What is the primary purpose of Amazon Glacier?

The primary purpose of Amazon Glacier is to offer secure, durable, and low-cost storage specifically designed for data archiving. This service is tailored for users who need to store large amounts of data that are infrequently accessed but still require long-term retention. Amazon Glacier is optimized for cost-efficiency, making it a suitable choice for data that is not needed on a regular basis yet must be retained for compliance or backup purposes.

The secure nature of Amazon Glacier means that data is stored with high standards of durability, ensuring that it remains safe and intact over time. Additionally, the service provides compliance with regulatory requirements for data retention, adding further value for organizations that must adhere to specific guidelines regarding their data.

In contrast to other services that focus on real-time data processing, application management, or performance enhancement of databases, Amazon Glacier specifically targets the needs of data archiving, resulting in its unique positioning within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) offering.