How to Learn Cloud Computing

A structured path through Cloud Computing — from first principles to confident mastery. Check off each milestone as you go.

Cloud Computing Learning Roadmap

Click on a step to track your progress. Progress saved locally on this device.

Estimated: 32 weeks

Cloud Computing Fundamentals

2 weeks

Learn the core concepts of cloud computing including service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), deployment models (public, private, hybrid), and the economic benefits of moving from capital expenditure to operational expenditure. Understand how virtualization enables cloud services.

Explore your way

Choose a different way to engage with this topic — no grading, just richer thinking.

Explore your way — choose one:

Explore with AI →

AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials (free course)(free)Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure (Coursera)(free)'Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture' by Thomas Erl(free)

Networking and Security Basics

2-3 weeks

Understand cloud networking concepts including VPCs, subnets, security groups, firewalls, DNS, load balancing, and CDNs. Learn the shared responsibility model and fundamental cloud security principles including identity and access management (IAM).

AWS Networking Fundamentals documentation(free)Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) guidance documents(free)Microsoft Learn: Azure Networking modules(free)

Choose and Learn a Major Cloud Platform

4-6 weeks

Select one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and gain hands-on experience with its core services: compute instances, storage, databases, and identity management. Complete the provider's foundational certification to validate your knowledge.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam prep(free)Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) learning path(free)Google Cloud Digital Leader certification resources(free)

Linux, Scripting, and Command Line

2-3 weeks

Build proficiency with Linux system administration, bash scripting, and command-line tools essential for managing cloud resources. Learn to use cloud provider CLIs (AWS CLI, Azure CLI, gcloud) for resource provisioning and management.

Linux Academy / A Cloud Guru Linux courses(free)Official cloud provider CLI documentation(free)'The Linux Command Line' by William Shotts(free)

Containers and Orchestration

3-4 weeks

Learn Docker for containerizing applications and Kubernetes for orchestrating containers at scale. Understand container registries, pod management, services, deployments, and managed Kubernetes offerings like EKS, AKS, and GKE.

Docker official getting started guide(free)Kubernetes.io interactive tutorials(free)'Kubernetes Up and Running' by Brendan Burns et al.(free)

Infrastructure as Code and DevOps

3-4 weeks

Master IaC tools like Terraform and cloud-native alternatives (CloudFormation, ARM templates). Learn CI/CD pipeline creation, configuration management, monitoring, and logging. Understand GitOps workflows and automated deployment strategies.

HashiCorp Terraform tutorials(free)GitHub Actions documentation for CI/CD(free)'Terraform: Up and Running' by Yevgeniy Brikman(free)

Cloud Architecture and Design Patterns

3-4 weeks

Study cloud architecture patterns including microservices, event-driven architecture, serverless patterns, and the twelve-factor app methodology. Learn to design for high availability, disaster recovery, and cost optimization using well-architected frameworks.

AWS Well-Architected Framework documentation(free)Microsoft Azure Architecture Center(free)'Designing Data-Intensive Applications' by Martin Kleppmann(free)

Advanced Topics and Professional Certification

4-6 weeks

Explore advanced areas such as multi-cloud strategies, service meshes, edge computing, FinOps (cloud cost management), and cloud-native security. Pursue a professional-level certification (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, or GCP Professional Cloud Architect).

AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam guide(free)CNCF landscape and cloud-native trail map(free)'Cloud Native Patterns' by Cornelia Davis(free)

Explore your way

Choose a different way to engage with this topic — no grading, just richer thinking.

Explore your way — choose one:

Explore with AI →

← Back to Cloud Computing overview My Progress Focus Mode