Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-300) Practice Exam

Why is it important to balance cost and risk when selecting a replication level?

1. To manage performance issues

2. To ensure maximum data loss

3. To optimize infrastructure spending

4. To minimize user access requirements

The correct answer is: To optimize infrastructure spending

Balancing cost and risk when selecting a replication level is crucial for optimizing infrastructure spending. Different levels of data replication come with varying costs associated with both storage and compute resources. Selecting a replication strategy that aligns with the organization's budget while adequately protecting data ensures that financial resources are used efficiently. By optimizing infrastructure spending, organizations can allocate their budget more effectively, ensuring that they invest in necessary capabilities without overspending on unnecessary redundancy or under-protecting critical data. For instance, while a higher replication level offers greater data availability and resilience to failure, it inherently increases costs. Therefore, finding the right balance allows for adequate data protection aligned with business needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Other choices may touch on important considerations in data replication, such as performance and user access requirements, but they don't directly address the core intent behind balancing cost and risk. Opting for the right replication level involves evaluating how much data loss is acceptable in terms of business continuity versus the financial impact this decision will have, underscoring the importance of cost optimization in replication strategies.