I have extensive experience in designing and normalizing databases to ensure data integrity and efficiency. My approach involves understanding the business requirements, identifying entities and relationships, and applying normalization techniques to eliminate redundancy. For example, I recently designed a database for a healthcare system, where I normalized the schema to the third normal form, ensuring that each piece of data was dependent on the primary key and reducing data duplication.

I approach performance tuning by first identifying bottlenecks through monitoring and profiling tools. Once identified, I optimize queries, indexes, and database configurations to improve response times. For instance, I reduced query execution time by 50% for a financial services client by restructuring indexes and optimizing SQL queries. Regular maintenance, such as updating statistics and reindexing, is also crucial for sustained performance.

I implement a comprehensive backup strategy that includes full, differential, and transaction log backups. This ensures that data can be recovered to any point in time. I also conduct regular disaster recovery drills to validate the effectiveness of the backup and recovery processes. For example, I recently led a recovery effort where we restored a database from a point-in-time backup within an hour, minimizing downtime and data loss.

I ensure data security by implementing role-based access control, encrypting sensitive data, and regularly auditing database activities. Compliance is maintained by adhering to industry standards and regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA. For example, I implemented encryption for patient data in a healthcare database, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations and protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access.

I have successfully managed several database migrations and upgrades, ensuring minimal downtime and data integrity. My process includes thorough planning, testing in a staging environment, and a phased rollout. For instance, I led the migration of a legacy database to a new platform, which involved data mapping, scripting, and extensive testing to ensure a smooth transition without data loss.