2025 AWS Certification Update: CloudOps vs. SysOps

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is retiring the SysOps Administrator – Associate certification in September 2025. Taking its place will be the new AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer – Associate certification. The shift from SysOps to CloudOps is another indication that cloud-first operations are here to stay, and that your IT professional skill set must evolve to keep pace. 

If you’re working toward certification or are already certified, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through what’s changing and how you can get ready.

What the CloudOps vs. SysOps Name Change Means

SysOps is a term originating from when IT administrators primarily managed servers and on-site systems. With the continuous shift to the cloud, your day-to-day work now looks completely different. Automation, scaling, and security are now the primary focus. That’s why AWS feels the name “CloudOps” is more fitting.

What Employers Want Now

System maintenance alone is no longer sufficient for most employers. What stands out now are skills in automation, infrastructure as code (IaC), security, and cost control in the cloud. AWS renamed the certification to put those abilities front and center for hiring managers.

What’s Changing with AWS Certification

The SOA-C02 exam is scheduled to be officially discontinued in September 2025. If you already hold this certification, you can continue using it until it expires naturally. Once it does, the AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer steps in as the new standard.

A New Focus for the Exam

The CloudOps exam puts the spotlight on the skills that you’ll likely be using every day. These include the following:

• Tracking system performance and tuning it when needed

• Automating work with tools such as CloudFormation and Systems Manager

• Securing workloads and staying compliant

• Managing scale and keeping costs in check

If You Already Hold a SysOps Cert

Your SysOps Administrator – Associate credential will remain valid until it naturally expires, and AWS will not revoke it prematurely. After that, the CloudOps Engineer certification is the next step.

Since the SysOps vs CloudOps shift brings new topics, you may need to update your study plan. There is now a greater focus on automation, scripting, and cloud governance. AWS has offered bridge exams or discounts before, so planning ahead is a smart move. Think about whether you’d rather renew early or wait and jump straight into the new certification.

Getting Ready for CloudOps

The CBT Nuggets Cloud Certification Playlist is a great place to start your prep. It gives you both beginner and advanced lessons, so you can build skills step by step and feel more confident with the new CloudOps topics.

What to Focus On

When registration opens on Sept. 9, AWS will publish updated guides and resources. In the meantime, keep your focus on the following fields:

• Automation and scripting with AWS CLI, SDKs, and IaC

• Monitoring and observability using CloudWatch, X-Ray, and similar tools

• Cloud governance and security through IAM, compliance, and cost control

• Driving efficiency with automation for scaling, patching, and backups

Why the CloudOps vs. SysOps Shift Matters

The CloudOps vs. SysOps changes are all about how IT is evolving. Now, success means building secure, automated, and scalable systems in the cloud.

For IT professionals, the takeaway is simple: get ready now. Whether you’re maintaining your current credential or aiming for the new one, CloudOps skills will help you stand out in a cloud-first job market. Start building those skills today. 

Want to try a CBT Nuggets course? Get a free 7-day trial today. Jump right into the tools and knowledge you’ll need for the CloudOps era.