Career Path in Hybrid Cloud Security

It took me 8+ years of effort to become a Senior Security Engineer at Google (L5). I switched from fixing phones ➤ tech sales ➤ IT support ➤ DevOps ➤ Cloud ➤ Security. If I could talk to my younger self, this is the cheatsheet of skills I would hand him to progress faster and avoid years of confusion. And it’s the same map you see in the image. When I was fixing phones in 2018, this is what I should have learned: Junior Level: Start with the foundations – CIA triad – AuthN vs AuthZ – OWASP basics – SQL injection prevention – Firewalls, VLANs, DNS – IAM fundamentals – Basic logging – Nmap, Burp, Wireshark If you’re new or switching fields, this is your runway. Master it, don’t rush. When I moved into DevOps in 2021, these were the skills that actually levelled me up: Middle Level: – STRIDE, PASTA – Threat modelling – CSPM – IAM on AWS/GCP – Docker & Kubernetes security – SOAR basics – Automated patching – Zero trust fundamentals – Incident response fundamentals This is the stage where you stop “doing tasks” and start “thinking like an engineer.” When I finally made the jump to Google in 2024, I realised this was the bar at the top: Senior Level: – Zero Trust architecture – Identity at scale – Multi-region security – Certificate lifecycle – DDoS mitigation – Dependency risk management – EDR strategy – Audit & compliance mapping This layer is where you think in systems, not tools. This is where careers change. If you want to break into Security Engineering or DevSecOps in 2026: You don’t need 10 certifications. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to move up one column at a time. Junior → Middle → Senior. Green → Brown → Blue. Foundations → Cloud & Containers → Architecture & Governance. Forward motion beats perfect plans. Every time. If I can go from selling phones in a mall to an L5 Security Engineer at Google, you can do this too. -- Follow saed ‎for more & subscribe to the newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eD7hgbnk I am now on Instagram: instagram.com/saedctl say hello, DMs are open

Breaking into Cloud Security in 2025? Start Here The demand for cloud security professionals is rising but the skills gap is real.
(1 in 4 companies cite a cloud security skills shortage ~SC Media). I often get asked how to get started or pivot into cloud security. As a Cloud Security Engineer at a Fortune 500 organization, here’s exactly what I would do if I were starting from scratch today. Ten things I’d do to break into Cloud Security in 2025 👉🏾Start with your ‘why’ -> Why cloud security? What draws you to it more than other areas of cybersecurity? 👉🏾. Master the fundamentals -> Build a strong foundation in networking, IAM, encryption, and core security concepts. 👉🏾 Pick one cloud provider and go deep -> AWS, Azure, or GCP. The important thing is to understand the shared responsibility model, service offerings, & how things fit together.
I started with AWS towards end of 2020, & earned certifications like AWS CCP, CCSK, GCLD, KCNA, AWS Solutions Architect, AWS Security Specialty, Terraform associate & Microsoft SC-900. 👉🏾 Learn Infrastructure as Code (IaC) -> At the enterprise level, infrastructure is provisioned through code Terraform or AWS CloudFormation, not the console. 👉🏾 Understand DevSecOps practices -> Know how to use version control tools like GitHub or GitLab, and how security fits into CI/CD pipelines. 👉🏾 Learn a scripting language -> Python or Go can help automate security tasks. You don’t need to be a programmer, but the ability to script makes you much more effective. 👉🏾 Stay current -> Cloud tech evolves quickly. Stay updated on services, tools, threats, vulnerabilities, & best practices. 👉🏾 Develop your essential skills -> Communication, attention to detail, problem-solving, & collaboration are just as critical as technical skills. 👉🏾 Build your brand -> Share your learning journey & insights. Before transitioning into cloud security, I gave a cloud security talk & demo at the SANS CloudSecNext Summit. Sharing helps others & helps you stand out. 👉🏾 Keep learning on the job -> You’ll encounter new challenges, tools, & patterns constantly. You don’t need to know everything but you do need a learning mindset. P.s. What would you add to this list?
Are you starting your journey into cloud security or looking to grow deeper? I’d love to hear your approach. 
#cloudsecurity #cybersecurity #cloudcomputing #LIPostingDayApril #cloudsec

