How do you define the retention period of event and flow data in QRadar?

The correct way to define the retention period of event and flow data in QRadar is by defining retention buckets. Retention buckets are a key aspect of QRadar's data management, as they allow administrators to specify how long different types of data should be retained in the system. By configuring retention buckets, you can ensure compliance with regulatory requirements or organizational policies regarding data storage and usage.

Retention buckets act as guidelines, categorizing data based on its age, type, and importance. Once the data in these buckets exceeds the defined retention period, it can either be archived or permanently deleted, depending on your organization's data management strategy. This approach allows for efficient storage management and helps maintain system performance, as older, less relevant data is removed over time.

While the other options mention various aspects of data management within QRadar, they do not specifically address the primary mechanism for defining retention periods for event and flow data. For instance, setting retention dates per log source does not provide the comprehensive and structured approach offered by retention buckets. Similarly, defining retention schedules in the Ariel database or enforcement in rules relates to different data management functions that do not directly control how long event and flow data is stored.