Database administrator - what kind of profession?

A database administrator is a specialist who is responsible for developing requirements for various organization databases. He is engaged in the design, efficient use, maintenance of integrity and maintenance of the repository. The administrator manages the records of the accounting type and organizes a system of protection against unauthorized use of the information in the database. A detailed description of this specialty is set in the professional standard “Database Administrator”, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation No. 647n of September 2014. Specialty Code 40064.

Administrator Tasks

The streams of transmitted information play an important role in the modern world. All data is systematized in certain groups - bases. An administrator is a person who provides qualified management of these bases, including their comprehensive protection. Due to the connection of any processes taking place in organizations, this profession is very much in demand on the market.

The main tasks of the database administrator is to ensure uninterrupted operation of all equipment located in the organization (networks, servers and other electronics). The specialist’s activity includes the implementation of certain algorithms for processing and distribution of the entire amount of information at the enterprise (its maintenance and scheduling), which will allow to continuously extract and use the necessary information if necessary.

The database administrator is a specialist who, most of the time, is engaged in the maintenance of a ready-made information system. But in some cases, other tasks are set before him as part of the work process:

• design and development of flowcharts and databases;
• development of necessary requirements;
• standardization of data warehouse performance;
• formulation of rights for access and basic regulations;
• copying databases in backup mode and restoring them;
• definition of the format of user accounts;
• investigation of options for using database protection against unauthorized intrusions into the system;
• development of options for preventing hardware-type errors and software failures in order to maintain the integrity of the data volume;
• providing the ability to quickly switch to an updated version of the database management system.

General Administrator Responsibilities

The job description for the database administrator provides for the implementation of a large number of activities related to the information system in the organization. Any instruction includes several general points that are characteristic of any kind of information managers.

1. Conducting continuous copying of information databases in standby mode. In the case of permanent data storage in case of problems with servers or networks, all data from the information database can be easily restored (or most of it).
2. Regular software updates. Information arrays are often processed not by one program, but by a whole complex of maintenance-oriented software. Therefore, with a constant software update, the database administrator requires knowledge of the features of various software services, protocols (network), as well as programming skills in different computer languages. In addition, each administrator must be able to independently write a utility that is required in his activities.

Specific Responsibility Groups

Work as an administrator involves performing, in addition to general duties, one of five groups of specific functions:

• ensuring the smooth functioning of data systems;
• optimization of the work of information databases;
• prevention of data loss damage;
• provision of databases with various security measures;
• management of expansion and development of information bases.

Work on ensuring the functioning of the database (databases) includes the following responsibilities.

1. Copying information from the database in standby mode.
2. Recovery of information from the database.
3. Managing options for access to infobases.
4. Installation, configuration of database management software.
5. Analysis of events that occur during the operation of databases.
6. Logging and fixing events that occur during the processing of information in the databases.

Optimization of the work of information databases includes the following responsibilities:

• analysis of the operation of databases, collection of statistical information on the operation of information databases;
• optimization of redistribution of computational data that interact with databases;
• rationing the performance of infobases;
• optimization of elements of computer networks that interact with databases;
• optimization of the implementation of queries to infobases;
• optimization of life cycle control, which is stored in information systems.

The prevention of data corruption and loss includes the following responsibilities.

1. Development of provisions for copying information databases in standby mode.
2. Monitoring compliance with backup provisions.
3. Development of plans for backing up infobases.
4. Development of procedures for creating information copies of data in a backup automatic mode.
5. Implementation of data recovery procedures after data collapses.
6. Analysis of failures occurring in the system, identification of the causes of violations.
7. Development of instructions and guidelines for database maintenance.
8. A study of the functioning of hardware and software databases.
9. Setting up the functioning and operability of infobases.
10. Development of proposals for the modernization of supporting software and hardware.
11. Assessment and analysis of the risks of failures in the operation of information databases.
12. Development of ways to automatically reserve infobases.
13. Development of procedures for the introduction of hot-swappable data modes.
14. Reporting on the operation of databases.
15. Consulting for users in the operation of information databases.
16. Development of proposals in the field of advanced training of employees.

Providing databases with various security measures includes the following responsibilities:

• development of a database information security strategy;
• monitoring compliance with information security measures at a basic level;
• optimization of the functioning of the system in the field of security at the database level;
• audit of the information system and protection of databases from external threats;
• drawing up regulations that contribute to the security of information data systems;
• improving the security system to reduce the burden on the functioning of information systems;
• preparation of reports and reports on the performance and state of security systems in information media and storages.

Managing the expansion and development of infobases with data includes the following responsibilities.

1. Analysis of problems in the system for processing information in databases and development of proposals for the development of prospects in the operation of databases.
2. Drawing up regulations for updating software system databases, databases in new software options and their combination with new platforms.
3. Studying and putting into practice new options and ways to work with information databases.
4. Tracking updates of infobase options.
5. Tracking the implementation of information repositories and their compatibility with new platforms and new software versions.
6. Development and creation of the structure of units, the development of personnel reserve.

