What is the purpose of S3 Lifecycle Rules?

The purpose of S3 Lifecycle Rules is to automatically manage objects' storage from creation to expiration. This allows users to define specific rules that control the transition of objects between different storage classes and the eventual expiration of objects. For example, a user can configure a rule to move data from the Standard storage class to S3 Infrequent Access or S3 Glacier after a certain period of time, optimizing storage costs while still maintaining access to the data as needed.

Additionally, Lifecycle Rules can help with data retention policies by automatically deleting objects after a specified time, aiding in compliance requirements and freeing up storage space. This automation of data management makes it easier for organizations to handle large volumes of data over time without requiring manual intervention.

While managing data transfer costs and enhancing retrieval performance are important considerations in using S3, these are not the primary purpose of Lifecycle Rules. Similarly, encryption is a separate feature related to securing data rather than managing its lifecycle. Thus, the focus on transitioning and expiring objects aligns perfectly with the core functionality of S3 Lifecycle Rules.