What DBA are?

A database administrator (DBA) directs or performs all activities related to maintaining a successful
database environment. Responsibilities include designing, implementing, and maintaining the
database system; establishing policies and procedures pertaining to the management, security,
maintenance, and use of the database management system.
What do database administrators do?

Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized software to store and organize data, such as
financial information and customer shipping records. DBAs make sure that data are available to
users and are secure from unauthorized access. DBAs make sure that data analysts can easily use
the database to find the information they need and that the system performs as it should. DBAs
sometimes work with an organizations management to understand the companys data needs and
to plan the goals of the database. Database administrators are responsible for backing up systems
to prevent data loss in case of a power outage or other disaster. They also ensure the integrity of the
database, guaranteeing that the data stored in it come from reliable sources.
Responsibilities

Tasks may involve some or all of the following:

Establishing the needs of users and monitoring user access and security.

Monitoring performance and managing parameters to provide fast responses to front-end

users.

Mapping out the conceptual design for a planned database.

Considering both back-end organisation of data and front-end accessibility for end-users.

Refining the logical design so that it can be translated into a specific data model.

Further refining the physical design to meet system storage requirements.

Installing and testing new versions of the DBMS.

Maintaining data standards, including adherence to the Data Protection Act.

Writing database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the
data dictionary (metadata).

Controlling access permissions and privileges.

Developing, managing and testing back-up and recovery plans.

Ensuring that storage and archiving procedures are functioning correctly.

Agustn Paroli
Bases de Datos

2ID

2016

ITS

Capacity planning.

Working closely with IT project managers, database programmers and multimedia

programmers.

Communicating regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database
integrity and security.

Commissioning and installing new applications and customising existing applications in order
to make them fit for purpose.

Agustn Paroli
Bases de Datos

2ID

2016

ITS