databaseadministrator

A database administrator, commonly abbreviated as DBA, is an IT professional responsible for the installation, configuration, operation, and maintenance of database management systems. DBAs ensure data is stored securely, remains highly available, and remains accurate and accessible for authorized users and applications. They may work with relational or non-relational databases in on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments.

Core duties include performance monitoring and tuning, implementing backup and recovery strategies, enforcing data security and access controls, and managing schema changes. DBAs also plan capacity, conduct data migrations, apply patches and upgrades, and establish disaster recovery procedures. They collaborate with developers, system administrators, data architects, and business stakeholders to support data-driven applications and reporting.

Common tools and platforms include major relational database management systems and cloud services. Proficiency typically requires SQL and procedural extensions, scripting for automation, and familiarity with monitoring, logging, and incident response. A DBA should understand data governance, privacy requirements, and basic data modeling concepts such as normalization and indexing.

Qualifications vary, but many DBAs hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Professional certifications, such as Oracle Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, or AWS Database Specialty, are valued. The role offers avenues toward database architecture, data engineering, or IT operations leadership.