Azure Storage Lifecycle Management for Cost Optimization
You have an Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 account that stores log files. You need to implement a data retention policy so that logs older than 90 days are automatically deleted. What should you use?
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
✓
Lifecycle management policy
A lifecycle management policy can automatically delete blobs based on age. Option A is wrong because Azure Policy enforces compliance but does not delete. Option C is wrong because Azure Blob Storage inventory provides reports but does not delete. Option D is wrong because Azure Purview scopes metadata and data discovery, not lifecycle management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Azure Policy
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy evaluates and reports on resource configuration compliance; it does not delete individual blobs based on age. A lifecycle management rule on the storage account performs the deletion. Azure Policy would be correct for enforcing settings such as requiring secure transfer, not for time-based data expiry.
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Lifecycle management policy
Why this is correct
A lifecycle management policy applies rule-based actions to blobs, including deletion once an object reaches a specified age. Setting a 90-day threshold automatically removes older log files, satisfying the retention requirement without custom code or manual intervention.
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Azure Blob Storage inventory
Why it's wrong here
Blob inventory produces scheduled reports listing blobs and their metadata; it deletes nothing. It suits auditing and cost analysis. Lifecycle management rules are what actually transition or delete blobs after a set age, satisfying the 90-day retention requirement.
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Microsoft Purview
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Purview governs and classifies data across sources; it does not enforce lifecycle deletion on storage. Retention policies that delete blobs after 90 days belong to Azure Blob Storage lifecycle management rules. Purview is tempting because it centrally manages retention labels, but those apply to compliance records, not automatic log deletion.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-203 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 DP-203 exam.