Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-300) Practice Exam

Which aspect would be affected by defining a Recovery Point Objective (RPO)?

1. The frequency of database backups

2. The latency of user requests

3. The security measures in place

4. The size of the database cluster

The correct answer is: The frequency of database backups

Defining a Recovery Point Objective (RPO) fundamentally determines the maximum acceptable amount of data loss measured in time following a disaster or outage. The RPO directly influences how often backups must be taken to ensure that, in the event of a failure, the amount of data lost does not exceed the timeframe established by the RPO. For instance, if an organization sets an RPO of 1 hour, it requires backups to be performed at least once every hour. This ensures that the maximum potential loss is limited to the data accumulated within the last hour, aligning with the business's tolerance for data loss. Thus, the frequency of database backups will increase or change based on the RPO established, ensuring that data recovery aligns with the business requirements. Options that focus on latency of user requests, security measures, or the size of the database cluster do not have a direct relationship with RPO. While those factors are important for overall system performance and integrity, they are not directly affected by the RPO settings.