Introduction:

As cloud-native technologies become the backbone of modern IT infrastructures, securing the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in dynamic cloud ecosystems has never been more crucial. This growing demand has driven the rise of DevSecOps, a practice that integrates security into every stage of the DevOps pipeline. For cloud engineers, mastering DevSecOps is no longer optional; it is a key requirement to stay competitive and secure cloud operations.

With cybersecurity threats evolving and compliance requirements increasing, organizations are now actively seeking professionals who not only understand cloud architecture but also know how to secure it efficiently. Earning the best DevSecOps certifications tailored to cloud environments validates your skills and opens doors to high-demand roles in cloud security, engineering, and automation.

This blog explores the most valuable DevSecOps certifications for cloud engineers, what to expect from a comprehensive DevSecOps course, insights into the Certified DevSecOps Professional cost, and how to strategically select your certification path to future-proof your career.

What Is DevSecOps and Why Is It Critical for Cloud Engineers?

Defining DevSecOps in Simple Terms

DevSecOps stands for Development, Security, and Operations. It is a methodology that incorporates security at every phase of the development process starting from the planning phase through coding, building, testing, and deploying cloud applications. Rather than treating security as a post-development task, DevSecOps makes it a shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

Why Cloud Engineers Need DevSecOps Training

Cloud engineers work with scalable infrastructure, containerized applications, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and automation pipelines. This complex environment makes it easy for misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and compliance gaps to slip through undetected.

Here’s where DevSecOps training becomes crucial:

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Risk Mitigation: Automated IaC scans for vulnerabilities before provisioning cloud resources.
  
  

• Secure CI/CD Pipelines: Secure software delivery processes reduce risk from third-party tools or open-source libraries.
  
  

• Threat Modeling and Code Scanning: Continuous integration of automated security tools allows faster detection of flaws.
  
  

• Container and Kubernetes Security: DevSecOps practices help safeguard microservices deployed in orchestrated cloud environments.
  
  

Benefits of Getting Certified in DevSecOps

1. Validates Industry-Relevant Skills

Earning a DevSecOps certification proves you have hands-on expertise in integrating security across the CI/CD pipeline, securing cloud environments, and managing automated security tools like SAST, DAST, and SCA.

2. Boosts Career Opportunities and Salaries

According to a 2024 report by Global Knowledge, professionals with DevSecOps certifications earn 25 percent more than their non-certified counterparts. With roles such as Cloud Security Engineer, DevSecOps Engineer, and Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) in high demand, certification serves as a competitive advantage.

3. Aligns with Compliance Standards

Many DevSecOps certification programs include modules that teach compliance practices for frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC 2—making you more valuable to security-focused cloud teams.

Core Components of an Effective DevSecOps Course

When evaluating any DevSecOps course, especially as a cloud engineer, ensure it covers these foundational areas:

1. Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC)

• Threat modeling
  
  

• Secure coding standards
  
  

• Secure design principles
  
  

2. Security in CI/CD Pipelines

• CI/CD integration with security tools
  
  

• Vulnerability scanning in pipelines
  
  

• Shift-left security strategies
  
  

3. Container and Orchestration Security

• Securing Docker and Kubernetes environments
  
  

• Admission controllers and runtime policies
  
  

• Image vulnerability scanning
  
  

4. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Security

• Tools like Terraform, AWS CloudFormation
  
  

• Static analysis of IaC templates
  
  

• Drift detection and version control
  
  

5. Cloud-Native Security Tools

• AWS Security Hub, Azure Security Center
  
  

• Google Cloud Armor
  
  

• Cloud workload protection platforms (CWPP)
  
  

6. Monitoring and Incident Response

• Centralized logging and monitoring (e.g., ELK, Prometheus)
  
  

• Security information and event management (SIEM)
  
  

• Automated incident response workflows
  
  

Top DevSecOps Certifications for Cloud Engineers in 2025

Here are the best DevSecOps certifications recognized by cloud professionals and hiring managers alike. These certifications address the practical challenges engineers face while securing cloud-native architectures.

1. Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP)

Overview:

This certification is designed to demonstrate your practical knowledge of securing CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, containers, and cloud resources. It is ideal for hands-on engineers looking to implement real-world DevSecOps practices.

Skills Covered:

• Secure SDLC
  
  

• SAST and DAST tools integration
  
  

• Kubernetes security best practices
  
  

• Secrets management and policy enforcement
  
  

Certified DevSecOps Professional Cost:

The Certified DevSecOps Professional cost typically ranges from $300 to $600 depending on the learning path and exam bundle. It includes access to labs, assignments, and a final project assessment.

