- A
Export the logs to Amazon S3 and use S3 Glacier Deep Archive for long-term storage.
This is correct because S3 Glacier Deep Archive provides the lowest-cost long-term storage for logs that are infrequently accessed, making it cost-effective for 5-year retention.
- B
Set a log retention policy of 5 years on the CloudWatch Logs log groups.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because CloudWatch Logs storage is more expensive than S3 for long-term retention; exporting to S3 is more cost-effective.
- C
Disable log retention and let CloudWatch Logs keep the logs indefinitely.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because disabling retention will cause logs to be automatically deleted after the default retention period (90 days), failing the compliance requirement.
- D
Use AWS CloudTrail to store the logs for 5 years.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail logs API calls, not application logs from EC2 instances.
DOP-C02 CloudWatch Logs Retention Policy Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and logging. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: cloudWatch Logs Retention Policy. 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 uses Amazon CloudWatch Logs to store application logs from EC2 instances. The security team requires that logs be retained for 5 years for compliance. Which action should be taken to meet this requirement cost-effectively?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Export the logs to Amazon S3 and use S3 Glacier Deep Archive for long-term storage.
Option A is correct because exporting logs to Amazon S3 and using lifecycle policies to transition them to S3 Glacier Deep Archive is the most cost-effective way to retain logs for 5 years. S3 provides low-cost storage, and Glacier Deep Archive offers the lowest storage cost for long-term archival, making it ideal for compliance requirements. In contrast, retaining logs in CloudWatch Logs beyond a short period is more expensive due to higher storage costs. Option B is incorrect because setting a 5-year retention policy in CloudWatch Logs incurs significant costs compared to exporting to S3. Option C is incorrect because disabling retention causes logs to expire after 90 days, not indefinite. Option D is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail captures API activity, not application logs.
Key principle: CloudWatch Logs Retention Policy
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Export the logs to Amazon S3 and use S3 Glacier Deep Archive for long-term storage.
Why this is correct
This is correct because S3 Glacier Deep Archive provides the lowest-cost long-term storage for logs that are infrequently accessed, making it cost-effective for 5-year retention.
Related concept
CloudWatch Logs Retention Policy
- ✗
Set a log retention policy of 5 years on the CloudWatch Logs log groups.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because CloudWatch Logs storage is more expensive than S3 for long-term retention; exporting to S3 is more cost-effective.
- ✗
Disable log retention and let CloudWatch Logs keep the logs indefinitely.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because disabling retention will cause logs to be automatically deleted after the default retention period (90 days), failing the compliance requirement.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to store the logs for 5 years.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail logs API calls, not application logs from EC2 instances.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CloudWatch Logs Retention Policy
- S3 Lifecycle Policies
- S3 Glacier Deep Archive
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
CloudWatch Logs Retention Policy
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cloudWatch Logs Retention Policy, then practise related DOP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Monitoring and Logging — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Monitoring and Logging — This question tests Monitoring and Logging — CloudWatch Logs Retention Policy.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Export the logs to Amazon S3 and use S3 Glacier Deep Archive for long-term storage. — Option A is correct because exporting logs to Amazon S3 and using lifecycle policies to transition them to S3 Glacier Deep Archive is the most cost-effective way to retain logs for 5 years. S3 provides low-cost storage, and Glacier Deep Archive offers the lowest storage cost for long-term archival, making it ideal for compliance requirements. In contrast, retaining logs in CloudWatch Logs beyond a short period is more expensive due to higher storage costs. Option B is incorrect because setting a 5-year retention policy in CloudWatch Logs incurs significant costs compared to exporting to S3. Option C is incorrect because disabling retention causes logs to expire after 90 days, not indefinite. Option D is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail captures API activity, not application logs.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Review cloudWatch Logs Retention Policy, then practise related DOP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CloudWatch Logs Retention Policy
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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