Problem Oriented Administrator

A problem-oriented database administrator is a specialist who deals with solving problems that arise in the process of functioning of a database system. The sources of occurrence of such problems can be various. This may be inaccuracy of data, lack of demand, unreliability of production processes and so on.

A problem-oriented administrator identifies and structures internal and external problems. Identified problems are analyzed, after which options for solving them are put forward.

Most often, an administrator focused on solving problems is involved in work in the event of emergency situations, when a quick qualified analysis of the situation and the search for a solution are needed.

In most cases, a problem-oriented administrator performs the duties of a network administrator during non-crisis times and works with databases and connecting network users in an organization.

If a crisis occurs, the administrator first of all analyzes the availability of resources for the organization to solve the problem from the inside out, checks the possibility of using new technologies to overcome the crisis and predicts how much time the organization will need to solve the problem.

The algorithm of the activity of a problem-oriented network manager is as follows:

• analysis of the situation;
• identification of specific problems that arose at the time of the crisis;
• identification of the entity authorized to solve such problems;
• analysis of solutions to the problem with the calculation of financial costs;
• determination of projected terms for the restoration of the pre-crisis situation;
• the actual solution to problems if all of the above actions and calculations are approved by management.

Performance analyst

The functions of the database administrator in the field of performance analytics are to analyze the functioning of the database and develop new methods for solving problems identified during the analysis. The responsibilities of a performance analyst are as follows:

• analysis of errors in the structure of the system and its constituent parts;
• the search for weaknesses in the reliability and performance of programs at each level, including problems with hardware in network interaction and the logic of the system;
• development of scripts that process various heterogeneous data on the operation of programs and computers (a stream of search queries, information on debugging equipment, network traffic, etc.);
• selection of the most important information, presentation of data in a form suitable for analysis;
• developing new approaches to collecting and classifying system performance data;
• increase in the degree of automation, autonomy and reliability of analytical tools, their improvement;
• creating readable and easy-to-develop code;
• creating new ways to solve performance problems, developing architectural concepts, participating in increasing the reliability of data systems;
• programming network applications.

System Data Warehouse Administrator

The administrator of the data warehouse performs more practical work, which is associated with the settings of the database systems and the debugging of failures arising from its use.

The duties of the data warehouse administrator are as follows:

• administration of an automatic telephone exchange;
• maintenance of remote and local servers, networks and storages;
• setting up local servers, Internet restrictions, servers with remote access, creating a network common to all users;
• server management;
• maintenance of equipment in working condition;
• setting up terminal access for users (if necessary);
• organization of network boot computers;
• setting up a workplace for employees;
• assisting in the installation of low current systems;
• small repair of office equipment and computers;
• technical and software user support.

Administrator Requirements

To the general requirements, the professional standard under the code 40064 includes the availability of technical higher education. Some employers also require cyber education. This is due to the fact that the work of the administrator includes the construction of a structured model of the database, as well as the writing of appropriate programs.

In addition to having an appropriate education, the following are important requirements:

• the ability to analyze the needs for information management of various departments in the organization;
• the skills to test new products of the program, which are developed by departments and units of the organization;
• the ability to take the initiative in developing new algorithms and methods for storing data, in developing technologies for using information to increase the productivity and productivity of the predicted result;
• experience in the development of techniques to interact with the user of information databases.

Learning outcomes

Despite the average salary, serious requirements are imposed on the database administrator upon release. These include the following:

• understanding of the nature and purpose of the work of various types of architectures of information bases;
• the ability not only to design, but also to optimize the structure of information systems;
• high level of qualification in the field of application of algorithms that provide security inside the system and its protection from external threats;
• knowledge of programming languages, modeling and markup, the ability to use them;
• ability to use languages ​​of queries to infobases.

Continuing education courses

For people who own the profession of administrator in the field of information databases, there are many types of courses to improve the qualifications in this area. Such courses are conducted on the basis of scientific or educational institutions, which provide a large amount of additional knowledge and skills in the field of information base administration.

Specialties in which you can improve the skills of a database administrator are:

• development of models of information arrays;
• architect of information network databases;
• administrator in the field of the database for the 1C program in various areas;
• network administration;
• Microsoft SQL Database Administrator
• management of information storage processes.

Admin salary

The work of the administrator of infobases does not imply a partial employment due to the specifics of the work. The full computerization of society led to the fact that even during the crisis, the demand for qualified personnel in the field of network administration did not fall. Most of all, administrators are required in metropolitan cities.

According to the analysis of the situation, the average level of salaries of specialists in the field of information administration was revealed in the country.

According to the results of 2017, it was found that the salary of the database administrator is expressed in the following figures:

• Moscow - from one hundred ten to one hundred and sixty thousand rubles;
• St. Petersburg - from seventy-seven to one hundred thousand rubles;
• in the regions - from forty to seventy five thousand rubles.

In some regions, wages are set below the average, but after an employee improves his skill level, he grows. The profession of an administrator is distinguished by the fact that any increase in the level of knowledge and the acquisition of new skills most often has a positive effect on wages.

Working as a database operator has many advantages. First of all, the informatization of society provokes a constant increase in demand for information specialists. In addition, network work enables continuous self-development without the involvement of unauthorized persons.