively long duration commitment required.

Level Up in Tech Cloud Program

Details of the Program

Level Up in Tech offers a comprehensive 6-step process designed to launch careers in tech, focusing on fundamental and advanced cloud and DevOps skills.

What You'll Learn

Participants will learn server configuration, troubleshooting, infrastructure as code, CI/CD, scripting, containerization, and more, with a focus on AWS Cloud.

Pricing

Available upon request.

Pros

• Extensive curriculum with hands-on learning and real-world project work.

• Strong community support and personalized coaching.

• High quality live DevOps labs.

Cons

• Pricing information appears to be available upon request.

Fullstack Academy Cloud Computing Bootcamp

Details of the Program

This 26-week program is designed to teach cloud computing and DevOps skills, integrated with job search support and portfolio development. This program is used at many institutions, including The University of Illinois Chicago DevOps Bootcamp and The University of North Florida DevOps Bootcamp.

What You'll Learn

The curriculum includes AWS, Microsoft Azure technologies, and a comprehensive set of cloud computing fundamentals and advanced concepts.

Pricing

The tuition for the bootcamp is $14,495, which includes extensive hands-on project work and career services.

Pros

• Comprehensive and immersive program with excellent job preparation.

• High level of student support and industry recognition.

Cons

• One of the more expensive options without including certifications.

WeCloudData DevOps Engineering Bootcamp

Details of the Program

WeCloudData offers a flexible learning experience that combines self-paced materials with mentor sessions. This bootcamp focuses on equipping participants with real-world DevOps skills through practical, industry-relevant scenarios.

What You'll Learn

The bootcamp covers an array of DevOps tools and systems, emphasizing real-world applications and hands-on project work to ensure job readiness.

Pricing

$4,000 (self-paced materials + 30-hour mentor support) to $6,000 (adds 6-month career services to the Standard Package).

Pros

• Capstone project provides hands-on learning experience.

• In-depth mentorship and career services available.

Cons

• Higher price point for the packages offered.

• Lacks structured, real-time lab environments.

Cloud Academy

Details of the Program

Cloud Academy offers a platform for upskilling in cloud technologies and DevOps, utilizing AI-assisted training solutions to enhance learning outcomes.

What You'll Learn

The training spans multiple cloud platforms, including AWS, Google Cloud, and more, focusing on practical skills through hands-on exercises.

Pricing

Annual membership is priced at $199.

Pros

• one of the more affordable options available.

• AI-assisted personalized training enhances learning efficiency.

Cons

• Less focused on DevOps specifically, more broad in scope covering general cloud skills.

• Some details on hands-on learning specifics are unclear, so it may lack sufficient labs and playgrounds.

KodeKloud DevOps Courses and Labs

Details of the Program

KodeKloud offers a unique approach to learning DevOps by providing a platform that combines theory with hands-on practical experience. With over 75 courses and more than 600 hands-on labs, KodeKloud allows users to engage in real-world scenarios through its DevOps and Cloud Playgrounds. These environments are ideal for experimentation and learning without the risk of impacting real systems.

What You'll Learn

Participants gain experience in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms through sandboxed environments, alongside a comprehensive list of DevOps practices and tools.

Pricing

KODEKLOUD PRO is available at $21 per month, billed annually at $250. This subscription includes access to all standard features like 60+ DevOps playgrounds, three cloud playgrounds, all courses, and hands-on labs.

Pros

• Extensive labs and sandboxes for hands-on learning.

• Affordable and flexible pricing with easy cancellation.

Cons

• Lacks structured coursework, more suitable for self-directed learners.

A Cloud Guru DevOps Courses and Labs

Details of the Program

A Cloud Guru has served over 2.2 million engineers, offering courses designed using proven adult learning principles. The program includes fresh courses and labs that cover a range of cloud platforms and DevOps tools.

What You'll Learn

The curriculum spans across AWS, Azure, and GCP, featuring cloud playgrounds, practice exams, and hands-on labs. This diverse toolkit helps users prepare for and pass certification exams while gaining practical cloud skills.

Pricing

Pricing varies between $350 and $588 per person, depending on individual or business use.

Pros

• Comprehensive learning tools and fresh course content.

• Suitable for all skill levels from novice to expert.

Cons

• More expensive than some alternatives.

• Primarily focuses on cloud platforms with a broad approach to DevOps.

• Lacks structured coursework, more suitable for self-directed learners.

Nucamp ‘Become a Back End, SQL, and DevOps Developer with Python’ Bootcamp

Details of the Program

Over 16 weeks, this bootcamp focuses on Python programming, SQL databases, and the use of major cloud services. The program includes weekly live workshops and project work.

