Azure Data Archiving
Automated data archiving with lifecycle policies and WORM compliance. Archive is the lowest-cost storage tier Azure offers.
Your Data Sits on the Most Expensive Shelf
Old files, completed projects, compliance archives — everything sits in expensive storage tiers because nobody configured lifecycle policies. Retention requirements (GoBD, GDPR, HGB) are met manually or simply ignored. Tape backups are dying, but an alternative is missing.
Azure Archive Storage is the lowest-cost tier Azure offers. Lifecycle management policies automate tiering. Immutable storage (WORM) with a locked retention policy blocks deletion for the retention period. All available — but rarely configured.
ACTIVITIES IN DETAIL
DELIVERABLES
Data Class Assessment: Access frequency and retention requirement captured per data type
Tier Strategy: Hot to Cool to Cold to Archive with a clear criterion per transition
Lifecycle and Immutability: Automatic tiering, plus WORM retention and legal hold where regulated
Rehydration Validation: One real object on both routes, with duration and cost measured
Rehydration Runbook: Request path, route decision, and responsibilities from those values
Cost Monitoring: Alerts on unexpected egress and rehydration spend
Next steps after Azure Data Archiving
A cleanly configured tenant is the foundation. These blueprints build directly on it
