In the past, database administrators weren't expected to do much with security. Their focus was on the speed, performance, and accuracy of the data. Security was a relatively low priority. Recently, however, that prioritization has begun to shift.
The number of structured information stores is mushrooming within the enterprise. The value of the data increases as businesses share it with customers and partners. Regulators and auditors are taking a hard look at who has access to database information. And financially motivated hackers are salivating at the prospect of breaking into these concentrated -- and potentially lucrative -- repositories of data.

All of these trends are converging to form one universal truth of data protection: DBAs can no longer ignore security. Like their administrative counterparts in Windows and networking environments, DBAs must finally knuckle down and count security as a vital part of their jobs.

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