Amazon Web Services (AWS)—and cloud computing in general—can be difficult for people without technical backgrounds to decipher. This introductory course is a bridge between non-engineers and the cloud. It is the first in a four-part series designed to help professionals in non-technical roles, including finance teams, project managers, and marketers, make the best use of AWS. Instructor Hiroki Nishimura—author of Intro to AWS for Newbies—provides a brief history of cloud computing, an overview of cloud deployment models, and a summary of cloud design principles. She then shows how to create an account and start using the AWS Free Tier to gain hands-on experience with AWS products and services. If you are interested in going deeper with AWS, watch the chapter on AWS certifications, which can validate your expertise.

Note: This course also maps to the Cloud Concepts module of the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. Taking all four courses in the Introduction to AWS for Non-Engineers series will help you prepare for the exam. (Author: Hiroko Nishimura)