Week 10

Tutorial Database Administration and Security

1. Define dirty data and identify some of its sources

Ans Dirty data refers to the data that contains inaccuracies, incompleteness,
or inconsistency.

* **Human error: The human nature of data entry means that people make
many mistakes, including typos or spelling errors.
* **Data entry errors: Data entry errors are mainly caused by the
transferring of data from one system to another or manually entering it into
a database.
* **Data integration errors: The data integration errors are present when
the data from various sources are merged and the data is not properly
cleaned and standardized.
* **Data corruption: There are three major causes of data corruption:
hardware and also software malfunctions, as well as the natural disasters.
* **Malicious attacks: Malicious attacks can corrupt the or delete the data,
or they may introduce false data into a system.

Poor quality data can affect the quality of the data analysis and decision-
making. It may result in wrong conclusions, which may result in squandered
time and resources, and even losses.

A name of a customer is spelled wrong in the database.

The price of a product is keyed in *erroneously* wrong.
A date is entered in the wrong format.
* There is a missing street number in the a customer’s address.
A database has a duplicate record.

These are some of the many forms of the dirty data that can be found. It is
very critical to recognize the origins of the dirty data in order to take
measures to prevent it from entering into your systems.

2. What is data quality, and why is it important?

Ans Data quality is a measure of the accuracy, completeness, consistency
and also timeliness of the data. It is very important as it affects the quality
of the decisions that rely on such data.

* **Accurate data:Correct data guarantees that the decisions are made

using reliable information.
* **Complete data:Complete data makes sure that all the necessary
information is obtainable for making the decisions.
* **Consistent data:Consistency of the data makes sure that the data is
consistent in all the systems and sources.
* **Timely data:The timeliness of the data means that the decisions are
made based on the latest information available.

* Improved decision-making
* Increased efficiency
* Reduced costs
* Improved customer satisfaction
* Enhanced reputation

* Incorrect decisions
* Wasted time and resources
* Financial losses
* Damaged reputation

* Develop the data quality standards and processes.

* Apply data validation tools and techniques.

Inform the employees about the significance of data quality.

One of the key attributes to any successful data-driven organization is the

data quality. Organizations that invest in the data quality are able to make
much better decisions, increase the efficiency of operations, reduce costs
and also increase customer satisfaction.

3. Suppose that you are a DBA. What data dimensions would you describe
to top-level managers to obtain their support for endorsing the data
administration function?

Ans As a DBA, I would describe the following data dimensions to top-level

managers to obtain their support for endorsing the data administration
function:
 * **Cost savings: The costs can also be reduced through data administration
since better decision-making is made possible which leads to the fewer
mistakes. Data management can also help in ensuring the data protection,
which reduces the likelihood of breaches and also expensive occurrences.
* **Improved efficiency: ** Proper data management can result in to an
efficient process as it will organize the activities for managing the data and
reduce the time used in searching and recovering the data. Data
management can also support the data governance that ensures the
consistent application of the data throughout the enterprise.
* **Increased revenue: ** Data management can help to increase the
revenues through the customer satisfaction and also loyalty. Data
administration can also greatly increase the quality of the product and
services, which leads to higher sales.
* **Reduced risk:** By means of the improved data security and
governance, the risk can be reduced through the data management. The
data administration can also make the data compliance much easier by
complying with the relevant regulations.
* **Improved decision -making: Data management increases the efficiency
in decision-making, since top-level managers can acquire the important data
in time and with a high accuracy level. Data management is also very
capable of promoting the standardization and efficiency in the utilization of
the data within a given organization.

As a result, by informing the top-level managers about these components of

the data, I can prove to them that this function of data administration is
very important and might benefit an organization as one. This may help in
gaining their support as I advance in the information management role.

4. What special considerations must you take into account when introducing a
DBMS into o an
Organization.
Ans * **Data security: The DBMS must provide security for the data against
any unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or
deletion.
* **Data integrity: ** The DBMS has to guarantee the accuracy,
completeness, and also the consistency of the data.
* **Data availability: The DBMS must provide the authorized users with the
data they need, when they need it.
* **Performance: The DBMS should be capable of processing the data of an
organization in an effective and timely manner.
* **Scalability: The DBMS should be very scalable to accommodate the
organization’s increasing data requirements.
* **Reliability: The DBMS should be very resilient to the hardware and
software failures.
* **Cost: The DBMS should be very cost effective to the organization.
* **User acceptance: The DBMS should be very user-friendly and also
intuitive for the users of the organization.

* **Change management: The implementation of a DBMS will result in the

modification of the organization’s many processes and procedures. It is very
critical to control these changes properly to reduce the disruption.
* **Training: ** User training will be required for the DBMS. Training should
be sufficient enough to enable the users to use the DBMS efficiently.
* **Support: The organization will require access to the support from the
DBMS supplier or a competent third-party provider.

By considering all of these factors, the organizations can ensure that the
implementation of a DBMS is very effective.
5. Describe the DBA's responsibilities
Ans The DBA's responsibilities typically include:

* **Database design and development: The DBA collaborates with the

developers and also other stakeholders in designing and in developing new
databases and in altering the existing databases to meet the organization’s
needs.
* **Database administration: ** The DBA has day-to-day database
administration responsibilities, which include the performance tuning,
security management, backup and recovery, and also data integrity checks.
* **Data modeling:The DBA designs the data models that depict the
organization’s data in a logical and also organized manner.
* **Data governance: The role of the DBA is to create and implement the
data governance policies and procedures in order to ensure that the data is
managed uniformly and efficiently throughout the organization.
* **Data security: ** The DBA is tasked with securing the organization’s
data from the unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification,
or destruction.
* **Data quality management:
* **Database performance tuning: The DBA also ensures that the databases
used by the organization perform very well and makes changes to optimize
performance where necessary.
* **Database backup and recovery: The DBA is in charge of making the
copies of the organization’s databases and also restoring data in case of a
hardware or software failure.
* **Database migration: The DBA is in charge of moving the organization’s
many databases to new hardware, software, or cloud systems when
necessary.

