HCIP vs HCIE Cloud Service Solutions Architect: Which Huawei Cloud Certification is Right for You?

Choosing the right cloud certification can be the difference between growing your career as a technical expert and stepping into a role as a strategic enterprise leader. Huawei offers two standout certifications in this space: the HCIP-Cloud Service Solutions Architect (H13-821) and the HCIE-Cloud Service Solutions Architect (H13-831). While both focus on cloud architecture and migration, they target different levels of expertise, career goals, and responsibilities. Understanding the differences between them will help you decide which certification best aligns with your professional journey.

What is HCIP-Cloud Service Solutions Architect?

The HCIP (Huawei Certified ICT Professional) level is designed for cloud architects who want to master the essentials of cloud architecture design and operations.

Key Focus Areas

●Traditional Enterprise Architectures – Computing, storage, networking, databases, and security.

●Cloud-Native Architectures – Microservices and modern application frameworks.

●Migration Skills – Moving enterprise applications from traditional setups to Huawei Cloud.

●O&M Solutions – Designing and managing Huawei Cloud operations effectively.

●Innovation & Solutions – Applying Huawei's cloud innovations to solve business challenges.

Who should take it? 

Professionals with some experience in cloud technologies who want to strengthen their skills in cloud architecture design and Huawei Cloud operations.

What is HCIE-Cloud Service Solutions Architect?

The HCIE (Huawei Certified ICT Expert) certification is a step higher. It's aimed at professionals who want to become enterprise-level cloud experts and strategists.

Key Focus Areas

●Top-Level Cloud Design – Planning enterprise migrations to the cloud.

●Application Migration Strategies – Balancing scalability, performance, security, and cost.

●Advanced Data & Container Management – Data migration, containerized reconstruction, and hybrid deployments.

●Cloud O&M & Optimization – Continuous improvement for efficiency and cost management.

●Industry Best Practices – Solutions for government, enterprise, and industry-specific use cases (e.g., gaming).

Who should take it? 

Senior architects, consultants, and IT leaders looking to design, optimize, and lead complex cloud transformation projects.

Which Huawei Cloud Certification is Right for You?

Choose HCIP if you are

●A cloud professional seeking hands-on design and O&M skills

●Transitioning from traditional IT to cloud solutions

●Looking to strengthen your technical expertise before advancing to expert level

Choose HCIE if you are

●An experienced architect ready for enterprise-level challenges

●Leading or consulting on large-scale cloud migrations

●Interested in industry-specific best practices and advanced strategies

Career Impact

HCIP helps you land roles like Cloud Solutions Architect, Cloud Engineer, or O&M Specialist. 

HCIE positions you for senior roles such as Enterprise Architect, Cloud Consultant, or Cloud Transformation Leader.

Both certifications are recognized globally, but HCIE gives you a clear edge when targeting leadership positions in digital transformation projects.

Both HCIP and HCIE Cloud Service Solutions Architect certifications are valuable steps on the Huawei Cloud career path. If you’re starting or building your technical foundation, HCIP is the right entry point. If you're aiming for enterprise-level leadership and strategy, HCIE is the certification that sets you apart.