All About Azure Government Training Resources

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Today I was reading Steve Michelotti's article about government training and I tried to add some extra input from my end.Nowadays, we can’t imagine our world without cloud computing. We use cloud computing daily if we use the Internet. Without it, there would be no Facebook, no Twitter, no Gmail. Basically, cloud computing means "a type of Internet-based computing," where different services - such as servers, storage and applications - are delivered to an organization's computers and devices through the internet.

Uses of cloud computing

Here are a few of the things we can do in the cloud.

Create new apps and services
Store, backup, and recover data
Host websites and blogs
Stream audio and video
Deliver software on demand
Analyze data for patterns and make predictions

Benefits of cloud computing

Adaptable: Cloud computing allows for adaptable programs and applications that are customizable, while allowing the owners control over the core code.
Multi-tenancy: Cloud software offers an opportunity to provide personalized applications and portals to several customers or tenants.
Reliable: Because it is hosted by a third party, businesses and other users have greater assurance of reliability, and when there are problems, easy access to customer support.
Scalability: With the Internet of Things, it is essential that software functions across every device and integrates with other applications. Cloud applications can provide this.
Secure: Cloud computing can also guarantee a more secure environment, thanks to increased resources for security and centralization of data.

Types of cloud services

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) - A computer infrastructure, such as virtualization, being delivered as a service. IaaS is popular in the data center where software and servers are purchased as a fully outsourced service and usually billed on usage and how much of the resource is used
Platform as a Service (PaaS) - A computing platform being delivered as a service. Here, the platform is outsourced in place of a company or data center purchasing and managing their own hardware and software layers.
Software as a service (SaaS) - A method for delivering software applications over the Internet, on demand and typically on a subscription basis. With SaaS, cloud providers host and manage the software application and underlying infrastructure and handle any maintenance, like software upgrades and security patching.

Microsoft and cloud computing

Microsoft is a leading global provider of cloud computing services for businesses of all sizes.

Deploy anywhere with your choice of tools: connecting cloud and on-premises with consistent hybrid cloud capabilities and using open source technologies—for maximum portability and value from your existing investments.
Protect your business with the most trusted cloud: Ninety percent of Fortune 500 companies trust the Microsoft Cloud and so can you. Azure helps protect your assets through a rigorous methodology and focus on security, privacy, compliance and transparency.
Accelerate app innovation: Build simple to complex projects within a consistent portal experience using deeply-integrated cloud services, so you can rapidly develop, deploy and manage your apps.
Power decisions and apps with insights: Uncover business insights with advanced analytics and data services for both traditional and new data sources. Detect anomalies, predict behaviors and recommend actions for your business.

If you have the desire to learn more about cloud computing, check out these training resources,

Azure Government Video Library

This video library contains many helpful videos to get you up and running with Azure Government. This video library will contain many helpful videos to get you up and running with Azure Government. Currently. This video library is the place to go to catch up on all the content you may have missed. The searchable library will also feature short screen cast videos to help developers get comfortable with Azure Government quickly and easily

Pluralsight

On-demand technology learning platform. A variety of video training courses for software developers, IT administrators, and creative professionals through its website. Excellent quality learning, constantly kept up-to-date with new and refreshed courses, excellent user interface. Great added functionality and reporting to help develop and monitor your skills.

Azure.com Training

Landing page of training resources for Azure. Follow a guided path to build practical job skills you can start using right away. Learning paths include beginner, intermediate and advanced level courses with multiple learning options. Build expertise and advance your career with Azure certification. Whether you are new to Azure or already a cloud professional, level up your skills and gain opportunities for career advancement.

Microsoft Virtual Academy

Free online training on the latest Microsoft technologies. With hundreds of IT training courses to choose from, Microsoft Virtual Academy makes it easy to find what you need- totally free of charge! Microsoft Virtual Academy provides free online training by world-class experts to help you build your technical skills and advance your career. Make it your destination of choice to get started on the latest Microsoft technologies and join this vibrant community.

Channel 9

Platform for developers and tech enthusiasts within Microsoft who operate a site devoted to conversations. Channel 9 is a Microsoft community site for Microsoft customers created in 2004. It hosts video channels, podcasts, screencasts and interviews. This made it an inexpensive alternative to Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference, then the main public platform where customers and outside developers could speak to Microsoft employees without the intervention of the company's PR department. The Channel 9 team has produced interviews with Bill Gates, Erik Meijer and Mark Russinovich.

Lynda

Subscription-based online learning platform Lynda.com is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Through individual, corporate, academic, and government subscriptions, members have access to Lynda.com video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts.

Open edX

Free massive open online courses. Open edX is the open source platform that powers edX courses. Through our commitment to the open source vision, edX code is freely available to the community. Institutions can host their own instances of Open edX and offer their own classes. Educators can extend the platform to build learning tools that precisely meet their needs. And developers can contribute new features to the Open edX platform. The Open edX platform is a free--and open source--course management system (CMS) that was originally developed by edX. The Open edX platform is used all over the world to host Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as well as smaller classes and training modules.

Azure Gov DC User Community

Join this community of industry and government professionals interested in sharing best practices for driving cloud innovation in government. Visit the below sites to join our community and learn more!

Azure Gov DC Meetup
Join us for monthly Meetup events in Washington, DC. This is a group for anyone modernizing government IT. More specifically, this group is for anyone interested in Cloud Computing, Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Open Source, Cyber Security, Government Security & Compliance as well as Azure for Government. We will invite start-ups, partners, practitioners, government innovators, MVPs and Microsoft product engineers alike to share their latest and greatest in government IT modernization. Bringing real world lessons directly to our DC Government Innovator community.