Besides all these technical duties, the DBA may also be tasked with the user
and developer training and support, as well as collaboration with other IT
professionals to ensure the proper utilization and optimization of the
organization’s data.
6. Why and how are new technological advances in computers and
databases changing the
DBA's role.
Ans Modern innovative progresses in computers and databases are
changing the DBA's part in a number of ways:

* **Mechanization:
** Modern innovations are mechanizing numerous of the assignments that
DBAs customarily performed physically, such as database reinforcement and
recuperation, execution tuning, and information keenness checks. This is
often liberating up DBAs to center on more vital errands, such as
information administration, information modelling, and database plan.
* **Cloud computing:
** The rise of cloud computing is changing the way that DBAs oversee
databases. DBAs are presently responsible for overseeing databases that are
facilitated within the cloud, which needs a distinctive set of aptitudes and
information than overseeing on-premises databases.
* **Huge information:
** The developing volume and assortment of information that organizations
are collecting is making modern challenges for DBAs. DBAs must presently
be able to oversee and analyse expansive and complex datasets, which
needs specialized aptitudes and apparatuses.
* **Fake insights (AI) and machine learning (ML):
** AI and ML are being utilized to create unused instruments and methods
for overseeing and analysing information. DBAs must be commonplace with
these modern innovations and how they can be utilized to move forward
the productivity and viability of information administration.
As a result of these changes, the DBA's part is getting to be more vital and
specialized. DBAs must presently have a profound understanding of
information administration innovations and best hones, as well as solid
trade insight and communication abilities.

**How DBAs can adjust to the changing part:

**

* **Create unused aptitudes and information:

** DBAs ought to create modern aptitudes and information in ranges such
as cloud computing, huge information, AI, and ML.
* **Ended up more strategic:
** DBAs require to gotten to be more vital in their considering and center
on how information can be utilized to make strides the organization's
decision-making and execution.
* **Collaborate with other IT experts:
** DBAs have to be collaborate more closely with other IT experts, such as
designers, information researchers, and security experts, to guarantee that
information is overseen and utilized successfully over the organization.

By adjusting to the changing part, DBAs can proceed to play a imperative

part within the victory of their organizations.

7. Protecting data security, privacy, and integrity are important database

functions. What
activities are required in the DBA's managerial role of enforcing these
functions?

Ans
The DBA's managerial role in enforcing data security, privacy, and integrity
includes the following activities:

* **Developing and enforcing data security policies and procedures: The

DBA designs and implements the policies, procedures, standards,
guidelines, and controls to safeguard organizational data against
unauthorized access; use; disclosure; disruption; modification or
destruction.
* **Managing user access to data: The DBA oversees the user access to the
data, such as granting and revoking permissions, as well as monitoring the
activity.
* **Implementing data encryption: The DBA shall undertake the data
encryption to safeguard the data at rest and in transit.
* **Performing regular security audits: ** Security audits are conducted by
the DBA to detect and mitigate any potential weaknesses in the
organization’s data security strategy.
* **Educating users about data security: The DBA is supposed to educate
the users on data protection best practices and also their need to take care
of their personal information.

In addition to these activities, the DBA may also be responsible for:

* **Incident response: The DBA may have to design and implement an

incident response plan in the case of data security incidents.
* **Disaster recovery:The DBA can be in charge of creating and enforcing a
disaster recovery plan that ensures the availability of the data in case of an
emergency.
* **Compliance:** Compliance with the relevant laws and regulations of
data management practices is always the responsibility of the DBA.
These activities can assist the DBA in ensuring the data security, privacy and
also integrity for the organization.

8. Identify and explain some of the critical success factors in the

development and
implementation of a good data administration strategy

Ans
Critical success factors in the development and implementation of a good
data administration strategy include:

* **Executive support: Thus, data administration is a very strategic function

that calls for the top management’s support. If there are no executive
sponsors, then the resource allocation and authority power will not come
from nowhere.
* **Clear goals and objectives: The data administration strategy should
have specific aims and objectives that are consistent with the overall
business goals of the organization. These goals and objectives must be very
SMART.
* **Strong leadership: The data administration function must be headed by
a strong and experienced person who is capable of skilfully creating and also
orchestrating an effective data administration program.
* **Involvement of stakeholders: ** The data administration strategy needs
to involve the stakeholders from around the organisation in its development
and also implementation. This will ensure that the strategy is in line with
the business needs and also has a wide support within the organization.
* **Communication and training: Good communication and training are
very necessary for the proper implementation of a data administration
strategy. All the stakeholders should be informed about the strategy and its
effects on their operations. Training should be offered to make the
stakeholders acquaint with their many duties and obligations under the new
strategy.
* **Continuous improvement: The data administration strategy should be
revised periodically so that it remains very relevant to the organization’s
needs. The strategy must also be flexible enough to respond to the changes
in the business environment.

Using these key drivers for success, organizations can thus improve the
probability of generating and also implementing an effective data
administration strategy.