Data is the new gold and as such, businesses need to invest in data management technologies to make their enterprise smarter, faster, and more productive.
Unfortunately, it’s not easy for IT teams to get all this information and handle the database needs themselves – which is where database administrators come in.
Database administration is becoming an increasingly essential skill due to the growing need for data management.
What is a database?
Databases are a large collection of information which is organised so that it can be accessed quickly. Databases can be made up of a wide range of information, from customer records to library catalogues.
A database is important because it allows workers to search for specific pieces of data quickly and efficiently. It also allows us to find connections between different pieces of data, or even find information about other databases that might contain the data we are looking for.
This helps us to break down difficult tasks into smaller, more manageable ones, as well as helping people who work in many different places at the same time.
What is a database administrator?
Database administrators (DBA) are in charge of designing, developing, and implementing database systems. They are also responsible for ensuring that the data stored on the database is available, secure, and has high performance.
Database admins should have a good understanding of relational databases and how to design them. They should also have skills in managing disaster recovery, back-up, and maintenance of databases.
They need to have familiarity with many programming languages, because each one has its own distributed database system. For example, Python scripts are typically used for data manipulation, whereas Java is used for NoSQL databases.
A good database admin should be able to maintain confidentiality with data by applying security controls, encryption, access management, and logging.
A DBA should also have experience with both relational and non-relational databases in order to keep up with emerging trends in technology that are shaping the landscape of data storage and management.
Why do you need a database admin?
As with any IT role, a database administrator has an important role in the company. They’re responsible for managing data storage and security compliance. Database administrators also keep track of how much storage each system has, and ensure that no single system impacts another system’s performance.
Without a DBA, your business may deal with data errors, data loss, and an inefficient use of data.
As a result, they have an important responsibility that cannot be replaced by any other position in the company.
Types of DBAs
Enterprise database administrator:
Manages databases within a company. They work closely with the business to ensure that information is accurate and secure.
Database administrator:
Uses tools such as Oracle Database Administrator or MySQL Administrator to manage the data from the operating system level to higher-level areas of concern, such as security and performance.
System database administrator:
Responsible for installing and configuring server-based computer networks in order to provide services such as emailing or web hosting.
Application database administrator:
The person who manages the computer programs that are used for storing data in databases. They are responsible for selecting, installing, configuring, and managing the databases.
Do you need a full-time or freelance DBA?
You might need a full-time or freelance DBA depending on factors like the size of your company, whether you are in need of someone with more expertise, and your budget.
Business factors to consider:
- Database design: When you need complex SQL queries.
- Backing up data: If you have customers with sensitive information, such as credit card information.
- Number of databases: If you have more than 10 databases in your company.
What to look for in DBA applicants
Hiring a database administrator is a difficult task. The candidate must be skilled in database management, software development, and network administration.
Applicants must have the necessary technical qualifications. This includes knowledge of databases and the programming language used. The person also needs to be trained in data modelling, security, backup and recovery, encryption, and managing large volumes of data.
Other factors to consider:
- Knowledge of SQL
- Experience with data modelling
- Experience with relational databases
- Experience with NoSQL databases
- Years of experience
- Troubleshooting experience
- Performance tuning experience
Questions to ask DBA candidates
There are a number of questions which you should ask when looking for a database administrator so you can find out if they are the right person for the job.
For example, you might want to know what DBMS they are more versed in or how they handle security risks. Asking about their previous experiences can also be helpful in making your decision.
- What are the best ways to prevent or manage data loss?
- What is your experience when it comes to performance tuning?
- What is your experience with SQL?
- What is your experience when it comes to database troubleshooting?
- What are the major responsibilities of a database administrator?
- What skills and qualities do you think are necessary for this job?
- What are your thoughts on database design?
- How do you deal with information security?
Talk to the database experts
Database administrators are the backbone of every organization. But how do you find them? And how do you know they’re the right fit?
With years of experience, Everconnect has all the database expertise and knowledge you need. Contact them today and talk to a database specialist about your business needs.
What do you do when your Database admin says he’s got skills in managing disaster recovery but when bad things actually happen he isn’t up to par? This is what happened to our firm recently and we had to bring in some outside help to fix a few critical issues. My question is: do we keep him on or look for someone new?
Do you offer all 4 types of DBAs? And can all these jobs be done by a single person or would we need 4 different admins for this?
We have 4 databases (currently) but we may soon extend to 6 and more and I don’t think our current Admin will be able to take care of everything needed. Do you work per project or have a monthly fee?
We always use a freelance DBA because costs are lower this way while also having the chance to test multiple DBAs and seeing which one fits best for our needs. This way we have found 3 very capable options we can use.