Azure File Document Retention

Question

Hi All,

Is there a way to implement records retention policy for Azure Files?

I can see options for SharePoint (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/purview/retention-policies-sharepoint) and Azure Blob Storage (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/blobs/immutable-time-based-retention-policy-overview).

However, other than file backups, I can't see a way to do retention policy for Azure files.

Any hints for where to look or implementation suggestions would be great!

Answer 1

Azure Files does not have built-in retention policy features similar to those available in SharePoint or Azure Blob Storage. Azure Files primarily offers share snapshots and Azure Backup for data protection, but these don't provide the same granular control over retention policies as you would find in SharePoint or Azure Blob Storage.

However, there are alternative strategies you can consider:

1. Azure Backup: While Azure Backup doesn't provide retention policies in the traditional sense, it does allow you to schedule regular backups and retain them for a specified duration. This can be used as a form of retention policy, although it's more about data protection than enforcing legal or compliance-related retention.
2. Custom Solutions: Implementing a custom solution using Azure Functions or Azure Logic Apps that triggers based on a schedule to review and manage files in Azure Files. This would require development effort to create scripts or applications that can apply your specific retention rules.
3. Third-Party Tools: There are third-party data management and governance tools that offer more advanced retention capabilities. These can be integrated with Azure storage services, including Azure Files, to enforce specific retention policies.
4. File Share Snapshots: Azure Files supports creating snapshots of file shares, which are read-only versions of the file share at a specific point in time. While not a direct replacement for a retention policy, snapshots can be used to preserve states of a file system at regular intervals.
5. Azure Policy: While Azure Policy does not directly enforce retention policies on file data, it can be used to enforce compliance in your Azure environment, including storage accounts. This might be helpful in ensuring that certain practices are followed.
6. Audit and Monitor: Regular auditing and monitoring can be implemented to track changes and access to files in Azure Files. This approach would require setting up monitoring tools and possibly integrating them with Azure Monitor and Azure Log Analytics.

Since each organization's requirements for data retention are unique, based on regulatory and business needs, it's important to choose a strategy that aligns with these requirements. Also, keep an eye on Azure updates, as Microsoft continually adds new features to their cloud services.

For the most current information and best practices regarding data retention and compliance in Azure, you can refer to the Azure Documentation, specifically the sections on Azure Files and Azure Backup: Azure Files Documentation and Azure Backup Documentation.

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Answer 2

@James Thompson

You can create a policy that enforces a retention period for Azure Files backup.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-files-faq#how-s-the-total-number-of-snapshots-corresponding-to-a-backup-policy-configuration-calculated-