Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304) Practice Test

Where should the backups for financial accounting software be stored in Azure to minimize costs while maintaining compliance?

1. Azure SQL Database

2. Azure Blob storage with the Archive tier

3. Recovery Services vault

4. Azure Blob storage with the Cool tier

The correct answer is: Azure Blob storage with the Archive tier

Storing backups for financial accounting software primarily revolves around compliance and cost management. The Archive tier of Azure Blob storage is designed for data that is rarely accessed and stored for long periods, making it a cost-effective solution for backups. This tier significantly reduces storage costs compared to options that provide more immediate access to data. The Archive tier is compliant with various regulations focusing on long-term data retention and is suitable for financial records that need to be retained for compliance purposes, such as audits and legal requirements. Compliance often mandates that data be kept securely and unalterably, both of which can be effectively managed in Azure Blob storage via the Archive tier, while ensuring that it remains economically viable due to its low-cost structure. The other options, while also potentially valid in certain contexts, do not balance cost and compliance in the same way. For example, Azure SQL Database is designed for active workloads and is more expensive for storage compared to the Archive tier. The Recovery Services vault is typically used for disaster recovery and may not provide the lowest-cost storage option for long-term backups. Azure Blob storage with the Cool tier is optimized for infrequently accessed data, but not as cost-effective as the Archive tier for long-term storage.