What would be the most cost-effective way for a company to meet seven-year data retention requirements in the public cloud?

Automated archiving is the most cost-effective solution for a company looking to meet a seven-year data retention requirement in the public cloud. This approach focuses on efficiently moving data that is infrequently accessed to lower-cost storage options while ensuring it remains compliant with retention policies. Automated archiving not only saves costs on storage by utilizing cheaper options for data that does not require immediate access, but it also automates the process, minimizing manual intervention and reducing the potential for human error.

In contrast, site mirroring involves creating real-time copies of data across different storage locations, which can significantly increase costs due to the need for additional storage resources. Replication typically requires active and ongoing data synchronization, which can lead to higher storage and bandwidth expenses as all data needs to be readily available and maintained in real time. Utilizing third-party sites may offer alternative solutions, but there could be additional complexities, such as integration issues and vendor costs, making it less straightforward and potentially more costly than a simple automated archiving strategy.