At a glance, a Database Administrator is focused on three things throughout their day: protecting the data, protecting the data and protecting the data. With the growing reliance on computers and database systems, businesses need these professionals to keep their electronic data safe, secure and well-managed.

What a typical day looks like:

Database Administrators perform a variety of daily tasks to make sure that everyone at their company is able to easily store, find and access information on their desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. They also make sure that anyone who shouldn’t have access to this information, which can include anything from payroll to vendor shipment dates, doesn’t have access to the information.

Database Administrators work closely with managers across the company to find out exactly what type of data is required to be collected and stored. They will then customize existing database solutions to match their company’s needs. Once a database has been developed, they will make sure that the data is secure by introducing security measures and making sure that data is secure from unauthorized access. Many databases contain personal or financial information, so this step is important. They also protect the company’s information by making sure the systems are backed up in case of a power outage or other disaster.

Before people start using a database, Database Administrators will help develop and introduce related policies and standards for employee use of these databases. They will also monitor a database system’s performance and usage to determine if any upgrades, changes or reorganization needs to take place.

While mainly working in an office setting, they will use specialized software, such as SAP, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle SQ, to store and organize their company’s critical data.

The kinds of problems Database Administrators solve at work:

Databases are often complex systems, so a minor error can cause major problems. For example, if a vendor’s payment information is mixed up in the system, it could cause someone to not get paid for their services. Database Administrators monitor a database’s performance and make note of changes, diagnose issues and fix minor errors before they become big problems.

Skills used most on the job:

Database Administrators need analytical thinking skills to organize large amounts of data into a meaningful pattern that’s easily used. They often work on teams, so they need strong communications and interpersonal skills as well. From a technical viewpoint, they understand database languages, the most common of which is Structured Query Language (SQL), which is used in programming and managing data.

Database Administrators work behind the scene to make sure that employees can easily find, access and store important data needed for their jobs. They make sure this information is protected, secure and efficient.

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