Database Administrator

Definition of Database Administrator

Database Administrator: A database administrator (DBA) is a professional who is responsible for the design, creation, installation, monitoring and maintenance of a database. DBAs are also responsible for ensuring that the database is available to users and that data is accurate and secure.

What does a Database Administrator do?

A Database Administrator (DBA) is a job role responsible for the installation, maintenance, monitoring and performance of databases. This includes ensuring that the database software is up to date, secure and running smoothly. The DBA will create, configure and manage databases; create user accounts and assign permissions; monitor system performance; set backup parameters; investigate security incidents; troubleshoot issues with queries, applications or users; audit internal processes and policies; design data models or schema; optimize queries for improved performance; test new database products or technologies; advise on best practices for data storage and retrieval. In addition, DBAs will often provide 24/7 support to ensure that any outage or issue can be caught before they become critical. To be successful in this role, one must have an excellent understanding of relational database concepts as well as solid technical skills. A good working knowledge of SQL scripting techniques is essential in order to properly query the database and generate reports. Strong communication skills are also required since DBAs often have to coordinate with other IT professionals such as developers, system administrators and users. It’s also important for a DBA to stay informed about the latest trends in technology so they can make sure their databases are up-to-date with the latest features available from their vendor.