Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Exam

What is the correct approach for storing order-related files immutably for 365 days?

1. Enable object versioning and delete older versions

2. Set a retention period in a Cloud Storage bucket

3. Set a lifecycle policy for file deletion

4. Use object versioning with periodic deletions

The correct answer is: Set a retention period in a Cloud Storage bucket

Setting a retention period in a Cloud Storage bucket is the most appropriate approach for storing order-related files immutably for a duration of 365 days. When you configure a retention policy on a Cloud Storage bucket, you specify a time frame during which the objects must be kept. During this retention period, objects cannot be deleted or modified. This guarantees the immutability of the data, making it ideal for compliance, auditing, or other applications where data integrity and security are paramount. By using a retention policy, data is automatically protected from accidental or intentional deletions, ensuring that all order-related files are preserved for the entire specified duration. After the retention period ends, the objects can be deleted or modified as needed. This approach aligns with best practices for data governance and management, ensuring that critical business records are retained securely. Other options, such as enabling object versioning or setting lifecycle policies, provide different functionalities. Object versioning allows for the retention of multiple versions of an object, which complicates the immutability requirement, as individuals can still access and modify versions. Similarly, lifecycle policies can automate the deletion or transition of files but do not inherently enforce an immutable retention period, as they typically allow for objects to be deleted even within the retention window