AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Practice Exam

What approach should the SysOps Administrator take if the media company identifies frequent costly S3 usage patterns?

1. Increase the budget for S3 services

2. Optimize data lifecycle policies for S3

3. Limit user access to S3

4. Shift to an on-premises storage solution

The correct answer is: Optimize data lifecycle policies for S3

Optimizing data lifecycle policies for S3 is a strategic approach for managing and controlling costs associated with frequent and expensive S3 usage patterns. By implementing proper lifecycle policies, the SysOps Administrator can automate the transition of data between different storage classes based on its usage. For example, infrequently accessed data can be moved to cheaper storage classes like S3 Glacier or S3 Intelligent-Tiering, which are designed for cost efficiency while retaining access to the data when needed. Lifecycle policies can also include setting up rules for data expiration, allowing older or unneeded objects to be automatically deleted, further reducing storage costs. This method not only helps in managing costs effectively but also ensures that data management aligns with the company's usage patterns, thus achieving a balance between accessibility, performance, and cost. The other approaches mentioned, such as increasing the budget for S3 services or limiting user access to S3, do not directly address the core issue of excessive costs related to usage patterns. Shifting to an on-premises storage solution could involve significant investment and ongoing maintenance costs, potentially complicating data management solutions and introducing more overhead. Therefore, optimizing data lifecycle policies represents the most effective and practical solution for managing S3 costs.