Quick Answer
The answer is S3 Lifecycle configuration. This feature is correct because it allows you to define automated rules that transition objects between storage classes based on age, enabling you to move logs older than 90 days directly to S3 Glacier Deep Archive without manual intervention. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cost-optimization strategies through lifecycle policies, often appearing as a distractor against manual processes like S3 Batch Operations or object tagging. A common trap is confusing lifecycle transitions with S3 Intelligent-Tiering, but remember that lifecycle rules give you explicit control over timing and destination, while Intelligent-Tiering automates movement between access tiers but does not directly target Glacier Deep Archive. Memory tip: think of it as a “90-day escalator” — your logs ride the lifecycle policy down to the deepest archive floor automatically.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company stores log files in Amazon S3. They want to automatically move logs older than 90 days to S3 Glacier Deep Archive to reduce costs. Which S3 feature should be used?
S3 Intelligent-Tiering
Why wrong: Intelligent-Tiering moves to infrequent access tiers, not Glacier Deep Archive automatically.
S3 Lifecycle configuration
Lifecycle policies can move objects to Glacier Deep Archive after 90 days.
S3 Replication
Why wrong: Replication copies objects, does not change storage class.
S3 Object Lock
Why wrong: Object Lock prevents deletion, not transitions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
S3 Lifecycle configuration
S3 Lifecycle configuration allows you to define rules that automatically transition objects to colder storage classes, such as S3 Glacier Deep Archive, based on age. By setting a rule to move objects older than 90 days to S3 Glacier Deep Archive, you reduce storage costs without manual intervention. This is the correct feature for automating tier-based data lifecycle management.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
S3 Intelligent-Tiering
Why it's wrong here
Intelligent-Tiering moves to infrequent access tiers, not Glacier Deep Archive automatically.
S3 Lifecycle configuration
Why this is correct
Lifecycle policies can move objects to Glacier Deep Archive after 90 days.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
S3 Replication
Why it's wrong here
Replication copies objects, does not change storage class.
S3 Object Lock
Why it's wrong here
Object Lock prevents deletion, not transitions.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse S3 Intelligent-Tiering with lifecycle policies, but Intelligent-Tiering does not support age-based transitions to Glacier Deep Archive and is designed for unpredictable access patterns, not fixed retention schedules.
Detailed technical explanation
S3 Lifecycle policies are evaluated daily and apply to objects based on the object's creation date or the current date for current versions. The transition action moves objects atomically to the target storage class, and you can combine it with expiration actions to delete objects after a set period. In real-world scenarios, you must ensure that the minimum storage duration for S3 Glacier Deep Archive (180 days) is considered, as early deletion incurs a prorated charge.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
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Data Store Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: S3 Lifecycle configuration — S3 Lifecycle configuration allows you to define rules that automatically transition objects to colder storage classes, such as S3 Glacier Deep Archive, based on age. By setting a rule to move objects older than 90 days to S3 Glacier Deep Archive, you reduce storage costs without manual intervention. This is the correct feature for automating tier-based data lifecycle management.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This DEA-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DEA-C01 exam.
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