Google PCA Manage implementation of cloud architecture Practice Question
A company wants to store customer transaction logs for 7 years for compliance. The logs are accessed rarely but must be retrievable within 24 hours. Which storage option is most cost-effective?
⚠ Common exam trap
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that Coldline is the cheapest storage class, but Archive class actually has the lowest storage cost, with retrieval times up to 24 hours, making it the correct choice for rarely accessed data with flexible retrieval requirements.
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
✓
Cloud Storage Archive class
Cloud Storage Archive class is the most cost-effective option for data that is accessed rarely and requires retrieval within 24 hours. Archive class offers the lowest storage cost among Google Cloud Storage classes, with a default retrieval time of 12 hours, which comfortably meets the 24-hour requirement. This makes it ideal for long-term compliance retention of transaction logs that are infrequently accessed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cloud Storage Archive class
Why this is correct
Archive class offers lowest cost for long-term storage with retrieval within 24 hours.
- ✗
Cloud Storage Nearline class
Why it's wrong here
Nearline is for backups/archives with 30-day min, more expensive than Archive.
- ✗
Cloud Storage Coldline class
Why it's wrong here
Coldline is for archives with 90-day min, more expensive than Archive.
- ✗
Cloud Storage Standard class
Why it's wrong here
Standard class is for frequently accessed data, more expensive.
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 |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Google Cloud Platform
Key term
Data
Data is raw, unprocessed information, like numbers, words, or measurements, that can be stored, processed, and analyzed by computers.
Key term
Cloud storage
Cloud storage is a service that lets you save data on remote servers accessed over the internet instead of on your computer's hard drive.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCA practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCA exam.