A Database Management System (DBMS) is software that handles databases. It is sometimes simply referred to as “databases” or even “database server software” for simplicity. Gartner predicts a 16.8% compound annual growth rate for the DBMS market from 2022 to 2027.
DBMS offers various advantages over spreadsheets or text files. For instance, database security best practices through centralized access control and automated backup. Let’s delve into these aspects more.
Streamlined Management of Centralized Database Access Control
Centralized access control ensures role-based security, safeguarding confidential data and mitigating the risk of accidental data disclosure.
A special unit in the DBMS, known as the security and authorization subsystem, typically controls access to data. Database administrators use this module:
- to establish database roles;
- to allocate permissions to those roles based on the business requirements of a company;
- to register user accounts for centralized management of identities and permissions;
- to enable centralized password rotation policies;
- to add user accounts to essential roles based on internal business policies.
Ultimately, the business owner can ensure that most end users of the database application are only permitted to view specific records, while others may have the privilege to view and modify the entire database.
When a user attempts to access the database, the DBMS verifies login credentials for previous registration with these exact details (authentication process). If successful, it then checks the central location for the user’s role to determine permissions for viewing, editing, deleting, or creating data in the database (authorization process).
Streamlined Automated Database Backup Procedure
Backup is a data protection method that involves storing a separate copy of the original data. The primary goal is to maintain an additional copy of the data. This process generates a new, restored database or, more precisely, a “database copy at a specific point in time” on the server with a distinct name to prevent overwriting the original database. Subsequently, you can utilize the database copy as a substitute for the original or use it as a data source to update the original database.
Backups shield databases from user and software errors, accidental data deletions, and power outages.
Manually backing up databases for hours is inefficient and could be better spent on other business tasks. Automated backups eliminate this concern, ensuring the system doesn’t forget to run, unlike a human. You could receive regular emails confirming successful backups, new data since the last backup, and available storage space.
Every major DBMS includes a backup utility tool for configuring automated backups. Database administrators typically automate daily database backups. Additionally, they back up the transaction log at more frequent intervals, like every 15 to 30 minutes or even more often.
A transaction log file is a record of actions carried out by a database management system on the database. Its purpose is for database recovery, containing details about the start and end of each transaction, along with any updates made during the transaction.
The log includes the following information for each transaction:
- whether it began;
- whether it modified the value of the database item from old value to new value;
- whether it was not aborted and was permanently recorded in the database;
- Or it was aborted.
After the transaction is permanently recorded, the DBMS logs it as checkpoint states. In case of a database crash, recovery to the last state is possible using these checkpoints. Any aborted transactions after that state need to restart.
For instance, consider making a withdrawal at a cash machine:
- Read transaction: The system verifies if there is sufficient money in your account.
- Rolling back transaction: If there’s insufficient money in the account, the system aborts the transaction. Operations are undone, returning your account (or the database) to its initial state.
- Update transaction: If you have sufficient funds, the system deducts the requested amount from your account and dispenses the money.
- Create transaction: The system logs your details, the time, location, and the withdrawal amount.
In Conclusion
Every application connects to a database, handling vast and growing data. Ensuring data security and integrity is crucial. Optimal streamlining of all data flows is essential. Well-organized data enhances user experience, customer service, marketing, sales, and cost reduction.
The comprehensive functionalities provided by DBMS contribute to effective data management, security, and recovery, making it an indispensable tool in the realm of database administration.
