CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

What storage method can be used for keeping customer transaction records offline while optimizing costs?

1. File transfer

2. Archive

3. Replication

4. Data store

The correct answer is: Archive

The best storage method for keeping customer transaction records offline while optimizing costs is archiving. Archiving involves moving infrequently accessed data to a separate storage space designed for long-term retention. This typically costs less than keeping the data in a high-access storage system as it can be stored on cheaper media. Archived data is intended for retrieval when needed but does not require the same speed of access as active data. This method is particularly effective for transaction records, which may need to be retained for compliance and auditing purposes but are not actively used on a daily basis. By archiving these records, organizations can reduce storage costs significantly while ensuring that they meet legal and operational requirements regarding data retention. The other options, such as file transfer, replication, and data store, do not serve the same purpose effectively. File transfer is focused on moving data rather than storing it, replication involves creating copies of data for redundancy and recovery rather than long-term storage, and a data store refers to any repository for data that typically facilitates active access rather than optimized offline storage. Hence, archiving stands out as the most suitable solution for the scenario presented.