Database accountability: Who is primarily responsible for the design, definition, security, and operational control of a company's database?

Introduction / Context:
A database underpins applications, analytics, and reporting. Clear ownership is required for schema design, access control, performance, backup/recovery, and policy compliance. The role tasked with these responsibilities is well-established in IT organizations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The organization uses centralized or distributed databases for operations and analytics.
• Security, performance tuning, and integrity are ongoing duties.
• Audit functions review but do not operate databases day to day.

Concept / Approach:
The Database Administrator (DBA) plans and maintains the logical and physical design, manages users and privileges, optimizes queries and storage, and ensures resilience through backups and replication. While EDP/IS auditors evaluate controls, and professional associations set standards, the DBA executes and enforces database policies operationally.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard IT role definitions place design and control of databases with DBAs, often in collaboration with data architects and platform engineers.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• DBM/DPMA: acronyms for management/associations, not the operational custodian.
• EDP auditor: evaluates controls; does not own daily administration.
• None of the above: incorrect because DBA is correct.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming developers own production databases; in mature environments, DBAs manage production controls and reliability.

Final Answer:
DBA