DevOps has set the field for many new job opportunities in this age, and so it also demands from its engineers- efficiency in certain skills to be productive and deliver to the best of their capabilities. DevOps is based on the principle of the merger of development and operations, and through this methodology, it aims to optimize the delivery as well as the working environment constantly.

The tools, practices, and technologies of DevOps are designed to cater to the client and improve customer satisfaction to its maximum. In models such as DevSecOps security also plays a very important role at every stage of development and operations. Integrated security enhances the product in terms of functionality and saves up time and resources at every stage. It also takes off the burden of security from a single team at the end of the process but is rather shared by teams which creates a better network. 

DevOps is based on the principles of Continuous practices like CI/CD, and practices such as these require a combination of skills to keep up with the needs of the times. It requires expertise in soft skills as well as technical skills to create an organized system. These skills are obtained through certification as well as through experience in the industry. These skills also come in handy in other professions in the field and prove beneficial in the long run.
 

Need for DevOps skills
 

DevOps has extensive reach in the IT industry and companies every day are adopting DevOps and getting better results in terms of productivity and delivery. According to research, most of the service-based companies have already started working with DevOps practices and prefer individuals with knowledge or experience with DevOps. (Source: LinkedIn) This popularity of DevOps is owed to its consistency and on-time delivery. The collaborative and communicative skills promoted by DevOps are important for a healthy working environment.  These practices also create a transparent work culture which improves employee satisfaction with the company and vice-versa. 

The In-demand DevOps skills require theoretical as well as practical knowledge of some very prominent concepts. Expertise in testing, operating systems such as Linux, scripting, and monitoring are some of the very basic skills that form the foundation of DevOps skills. These skills are required at almost every level of Project Management and integration. A DevOps engineer should also be equipped in threat management, vulnerability analysis, and debugging to create an efficient security system that is at par with the demands of the project. 
 

What are the most In-demand DevOps skills?
 

With the reach of DevOps in the market, there is a lot of rising competition in the job industry in recent times. There are a few skills that are more valuable out of a general lot of DevOps skills and we’re going to tell you some of the most In-demand DevOps skills in the corporate world. Expertise in these is guaranteed to enhance your resume and make you stand out of the crowd.
 

• Interpersonal skills
   

Interpersonal skills are the basis of establishing effective communication and collaboration among different Agile teams working in a DevOps environment. It is also required to deal with customers and to enhance the user experience. This results in customer satisfaction and improves the credibility of the company. Interpersonal skills create a healthy working environment which is one of the core principles of  DevOps, and by doing so enhance the productivity of the entire system. It creates a more organized and structured framework for professionals to operate in. 
 

• Automation development and testing
   

Automation is the core of DevOps. With DevOps, the aim is to reduce the wastage of time and resources and increase the speed of deployment. For this, automation is necessary at every integrative step and this builds an infrastructure that is thoroughly tested and faces fewer risks at the time of delivery. Automated testing reduces the workload and provides a consistent framework throughout. It creates a system that is equipped with security management and is not hindered by risks at the end of the process. 
 

• Management of security systems
   

Security is an essential part of Project Management and the success of a project is highly dependent on the security systems and networking at every stage. It is required throughout the process of development, during planning, integration, testing, and monitoring and it requires collaboration on the part of every team member to create a smooth workflow. The tools and technologies of DevOps promote automation of security systems and this skill leads to better management of security which in turn reduces the exposure to risks and threats in a continuous environment. 
 

• Expertise in operating systems
   

Operating systems are the one end of the DevOps systems and are extremely crucial for effective software development at all stages. Linux is probably the most compatible OS with DevOps but even expertise in others such as Windows, macOS are beneficial for a career in DevOps. One should be familiar with the tools and techniques of these operating systems and the level of compatibility that each one of them offers. Application development is also dependent on the operating system, so expertise in operating systems goes a long way in DevOps. 
 

• Coding and testing
   

A DevOps engineer has the responsibility to develop codes for effective pipelines and deployment throughout the process. Coding in different popular programming languages such as Python and JAVA gives you the upper hand in job interviews because it is the base for continuous pipelines, and CI/CD is the base for DevOps. 

Another skill that DevOps demands are efficiency in continuous testing so that analysis of risks and vulnerabilities is done in time and handled in time. Automation testing is a huge requirement for a DevOps environment to create a stable and organized pipeline that meets the needs of the project. 
 

• Continuous practices 
   

DevOps demands skills in continuous practices because it is the base of development and operations. From planning, designing, to testing, deployment, and monitoring, continuous practices are required to create an integrated development system. This system is the foundation of DevOps culture and upholds the principles of speedy and on-time delivery. 
 

• Cloud computing
   

Cloud computing refers to the sharing and management of data and resources in a way that does not require manual skills on the part of the engineer. It is designed to create a system that facilitates the faster delivery of services and enhances the productivity of the organization. Building infrastructure becomes easier and faster with efficient cloud computing, and this automation is also beneficial for the management of configuration. It improves the speed of command reception and execution and in turn, continuous delivery becomes faster. So, cloud computing is an essential skill in the DevOps environment. 
 

Role of a DevOps engineer
 

Apart from these skills, the role of a DevOps engineer requires the undertaking responsibility at every stage of development and operations. They play a role in building infrastructure and managing it, at every stage of planning, testing, and monitoring. It also requires them to be adept in security management because integrated security is a big part of DevOps. They should be skilled in vulnerability analysis, threat detection, and threat management to create a smooth working pipeline. Cloud management is also an integral part of DevOps engineering and requires configuration and optimization on their part. Expertise in different programming languages is preferred in a DevOps environment because a DevOps engineer is also responsible for coding and testing. 
 

DevOps prospects in IT career
 

As we’ve said, DevOps is an expanding industry and thus there are many job opportunities for aspiring individuals in the industry. From big to small companies, everyone is transitioning to DevOps, and so there is a place for individuals with fresh skills, and fresh attitudes. It is a great job profile in the IT industry and there are a lot of sources, online as well as offline offering certification in DevOps. These certifications can help you boost your confidence and polish your skills in a real-time environment and this experience will come in handy in the software industry in the long run.
 

Simpliaxis is one of the leading professional certification training providers in the world offering multiple courses related to DevOps. We offer numerous DevOps related courses such as DevOps Foundation® Certification Training, Docker and Kubernetes Certification Training, Continuous Testing Foundation (CTF)SM Course Description, Continuous Delivery Ecosystem Foundation (CDEF)SM Course Description, DevSecOps Foundation DSOF℠ Course Description  and much more. Simpliaxis delivers training to both individuals and corporate groups through instructor-led classroom and online virtual sessions.

References
 

https://www.applause.com/blog/skills-to-thrive-as-a-devops-engineer
https://www.upgrad.com/blog/devops-engineer-skills/
https://www.bmc.com/blogs/devops-engineer-roles-and-responsibilities/