Explore a career in big data
Why is there a global shortage of tech professionals?
Meet the experts
Chris Hodson, CISO at Tanium describes the rate in which the tech industry is growing, yet why there is still a shortage of tech professionals.
A database is a structured set of data on a tech device that should be accessible in various ways.
A database administrator is an IT professional who installs, configures, upgrades, monitors and maintains the security of databases in a business.
They work closely with IT project managers, database programmers and operational team members to ensure database integrity and security.
Database administration roles can vary depending on the type of database, processes involved and the capabilities of the database management system that’s adopted.
A database adminstrator’s tasks include:
Monitoring user access
Responding quickly to front end users
Planning conceptual designs for future databases
Defining logical designs so they can be used in a specific data model
Ensuring database meets system storage requirements
Installing and testing
Ensuring adherence to the Data Protection Act
Writing database documentation
Managing permissions
Implementing back up and recovery plans
As a database administrator, you'll be responsible for the performance and security of the database
The role of a database administrator requires a broad arc of knowledge, including development, system administration and sometimes management.
Good communication skills are crucial for this role because the database administrator must communicate and present ideas across teams, with a working knowledge of all areas.
A database administrator is often the unsung hero of an IT department and should only be noticed when there are security breaches of company databases – the consequences of which can be far-reaching, so need to be resolved quickly and professionally.
The ability to work well under pressure is vital when dealing with the hundreds of different applications and systems most companies have as integral to the way they work.
The highest paying skillsets for database administrators are Linux, SQL, Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.
Starting salaries begin at £22,000 per year, with senior professionals, depending on what area they specialise in, earning £55,000+, so it’s a lucrative and rewarding career path to take.
To start out in database administration a candidate needs a working knowledge of SQL and database management systems such as relational, object-oriented and XML.
Previous experience in IT support, programming or web development is also looked for by prospective employers.
Professional certifications enable a database specialist to work their way up the career ladder, with Oracle certifications, in particular, being recognised around the globe.
