Cybersecurity Learning Odyssey:
Certification Quest
- AWS CCP ✓
- CompTIA Security+ ✓
- Google Cybersecurity Cert. by Coursera ✓
- Google IT support Cert. by Coursera ✓
- Intro to Splunk (Splunk) ✓
- Intro to Splunk Infrastructure Monitoring (Splunk) ✓
- Introduction to Ethical Hacking Cert. by GreatLearning ✓
- Introduction to Cyber Security Badge by Cisco ✓
- Introduction to Ethical Hacking Certification by MyGreatLearning ✓
My Journey to Earning the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) Certification: A Path of Curiosity and Understanding
When I first thought about pursuing the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) certification, I was unsure. It seemed like just another checkbox to tick off in my career—another credential that would probably just be a formality. I wondered if it was really worth the time and effort, especially with so many certifications floating around in the tech world. But as I continued to grow in my cybersecurity knowledge, I realized that the CCP would be more than just a certification—it would be a valuable stepping stone in my journey toward understanding cloud technologies and their applications.
The Initial Hesitation: Fear of Overwhelm
Much like with my Security+ journey, I initially overthought the process. I debated whether it was worth the effort, given the complexity of cloud technologies and the vast number of AWS services. The fear of not being prepared, of failing the exam. But as I looked into the CCP exam structure, I noticed it was designed for individuals who are new to cloud computing—people like me who had some foundational knowledge but needed a structured way to connect the dots between different AWS services.
In my case, the journey started not with formal study materials but rather a deepening interest in cloud computing. I found myself watching YouTube videos, reading articles, and exploring AWS offerings in a casual, self-driven way. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was slowly laying the groundwork for my eventual exam success.
Gaining Clarity Through Self-Directed Learning
The real turning point came when I sat down and reflected on what I had learned over the past few days. My understanding of cloud concepts had grown organically—though I hadn’t been actively studying for the exam. At this point, I realized that I might already know more than I thought. The study materials and practice exams that I’d been avoiding started to feel less intimidating.
I decided to take a different approach from the typical advice I had seen online. I didn’t dive into long courses or spend endless hours memorizing terms. Instead, I turned to YouTube videos and practice questions that focused more on the fundamentals. I knew that I didn’t need to memorize every detail. Instead, I needed to build a solid understanding of the core AWS services and their use cases. The goal was to ensure that I could differentiate between products like S3, EC2, and RDS and understand what problems they solved for businesses. That’s where the real value lay.
The Test: Confidence Through Preparation
The night before the exam, I was nervous—but not in the same way I’d been before other exams. This time, I wasn’t afraid that I hadn’t memorized everything. I knew that I understood the concepts, and I felt ready to tackle the test in my own way. The day of the exam, I woke up feeling confident. I had done everything I could in the few days leading up to the test to reinforce the knowledge I already had.
When I sat down for the exam, the questions felt straightforward. While I had some moments of uncertainty, my strategy of eliminating clearly incorrect answers helped me narrow down my choices. I finished the exam with around 30 minutes to spare, which gave me time to revisit a few tricky questions. The exam was less about memorizing exact definitions and more about understanding the general concepts behind each AWS service. For instance, knowing the difference between AWS Lambda and EC2 in terms of when and why you’d use them was more important than just recalling their technical specifications.
The Takeaways: Understanding Is Key
Passing the AWS CCP exam taught me several valuable lessons. First, I realized that true learning comes from understanding the material, not just memorizing it. It’s easy to get locked down by the details and the fear of forgetting something crucial. But the most important thing is to connect the dots between the services and understand why they exist and how they can solve real-world problems.
For example, differentiating between AWS services like EC2, S3, and RDS wasn’t just about memorizing names—it was about knowing what kind of applications or use cases each service was suited for. By understanding the “why” behind these services, I was able to make educated guesses when faced with questions about their use cases.
Another key takeaway was the importance of definitions. The exam really focused on understanding the terminology used in cloud computing. Whether it was defining what a VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) is or explaining what an availability zone is, being able to clearly define terms was crucial for success. This is where the hours spent going over study notes paid off—I had taken the time to truly internalize these definitions, which helped me breeze through the exam.
Looking Ahead: How This Will Benefit Me in My Cybersecurity Journey
Now that I’ve earned the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, I realize how much it will benefit me moving forward, particularly in my cybersecurity career. Many cybersecurity tasks and policies are deeply intertwined with cloud services, and having this foundational understanding of AWS will allow me to have more informed conversations with colleagues and clients alike. I can speak with confidence about the cloud solutions businesses are adopting and the cybersecurity considerations that come with them.
In addition, this certification lays the groundwork for further certifications. With the CCP under my belt, I can pursue more advanced AWS certifications, such as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect or the AWS Certified Security Specialty. The knowledge I gained from the CCP exam will be invaluable as I continue to deepen my understanding of cloud technologies and how they relate to cybersecurity.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Curiosity and Keep Learning
My experience with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification taught me a valuable lesson: curiosity and a genuine interest in the material are far more important than memorizing every detail. If you approach your studies with an open mind and a desire to understand the “why” behind the concepts, the certifications—and the knowledge—will come naturally.
Whether you’re new to cloud computing or already have experience in IT, don’t be afraid to embrace the learning process. Don’t worry about knowing everything—focus on understanding the concepts, exploring the services, and gaining hands-on experience. If you approach it this way, I’m confident that you’ll find success, just as I did.
For those of you who are considering the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, I highly encourage you to dive in with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. The road to the certification might not always feel straightforward, but it will definitely be worth it.
Took me a week!
Conclusion: The Ongoing Odyssey
My certification journey has been a great learning experience, but it’s only the beginning. This blog post only scratches the surface of what I’ve learned, emphasizing the importance of the evolving realm of cybersecurity. As I aim for more basic and advanced certifications, I’m eager to share my insights with fellow cybersecurity nerds. You can stay up to date with my progress on my LinkedIn!
