Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Exam

To configure cost-effective storage for data that is heavily analyzed initially and then rarely accessed, what should you do?

1. Create a bucket on Cloud Storage with object versioning configured.

2. Create a bucket on Cloud Storage with Autoclass configured.

3. Configure a data retention policy on Cloud Storage.

4. Configure a lifecycle policy on Cloud Storage.

The correct answer is: Configure a lifecycle policy on Cloud Storage.

To configure a cost-effective storage solution for data that is heavily analyzed initially and then rarely accessed later, implementing a lifecycle policy on Cloud Storage is an effective approach. A lifecycle policy allows you to automate the transition of objects to more cost-efficient storage classes as they age. For instance, data that is frequently accessed can be stored in a class like Multi-Regional or Standard, while after a specified time or under particular conditions, it can be automatically moved to lower-cost classes such as Nearline or Coldline. This process significantly reduces storage costs as the data becomes less frequently accessed over time, aligning with the need for lower-cost options for seldom used data. In contrast, while other options might contribute to data management, they do not address the need for a systematic approach to transition data storage classes based on access patterns. Creating a bucket with object versioning, for example, primarily helps in protecting against object deletions or accidental overwrites instead of responding to lifecycle management needs. Configuring Autoclass focuses on intelligent class assignment but lacks the explicit control and automation that a lifecycle policy offers for reducing costs over time. A data retention policy defines periods for data to be retained and managed but does not directly provide cost-effective transitions between storage options. Therefore, using