An information technology professional who designs and maintains computerized databases is known as a data administrator. A data administrator’s main responsibilities include managing software and access authorization. In order to store information according to an organization’s needs, database software is frequently examined and tweaked. Monitoring and ensuring the software’s functionality is an important part of a data administrator’s job.
Data administrators, on the whole, decide how a database program should be set up and organized. They are frequently in charge of deciding which server and storage applications will be used to display data in a specific way. For instance, information about the various schools in a district could be searched name and address. The administrator is in charge of deciding what data is stored in the program and how it is organized.
Administrators must understand how database software interacts with computer hardware in addition to using their knowledge to configure and customize various database software programs. Many database programs allow users to access information via a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. One of a data administrator’s most common responsibilities is to ensure that database programs are accessible over a company’s network. An administrator and a network engineer can collaborate to increase and decrease network capacity as needed.
Databases and software can have issues with functionality at times. A data administrator is responsible for troubleshooting the system and determining the root cause of the error. Data administrators update and maintain systems on a regular basis, in addition to reactively fixing software programming errors. This may entail temporarily disabling the program’s functionality in order to apply upgrades and securely transfer the stored data.
The security of the information contained in the database is a major concern for any administrator. To protect against possible intrusions, data administrators collaborate with network system engineers. In addition to encryption technology, they may actively investigate and recommend potential firewall and intrusion detection software. By creating user names, passwords, and permissions, administrators are in charge of granting database access.
When a data administrator creates a user name, he usually gives them specific permission levels. Depending on the job function or status of the user, he may be able to change programs on specific computers within an organization. Permission levels can also be used to restrict access to information or software components for specific users. In an educational setting, for example, student users may be prohibited from altering any of the software on a computer.