What You'll Learn

Students gain skills in Python, Postgres SQL, Docker, Flask, Django, and various DevOps practices, preparing them to deploy applications across major cloud platforms.

Pricing

The monthly cost ranges from $150 to $170, depending on the payment plan.

Pros

• Interactive with live instruction.

• Covers a broad range of technologies and tools.

Cons

• Lacks more intensive, hands-on lab experiences.

Clarusway AWS & DevOps Course

Details of the Program

Spanning 37 weeks, this course prepares students for a career in AWS DevOps, focusing on practical skills and certification preparation.

What You'll Learn

The course offers extensive hands-on learning through labs, projects, and includes mentorship and career services.

Pricing

Total course fee is $7,950, reflecting the depth and duration of the program.

Pros

• Highly rated with extensive curriculum and support services.

Cons

• High cost and long duration may be barriers for some students.

• No certifications are included with this cost.

Final Word

DevOps bootcamps provide a compelling pathway for those looking to enter or advance in the fast-evolving tech landscape. By offering focused, practical training in key areas of cloud, CI/CD, and system operations, these programs equip participants with the skills necessary to excel in DevOps roles.

Whether you're a beginner looking to break into the field or an experienced professional aiming to upgrade your skills, the right DevOps bootcamp can significantly influence your career trajectory, making it a worthwhile investment in today’s digital economy.

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DevOps Bootcamp FAQs

What can I learn in a DevOps bootcamp?

In a DevOps bootcamp, you will acquire skills such as tool proficiency, project management, cloud technologies like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Azure, Ansible, as well as coding practices, software development principles, pipeline orchestration, and realtime system reliability.

Are there free DevOps bootcamps available online?

Yes, some platforms offer free online DevOps bootcamp programs to help individuals kickstart their journey into becoming a DevOps engineer, providing practice exercises and video instructions. Often, these free courses don't have hands-on labs, which can be good for beginners, but not recommended for those trying to start a career.

What are Alternatives to DevOps Bootcamps?

For those considering alternatives to DevOps bootcamps, there are several other effective ways to learn and develop necessary skills in this field. Here are some popular options:

1. Online Courses and Tutorials

Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of courses that cover specific DevOps tools and methodologies. These platforms allow for a more self-directed approach, enabling learners to focus on particular areas of interest or need.

2. University Degrees and DevOps Academies

Pursuing a degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field can provide a more comprehensive education. University programs offer in-depth studies in programming, systems administration, and network management, which are foundational to a career in DevOps.

3. Professional Certifications

Certifications from organizations like the Linux Foundation, AWS, Microsoft, or Google can validate your skills and knowledge in DevOps practices. Preparing for these certifications often involves rigorous study, which can be done through self-study, guided online courses, or official training programs.

4. Apprenticeships and Internships

Gaining hands-on experience through an apprenticeship or an internship with a tech company can provide practical knowledge and insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of DevOps roles. This path also helps in building professional networks and can often lead to full-time employment.

5. Industry Conferences and Workshops

Attending industry-specific events like DevOpsDays, AWS re:Invent, or Microsoft Ignite can offer opportunities to learn from leading experts and practitioners. Workshops and seminars provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, along with the latest trends and tools in the industry.

6. Meetups and Community Groups

Joining local or online DevOps communities can be an excellent way to learn informally. These groups often host regular meetups, hackathons, and discussion forums where members share insights, best practices, and challenges.

7. Self-Learning through Open Source Projects

Contributing to open source projects can be a practical way to learn DevOps tools and practices. This involves real-world problem-solving and collaboration, which are critical components of DevOps work.

How Hands-On Lab Training Accelerates Your DevOps Learning Curve

DevOps is a fast-paced, dynamic field where theoretical knowledge alone is rarely enough to succeed. To truly master the skills needed in this industry, hands-on experience is essential.

Hands-on lab training offers a practical, immersive way for DevOps engineers to accelerate their learning curve and become job-ready faster.

In this article, we’ll explore why hands-on labs are so effective and how they can drastically improve your DevOps skills.

1. Real-World Problem Solving

Learning by Doing

In DevOps, engineers face complex, real-world challenges daily. Hands-on labs simulate these real-life tasks, such as configuring a Kubernetes cluster, troubleshooting cloud infrastructure, or setting up CI/CD pipelines. This experience allows engineers to actively solve problems rather than passively learn concepts.

Why It Matters

Theoretical knowledge can only take you so far. Working on actual infrastructure and handling real problems solidifies what you’ve learned, ensuring you can apply those skills when it matters most—on the job.

