Amazon S3 Object Lock
A feature that prevents objects in Amazon S3 from being deleted or overwritten for a specified period.
Description
Amazon S3 Object Lock is a data protection feature that allows users to enforce retention policies on objects stored in Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3). This feature is particularly beneficial for organizations that need to comply with regulatory requirements for data retention and protection. By using Object Lock, users can create retention periods during which objects cannot be deleted or modified. This capability is critical for businesses in regulated industries such as finance and healthcare, where data integrity and compliance are paramount. Object Lock can be configured in two modes: Governance Mode, which allows users to override the lock if they have the necessary permissions, and Compliance Mode, which enforces the lock strictly, preventing any modifications or deletions until the retention period expires. This ensures that critical data remains unchanged and available for audits or legal inquiries.
Examples
- A financial institution uses Amazon S3 Object Lock in Compliance Mode to protect transaction records for seven years, ensuring compliance with banking regulations.
- A healthcare provider stores patient records in Amazon S3 with Object Lock enabled to safeguard sensitive information against accidental deletion or tampering.
Additional Information
- Object Lock works in conjunction with versioning, allowing users to maintain multiple versions of an object while adhering to retention policies.
- S3 Object Lock is compatible with AWS services like AWS CloudTrail, enabling users to monitor and log access to locked objects for enhanced security.