1.
Explain the value of data in databases and discuss the key questions that
help determine whether data is valuable to record.
Data is valuable because it helps businesses and individuals make informed decisions,
improve efficiency, and enhance security.
Key questions to determine valuable data:
o Is the data relevant? Does it support decision-making?
o Is the data accurate? Is it free from errors?
o Is the data up-to-date? Does it reflect the most current information?
o Is the data secure? Can it be protected from unauthorized access?
o Is the data accessible? Can it be retrieved quickly when needed?
2. What are the five characteristics that determine the quality of data, and
how can you ensure that the data you record is useful and accurate?
Accuracy: Data should be correct and free from errors.
Completeness: All necessary information should be present.
Consistency: Data should not contradict itself across different databases.
Timeliness: Data should be up-to-date.
Validity: Data should conform to expected formats and rules.
Ensuring Useful and Accurate Data:
o Use data validation techniques (e.g., format checks, range checks).
o Implement verification methods (e.g., double entry, proofreading).
o Regularly update and clean the database to remove outdated records.
3. Describe the different threats to database protection and explain the tools
and techniques that can be used to protect a database from these threats.
Threats to Database Protection:
o Unauthorized access: Hackers or employees accessing data without
permission.
o Data corruption: Errors caused by system failures or software bugs.
o Data loss: Accidental deletion, hardware failure, or cyberattacks.
o Malware attacks: Viruses, ransomware, or trojans compromising data
security.
o SQL injection attacks: Hackers inserting malicious SQL queries to
manipulate data.
Protection Methods:
o Authentication: Using usernames and passwords for secure access.
o Encryption: Encoding data so that only authorized users can read it.
o Backups: Storing copies of data to recover lost information.
o Firewalls and anti-malware software: Protecting against cyber threats.
o Access control: Restricting user permissions based on roles.
4. What is data validation, and how does it help ensure the accuracy and
consistency of data in a database? Provide an example of how data validation
could be applied in a real-world scenario.
Data validation ensures that data entered into a database is correct and meaningful. It
prevents errors by checking input values before they are stored.
Types of Data Validation:
o Range check: Ensures values fall within a specified range (e.g., age must be
between 0 and 120).
o Format check: Ensures data follows a specific pattern (e.g., email format
must contain '@').
o Presence check: Ensures required fields are not left blank.
Example: When entering a student’s birthdate in a school database, a validation rule
can ensure that the date is not in the future.
5. Differentiate between data verification and data validation. What are the
two main methods of data verification, and how do they ensure data
accuracy?
Data validation checks whether data is reasonable and follows the correct format
before it is entered into a database.
Data verification ensures that data entered matches the original source and is not
altered incorrectly.
Two main methods of data verification:
1. Double entry: The same data is entered twice and compared for discrepancies.
2. Proofreading: A person manually checks the data for errors.
Ensuring accuracy: These methods help prevent mistakes caused by human error or system
glitches, ensuring the stored data is correct.
6. How does data warehousing contribute to data integrity and security in
databases, and what potential security risks does it introduce?
Data warehousing stores large amounts of structured data from different sources in a
centralized system. It helps businesses analyze trends and make informed decisions.
Benefits for integrity and security:
Ensures consistency by collecting data from multiple databases.
Provides backup and recovery options.
Uses encryption and authentication to protect data.
Potential security risks:
Data breaches: Hackers may target large data warehouses.
Data redundancy: Storing duplicate data can lead to inconsistencies.
Unauthorized access: If access control is weak, sensitive data may be exposed.
7. What is access control in database management, and what are the three key
ways to manage and control user access to a database? Provide examples of
how each method is used in practice.
Access control restricts database access to authorized users only.
Three key ways to manage user access:
1. Role-based access control (RBAC): Assigns permissions based on user roles (e.g., a
cashier can only enter sales data, while a manager can view reports).
2. Discretionary access control (DAC): The database owner grants access rights to
specific users (e.g., an HR manager gives payroll access only to HR staff).
3. Mandatory access control (MAC): Restricts access based on classification levels
(e.g., government databases where only certain officials can view confidential data).
Each of these methods ensures that sensitive data is protected while allowing users to perform
their job functions effectively.
