Career Profiles Database Administrator
A Database Administrator (DBA) is a specialist concerned with the design, performance, security, maintenance, and repair of databases for organizations. Thus, these professionals are concerned with the setting up of databases, ensuring efficient functioning of the same, ensuring that information is backed up concurrently so as to be available for use in the case of server downtimes or other glitches. Also to ensure that the organization’s proprietary information existing in such databases is not accessible by unauthorized persons as well as is secure from the threats of viruses, spyware, or other disruptive and harmful elements.
For becoming a Database Administrator, a person typically needs to have an MS degree in Management Information Systems (MIS). In the course of completing this degree, a DBA also learns about business functions in general as a prelude to familiarizing himself with the various typical office-wide demands on his skills across organizations.
Besides undergoing a full-time graduate study course to qualify as a DBA, this specialist also can further their value by certifying themselves in specific database software programs that are in vogue in the market. Examples of such popular and respected certifications that can also ensure an above average compensation for these specialists include Oracle database certifications, as well as being certified as a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA). MCDBA is, in fact, considered one of thehighest paying technical certifications.
In their day-to-day role as a DBA, these administrators tackle functions such as establishing the purpose for having an organization-wide database, who or which class of employees will access to this database, as well as to which other corporate systems will this database link to. Once they’ve established this, they need to plan out the design or structure of the database, in terms of organizing the data so as to ensure convenient access and retrieval of information, and the best way to display the data.
After finalizing on these parameters, they need to run experimental database designs to test their efficacy and identify any technical glitches inherent in these models, as well as collect feedback on the same from its users. Once a design has been approved and accepted, the administrators need to go through the process of transferring existing data to the database, as well as fill in new information.
Once the system is working on a real time basis, Database Administrators need to be involved in updating obsolete information, creating back-up copies of data for seamless access, as well as file and work on any reported errors apparent in the course of use. Last but not least, they need to ensure security of the database by using all currently prevalent and latest encryption and other protection standards to ensure the confidentiality and functioning status of data.
A person can start out, after undergoing the above-mentioned qualifications, as a Database Administrator, moving on to a strategic role within the company, such as MIS Manager, and eventually to the highest position reachable in this domain, that of Chief Technology Officer.