Azure Cloud Security Roadmap Here’s what job listings and vendors suggest: Azure Cloud Security roles follow a very clear pattern. When you analyze Microsoft role requirements and enterprise job postings, the same certification trunk and branches appear again and again. This post breaks down the most common Azure Cloud Security certification roadmap followed by professionals and used in real hiring scenarios. Let’s dive in 👇 1️⃣ Core Trunk Certifications The foundation for all Azure Cloud Security roles. • AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals ↳ Optional starting point for beginners. Covers cloud basics and shared responsibility. • SC-900 Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals ↳ Introduces Microsoft security, compliance, and identity concepts. • AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate ↳ Builds real Azure admin skills across compute, networking, storage, identity, and monitoring. • AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer Associate ↳ Core security cert focused on identity, network security, data protection, and threat monitoring. 2️⃣ Branch Certifications Choose based on your target role. SOC and Detection: • SC-200 Security Operations Analyst ↳ Threat detection, investigation, and response using Microsoft Defender and Sentinel. Identity and Zero Trust: • SC-300 Identity and Access Administrator ↳ Entra ID, Conditional Access, PIM, and Zero Trust design. Architecture: • AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert ↳ Secure, scalable Azure architecture and design decisions. Compliance and Data Protection: • SC-400 Information Protection and Compliance Administrator ↳ Data classification, DLP, insider risk, and regulatory controls. 3️⃣ Roof Certification • SC-100 Cybersecurity Architect Expert ↳ Top level certification validating end to end security architecture across Azure, identity, operations, and compliance. 📚 Final Thoughts Azure Cloud Security careers grow from strong fundamentals into focused specialization. This roadmap helps you avoid random cert chasing and build skills employers actually look for. 🔁 Share with someone planning an Azure cloud security career 💾 Save or screenshot this so you don’t forget. #AzureSecurity #CloudSecurity #MicrosoftCertifications #ITCareers

In 2026, the most valuable seat in the room belongs to the person who can bridge the gap between Identity, Operations, and Architecture. The industry is crowded with specialists who stay in their silos. But the real "insider secret" to a career that scales is understanding how these domains bleed into each other. True skilling is about building that bridge. If you are looking at the 2026 roadmap, look at it as a journey of increasing your strategic value: Phase 1: The Blueprint (AZ-900 & SC-900) This is where you learn the geography of the cloud. You aren't just getting certified; you are building the mental map required to see the vulnerabilities and opportunities that others miss. Phase 2: The Specialization (The Associates) This is where you choose how you want to impact the organization. Each path offers a unique perspective: • The Hunter (SC-200): Real-time threat response. • The Gatekeeper (SC-300): Mastering Identity as the new perimeter. • The Guardian (SC-400): Protecting sensitive data at the source. • The Builder (AZ-500): Hardening infrastructure from the ground up. Phase 3: The Visionary (SC-100) The Cybersecurity Architect Expert is the finale. This is for the person who has lived in the trenches and is ready to design the entire ecosystem. It’s where your technical skilling meets strategic leadership. The goal is to become the person who can connect the dots between them to protect the business with intent. 2026 Azure Security Certification Links Fundamentals • Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): https://lnkd.in/gkQ_SAep • Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900): https://lnkd.in/g_Mr7Emx Associate • Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500): https://lnkd.in/g_7JCSmC • Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200): https://lnkd.in/g4dxQEN8 • Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300): https://lnkd.in/g5C5ipkD • Information Protection Administrator Associate (SC-400): https://lnkd.in/gzZfcpSQ Expert • Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100): https://lnkd.in/ghYPsKNk