Data Administration and Database Management

Data Administrator and Database Administrator

• The roles of Data Administrator (DA) and Database Administrator (DBA) are crucial for effective data management in an organization.
• Computerized database management systems do not automatically guarantee proper data utilization. Effective solutions require skilled management.
• Introduction of a Database Management System (DBMS) can have a significant impact, potentially positive or negative, depending on administration practices.
• DBMS implementation involves technological, managerial, and cultural considerations.
• Technological aspects include DBMS software and hardware.
• Managerial aspects include administrative functions.
• Cultural aspects include potential resistance to change within the organization.
• Effective data administration demands a blending of technical and managerial skills.
• A diverse skillset within an organization is needed for successful data administration.
• The DA and DBA positions are responsible for managing and controlling aspects of the organization's data.
• The DA is focused on data administration goals, while the DBA focuses on data/user interactions.

Data Administrator (DA)

• The DA manages data sources and guides the database's development.
• This includes standards, policies, procedures, conceptual and logical database designs.
• The DA handles data originating from non-computer sources.
• The DA manages the flow and sharing of data within an organisation based on user requirements.
• The DA manages data usage relationships with upper management to meet the organizational objectives.
• DA tasks include assisting in the development of IS/IT strategy, creating an organization's data model, establishing data requirements, standardizing formats and collection methods.
• Determining data access authorization levels based on work needs is a crucial DA task.
• The DA designs conceptual and logical database schemas.
• The DA acts as an intermediary between upper management, DBAs, programmers, and users.
• The DA trains users on data standards and the responsibility of data security and confidentiality.
• The DA manages the data dictionary, creating security and data security policies.

Database Administrator (DBA)

• The DBA manages the physical database aspects, including application, design, and implementation.
• The DBA enforces data security and integrity controls.
• The DBA monitors system performance and organizes data within the database.
• DBA tasks are more technical than DA tasks and require specific skills and training in various DBMS packages and operating systems.
• The DBA is primarily responsible for developing and maintaining the database and database management system.
• The DBA assists in DA tasks.
• DBA tasks include evaluating and selecting DBMS products, developing and implementing logical and physical database designs, establishing security rights and integrity controls, and monitoring system performance.
• The DBA provides user support for the database and backs up systems.
• The DBA ensures data recovery mechanisms function effectively.
• The DBA oversees the development of database applications and ensures transaction controls operate correctly.

Major Differences Between DA and DBA

• The DA focuses on strategic planning and long-term organizational goals, while the DBA focuses on implementing these goals using specific DBMS products.
• The DA determines data requirements and designs the conceptual/logical database structure, while the DBA implements the physical structure based on the provided design.
• The DA is DBMS-independent, whereas the DBA depends on a specific DBMS for tasks.

Ethical and Legal Issues in Data Administration

• Questions regarding data ownership and usage are crucial and vary amongst different types of companies and organizations.
• Social media, search engines and web advertising firms, and financial institutions frequently collect data about individuals.
• Ethical data usage needs to follow correct conduct principles, theories or moral values. Data collection enables behavioral profiling, which may be exploited.
• Inadequately secured data collection practices can lead to identity theft.
• Data breaches in well-known organizations have led to stricter data handling regulations worldwide.

Ethical and Legal Policies and Guidelines

• Various ethical codes, including those from the ACM and BCS, guide data handling conduct and responsibility.
• Legal laws, such as SOX, HIPAA, the Basel II Accord, the EU Data Protection Directive, and the UK Data Protection Act, provide further guidelines related to data handling and protection.

Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)

• The PDPA, enacted in Malaysia, regulates the processing of personal data in commercial transactions.
• The Act controls data processing by persons in Malaysia or those using equipment within Malaysia.
• The PDPA mandates adherence to specified processing principles for personal data. The critical principles include: general principles, notice and choice, disclosure, security, retention, data integrity, and access.

Conclusion

• The DA manages, plans, and oversees data requirements for the organization, including customer needs.
• The DBA supports the DA by implementing the technical aspects of the determined requirements.
• Both roles are critical for maintaining the ethical and legal handling of data within any organization.