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Choosing the Right AWS Storage Option for Compliance Needs
Learn how to select the best AWS storage option for infrequently accessed data while minimizing costs, focusing on compliance requirements.
A financial services company faces a common challenge: storing data securely while minimizing costs. Many candidates trip up on this question due to the nuances of AWS storage options. Let's clarify the best choice for this scenario.
The question
A financial services company wants to ensure that its data is stored securely while minimizing storage costs. They have a large amount of infrequently accessed data that must be retained for compliance reasons. Which storage option should they choose?
A. Amazon S3 Standard
B. Amazon S3 Intelligent-Tiering
C. Amazon S3 Glacier
D. Amazon EBS Cold HDD
Think before you scroll
Before making your choice, consider the access frequency and cost implications of each storage option. The company needs a solution for infrequently accessed data while ensuring compliance, which typically requires long-term data retention.
The answer
The correct option is C. Amazon S3 Glacier. This service is specifically designed for long-term archival storage of infrequently accessed data at a lower cost. It meets the compliance requirements while minimizing storage costs effectively.
Why the other options lose
A. Amazon S3 Standard: This option is not ideal for infrequently accessed data. It incurs higher costs compared to S3 Glacier, making it unsuitable for cost optimization in this scenario.
B. Amazon S3 Intelligent-Tiering: While this option automatically moves data between two tiers based on access patterns, it is better suited for data with unpredictable access. Since the data is infrequently accessed and needs to be retained for compliance, S3 Glacier is a more efficient choice.
D. Amazon EBS Cold HDD: This option is designed for infrequently accessed data in block storage but is not suitable for long-term data retention required in this case. EBS volumes are tied to EC2 instances and do not serve the archival needs effectively as S3 Glacier does.
The concept behind it
The key principle here is understanding the different storage classes in AWS S3. S3 Glacier is optimized for long-term storage of data that is rarely accessed but must be retained for compliance. Knowing when to use each storage class can save costs and ensure data is stored appropriately based on access patterns and requirements.
Exam trap to remember
Remember the compliance and cost pairing: for infrequently accessed data that must be retained for compliance, S3 Glacier is the go-to option.