Database administration is a critical service that involves managing and maintaining databases to ensure they operate efficiently, securely, and reliably. A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for various tasks, including:

1. Database design and implementation: Designing and creating databases to meet the needs of an organization, including determining the structure, schema, and indexing.

2. Performance tuning: Monitoring database performance, identifying bottlenecks, and optimizing queries and indexes to improve efficiency and response times.

3. Backup and recovery: Implementing backup and recovery strategies to safeguard data against loss or corruption, and ensuring timely restoration in the event of a disaster.

4. Security management: Implementing security measures such as access control, encryption, and auditing to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or breaches.

5. Monitoring and troubleshooting: Monitoring database activity, diagnosing and resolving issues, and implementing preventive measures to avoid future problems.

6. Capacity planning: Estimating future growth and resource requirements, and scaling the database infrastructure accordingly to accommodate increasing data volumes and user loads.