2. DevSecOps Foundation Certification

Overview:

This beginner-level certification provides a strong conceptual understanding of integrating security into DevOps. It is ideal for engineers who are new to the DevSecOps lifecycle and cloud-native security practices.

Skills Covered:

• Core DevSecOps principles
  
  

• Introduction to DevOps tools and security controls
  
  

• Collaboration models between Dev, Sec, and Ops teams
  
  

3. Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Certification

Overview:

This role-based certification focuses on cloud-native security across Kubernetes environments. It teaches engineers how to secure containers, pods, and orchestrator configurations in real time.

Skills Covered:

• RBAC, network policies, and admission control in Kubernetes
  
  

• Secrets management
  
  

• Securing container images and registries
  
  

4. AWS/Azure/GCP Cloud Security Certifications with DevSecOps Focus

Cloud providers have introduced security certifications that align with DevSecOps practices. While not labeled strictly as "DevSecOps certifications," they include core DevSecOps concepts for engineers working in public cloud environments.

Skills Covered:

• Cloud-native security services
  
  

• Continuous compliance monitoring
  
  

• Cloud infrastructure hardening
  
  

5. Offensive Security DevSecOps Certification (OSDC)

Overview:

This certification brings a red-team perspective into DevSecOps, teaching how to identify and exploit weaknesses before malicious actors can. It is suitable for experienced engineers looking to sharpen their offensive and defensive strategies.

Skills Covered:

• DevSecOps attack simulations
  
  

• Security misconfiguration exploitation
  
  

• Secure CI/CD remediation tactics
  
  

How to Choose the Best DevSecOps Certification for You

Assess Your Current Role and Experience

• Beginner: Start with DevSecOps Foundation Certification or introductory courses that teach concepts through diagrams and use-case walkthroughs.
  
  

• Intermediate to Advanced: Choose Certified DevSecOps Professional or Kubernetes-focused options that emphasize practical, hands-on labs.
  
  

Align With Your Cloud Platform

• AWS Engineers: Look for certifications that integrate AWS-specific security tools like AWS Config, Inspector, and Security Hub.
  
  

• Azure Engineers: Ensure Azure policies, Sentinel, and Defender for Cloud are included.
  
  

• GCP Engineers: Certifications that cover IAM, Shielded VMs, and Binary Authorization are valuable.
  
  

Consider the Certified DevSecOps Professional Cost

It is crucial to evaluate not just the Certified DevSecOps Professional cost but also the return on investment. Look for certifications that include:

• Hands-on labs
  
  

• Real-world project experience
  
  

• Resume-building opportunities
  
  

A one-time cost of $500 could lead to a six-figure role in DevSecOps, especially with the rising talent gap in the industry.

Tools You’ll Learn During DevSecOps Training

A well-rounded DevSecOps course introduces tools that are essential for securing cloud-native applications. Here are some key ones:

Real-World Example: DevSecOps in Action for Cloud Engineers

Scenario: Securing a Kubernetes-Based CI/CD Pipeline on AWS

A cloud engineer is tasked with deploying a microservices-based application using EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service). Here’s how DevSecOps is applied:

1. Code Scanning: Code is scanned using SonarQube for vulnerabilities before merging.
   
   

2. Container Security: Docker images are scanned by Trivy before being pushed to ECR (Elastic Container Registry).
   
   

3. IaC Security: Terraform scripts are analyzed by Checkov before provisioning.
   
   

4. Pipeline Guardrails: GitHub Actions includes policy checks before deployment.
   
   

5. Runtime Monitoring: Prometheus and AWS GuardDuty monitor container health and anomalies.
   
   

This is the type of hands-on experience that a DevSecOps course should simulate.

Key Takeaways

• DevSecOps is essential for cloud engineers aiming to secure CI/CD pipelines and cloud-native infrastructure.
  
  

• The best DevSecOps certifications combine practical labs with cloud-specific training and prepare you for job roles like Cloud Security Engineer and DevSecOps Architect.
  
  

• Certified DevSecOps Professional cost is a worthwhile investment given the high ROI in terms of salary growth and job opportunities.
  
  

• Real-world training matters look for a DevSecOps course that includes use cases, tools, and scenarios that match cloud engineering roles.
  
  

Conclusion

If you are a cloud engineer ready to elevate your career and play a critical role in securing the cloud, choosing the best DevSecOps certifications is your next step. Select a certification that fits your cloud environment, experience level, and budget and start securing what matters most.

Take the leap today. Master DevSecOps and become the cloud security expert every organization needs.