Overview
This intermediate-level course equips system administrators, operators, and IT professionals with the practical skills needed to operate, automate, and maintain cloud infrastructure on Amazon Web Services. Learners will explore key cloud operations tasks across access management, monitoring, scaling, security, networking, and cost optimisation—understanding how to apply these processes using AWS-native tools and services.
With an emphasis on automation, repeatable deployments, and maintaining secure, high-performance systems, this course helps participants confidently manage real-world AWS environments. Delivered over three days, the training includes hands-on labs, demonstrations, and group discussions designed to promote applied learning and collaborative problem solving.
Prerequisites
Participants should have:
- A background in systems administration or software development
- Experience using command-line interfaces (e.g. Linux shell scripting, cmd/PowerShell)
- A basic understanding of networking protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP)
- Completion of the AWS Technical Essentials course is recommended
Target audience
This course is designed for:
- IT professionals responsible for managing AWS resources and infrastructure
- System administrators and cloud operators aiming to improve operational practices
- Technical staff seeking to deepen their understanding of cloud automation and maintenance
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Identify AWS services aligned to Operational Excellence within the AWS Well-Architected Framework
- Manage access using AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), AWS accounts, and organisations
- Use AWS Systems Manager, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS Config to inventory and audit cloud resources
- Deploy and maintain infrastructure using tags, Amazon Machine Images (AMIs), and AWS Control Tower
- Automate infrastructure as code with AWS CloudFormation and AWS Service Catalog
- Operate resource lifecycles and apply patches using AWS Systems Manager
- Configure highly available systems with Amazon Route 53 and Elastic Load Balancing
- Implement scalable architectures using AWS Auto Scaling and Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling
- Monitor cloud environments with Amazon CloudWatch, including alarms, dashboards, and widgets
- Strengthen cloud security and track activities with AWS CloudTrail and AWS Config
- Establish secure and resilient Amazon VPC networks and connectivity
- Explain operational use cases for mountable and object storage (e.g. Amazon EBS, Amazon S3, Amazon S3 Glacier)
- Optimise cloud spend using AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Cost & Usage Report
Course Outline
Introduction to cloud operations on AWS
- Cloud operations fundamentals
- Overview of the AWS Well-Architected Framework
- Using the AWS Well-Architected Tool
Access management
- AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) fundamentals
- Managing resources and accounts with AWS Organisations
System discovery
- Interacting with AWS services
- Automating discovery with AWS tools
- Inventorying with AWS Systems Manager and AWS Config
- Hands-on lab: Auditing AWS resources
Deploy and update resources
- Tagging strategies for operations
- Deployment using AMIs and AWS Control Tower
Automate resource deployment
- Infrastructure as code with AWS CloudFormation
- Service-based deployment with AWS Service Catalog
- Hands-on lab: Infrastructure automation
Manage resources
- Using AWS Systems Manager for operational tasks
- Hands-on lab: Operations as code
Configure highly available systems
- Load balancing with Elastic Load Balancing
- Routing optimisation with Amazon Route 53
Automate scaling
- Using AWS Auto Scaling and Spot Instances
- Managing licensing with AWS License Manager
Monitor and maintain system health
- Monitoring workloads, infrastructure, and applications
- Hands-on lab: Cloud monitoring in practice
Data security and system auditing
- Building a strong identity and detection foundation
- Automating incident response
Operate secure and resilient networks
- Designing secure Amazon VPCs
- Extending and managing VPC connectivity
Mountable storage
- Configuring and sizing Amazon EBS volumes
- Managing snapshots and lifecycle with Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager
- Backup and recovery planning
- Hands-on lab: AWS Backup automation
Object storage
- Deploying Amazon S3
- Managing S3 lifecycle and cold storage with Amazon S3 Glacier
Cost reporting, alerts, and optimisation
- Enhancing cost awareness
- Enforcing controls for spend management
- Hands-on lab: CloudOps capstone exercise
Exams and assessments
There are no formal exams or certifications included in this course. An exam voucher for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate certification can be purchased separately. Learners will complete interactive labs and scenario-based tasks to demonstrate their understanding throughout the course.
Hands-on learning
This course features:
- Hands-on labs simulating real AWS environments
- Guided activities to automate, monitor, and secure AWS resources
- Group exercises and scenario discussions to reinforce collaborative problem-solving
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
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Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
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How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course.
Once you have purchased the Online course and have completed your registration, you will receive the necessary details to enable you to immediately access it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.