Example: Many engineers use Brokee’s hands-on labs to practice AWS, Azure, and DevOps tasks that mirror real job environments.

Whether you’re an entry-level engineer or preparing for a new role, Brokee’s labs provide practical experience that accelerates your job readiness.

Brokee offers several labs and tests to practice DevOps and cloud skills, including Azure: Blob Challenge and Azure: Load Balancer

2. Builds Confidence for Day-One Readiness

Hands-On = Confidence

Many engineers struggle with confidence during their first few months on the job because they’ve never had the chance to apply what they learned in real scenarios. Hands-on labs give engineers the opportunity to practice these skills repeatedly until they are fully confident in their abilities.

Why It Matters

Confidence in your DevOps skills from day one can drastically shorten onboarding time and increase your productivity early in your career.

Companies often prefer candidates who have hands-on experience with the tools and technologies they use.

3. Mastering Tools and Platforms

Get Familiar with Industry-Standard Tools

Hands-on labs allow engineers to get comfortable using critical DevOps tools like Terraform, Ansible, Docker, Jenkins, and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Lab environments replicate real job tasks, so engineers can focus on mastering specific tools while understanding how they integrate into larger workflows.

Why It Matters

Becoming proficient with tools is crucial for DevOps roles. Hands-on labs provide the chance to not only learn new tools but to also understand how they function in complex environments.

Example: Engineers can practice setting up a continuous integration pipeline using Jenkins, deploy a containerized application with Kubernetes, or automate infrastructure with Terraform in a lab environment before applying these skills in production.

Read More: The Top DevOps Tools in 2024

4. Safe Environment to Make Mistakes

Learning Without the Pressure

One of the greatest advantages of hands-on lab training is the ability to make mistakes without real-world consequences.

In an actual job setting, errors can lead to downtime, security risks, or financial losses. In a lab, engineers can experiment, fail, and learn without the pressure of damaging live environments.

Why It Matters

The freedom to experiment helps engineers learn faster. They can try different approaches, discover what works, and learn from failures—all without impacting actual projects.

Read More: The Best DevOps Bootcamps in 2024

5. Speeds Up the Learning Curve

Accelerating Skill Development

Hands-on labs enable faster learning by giving engineers instant feedback. Instead of reading through documentation and theory, they can immediately see the results of their actions in the lab environment.

This kind of real-time feedback significantly speeds up the learning process, as engineers can adjust their approach on the fly.

Why It Matters

Learning by doing accelerates mastery of concepts and tools. Engineers gain a deep understanding of how different DevOps practices work together, which ultimately helps them become proficient more quickly than with theoretical learning alone.

6. Preparing for Certifications

Practical Experience for Exams

Certifications like AWS DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Azure DevOps, or Google Cloud Professional DevOps Engineer require not just theoretical knowledge, but also practical understanding. Hands-on labs prepare engineers for these exams by allowing them to practice the exact scenarios they’ll be tested on.

Why It Matters

While studying for certifications is important, real-world practice is what truly prepares you to pass the exams and apply the knowledge in the workplace. Hands-on labs give you the confidence and experience to tackle even the most challenging certification questions.

Example: In an AWS hands-on lab, engineers can set up auto-scaling groups, configure CloudWatch for monitoring, and use Lambda for automation—real-world tasks that they’ll likely face on the AWS DevOps Engineer certification exam.

Read More: AWS DevOps Interview Questions and Answers for 2024

7. Gaining Practical Job Experience

Simulate the Job Environment

Hands-on labs not only prepare engineers for exams but also simulate day-to-day job tasks.

These labs mirror the exact work you’ll do in a DevOps role, such as deploying cloud infrastructure, setting up monitoring systems, or configuring secure environments. The more practice you get, the more comfortable you’ll be when performing these tasks in a live environment.

Why It Matters

This kind of real-world experience is what hiring managers look for. By practicing in labs, engineers can demonstrate they are ready to step into a role without needing extensive on-the-job training.

Brokee’s live labs

Conclusion

Hands-on lab training is an invaluable tool for accelerating the DevOps learning curve.

Whether you're mastering tools, preparing for certifications, or gaining real-world job experience, these labs provide the perfect environment to learn by doing.

We currently offer 3 free labs for engineers (no credit card needed!), and after that, you can have access to our unlimited testing library for only $9 per month. Try Brokee risk-free today!

The practical experience gained from our labs will significantly boost your confidence, shorten onboarding time, and make you job-ready from day one.

Mastering Azure DevOps: Top Training Resources and Certifications to Kickstart Your Career

As businesses increasingly move to cloud-native solutions, mastering Azure DevOps has become essential for engineers aiming to boost their careers.

Whether you're starting your journey or looking to advance your skills, here’s a guide to the best Azure DevOps training resources and certifications that will help you stand out in this fast-growing field.

1. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert

What It Is

The Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification is one of the most recognized credentials for Azure DevOps engineers. It validates your ability to combine people, processes, and technologies to deliver continuously improved products and services.

What You’ll Learn

• How to design and implement DevOps processes

• Using version control systems like Git

• Implementing CI/CD pipelines

• Managing infrastructure using Azure DevOps and tools like Terraform and Ansible

Why It’s Important

This certification proves you can create and implement strategies that improve software development lifecycles, a critical skill for Azure DevOps engineers.

Recommended Resources:

• Microsoft Learning Path: Free modules on the official Microsoft site provide a structured learning path to pass the certification.

• Whizlabs and Udemy Courses: These platforms offer in-depth preparation courses for this certification.

2. AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions

What It Is

AZ-400 is the exam required to earn the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification. It covers designing and implementing DevOps practices for infrastructure, CI/CD, security, and compliance.

What You’ll Learn

• How to integrate source control and implement continuous integration

• Strategies for automating deployments and scaling infrastructure

• Monitoring cloud environments and managing incidents effectively

Why It’s Important

Passing this exam is crucial for anyone aiming to specialize in Azure DevOps. It showcases your ability to manage full lifecycle DevOps processes in Azure environments.

Recommended Resources:

• Microsoft Learn: This free resource offers structured modules and practice tests.

• Udemy: The AZ-400 Exam Preparation Course is a highly rated resource for detailed exam preparation.

3. LinkedIn Learning: Azure DevOps for Beginners

What It Is

This LinkedIn Learning course is an excellent introduction for beginners to Azure DevOps, covering the basics of using the platform for continuous delivery, infrastructure management, and monitoring.

What You’ll Learn

• Setting up an Azure DevOps environment

• Managing code repositories with Git

• Implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure Pipelines

Why It’s Important

If you’re new to DevOps or just getting started with Azure, this course provides a solid foundation for understanding the tools and practices needed to succeed.

Recommended Resources:

• LinkedIn Learning Subscription: Offers access to this and thousands of other related courses.

4. Pluralsight: Azure DevOps Fundamentals

What It Is

Pluralsight offers an in-depth course that covers core Azure DevOps concepts, including project management, version control, and pipeline automation.

What You’ll Learn

• How to manage Azure DevOps organizations, projects, and teams

• Configuring CI/CD pipelines for automated builds and deployments

• Automating infrastructure with Terraform and Azure Resource Manager

Why It’s Important

For those who already have a basic understanding of DevOps, this course dives deeper into Azure-specific functionalities, preparing you for hands-on work with Azure projects.

Recommended Resources:

• Pluralsight Subscription: Provides unlimited access to this course and other DevOps-related content.

5. Azure DevOps Hands-On Labs

What It Is

Hands-on labs offer practical, real-world experience by simulating real tasks and challenges within Azure DevOps environments. Labs allow engineers to practice and test their knowledge in controlled scenarios that mirror actual job tasks.

Why It’s Important

Nothing beats hands-on experience when learning new tools. Labs allow engineers to practice and refine their skills by working on real-world problems, making them invaluable for both beginners and those preparing for certifications.

Recommended Resources:

• Brokee DevOps Assessments: Brokee offers real-world cloud-based assessments that simulate job environments, helping engineers practice hands-on Azure DevOps tasks and allowing companies to assess candidates' proficiency in real-time.

6. GitHub Learning Lab: CI/CD with GitHub Actions and Azure

What It Is

GitHub Learning Lab provides an interactive guide to integrating GitHub Actions with Azure for CI/CD pipelines. It's a great way to learn how to automate workflows and deployments using GitHub alongside Azure DevOps.

What You’ll Learn

• Automating code builds and deployments with GitHub Actions

• Integrating GitHub repositories with Azure environments

• Best practices for implementing automated workflows in cloud environments

Why It’s Important

With many organizations using GitHub for code management, this course equips you with the skills to merge GitHub's powerful automation tools with Azure's cloud infrastructure.

Recommended Resources:

• GitHub Learning Lab: Free access to interactive, self-paced courses.

Conclusion

Azure DevOps is a critical skill set for anyone entering the cloud engineering space, and mastering it requires both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

By leveraging the right training resources and certifications, you can position yourself for success in a competitive job market.