Data retention and deletion policy automation

Purpose

1.1. Ensure systematic management of aeronautical engineering data lifecycles in compliance with industry, company, and legal standards.
1.2. Automate retention, archival, and secure deletion across multiple IT and security environments.
1.3. Mitigate data breach, optimize storage costs, and guarantee auditability of data handling.
1.4. Enforce client/contractual deletion schedules in cloud, on-prem, and hybrid platforms.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. End-of-retention period reached for specific file/class/data.
2.2. User or system flag/request for deletion or archive.
2.3. Regulatory or contractual update mandates earlier data purge.
2.4. Scheduled time-based triggers (e.g., monthly, quarterly job) or after project closure.

Platform Variants

3.1. Microsoft 365 DLP
• Feature: Information Governance policies; configure via Compliance Center, auto-expiration, and auto-deletion rules.
3.2. AWS S3
• API: Lifecycle Management Policy — JSON rules for automatic transition to "Glacier" and scheduled DELETE action.
3.3. Google Workspace
• Setting: Vault Retention Rules; define per OU/group, set expiration and deletion parameters.
3.4. Dropbox Business
• Setting: Admin Console > Data Retention; enable permanent deletion after X days inactive.
3.5. Box
• API: Retention Policy endpoints; create/purge retention policy for file/folder IDs.
3.6. Salesforce
• API: Record TTL on Objects; scheduled 'hard delete' via Bulk API based on custom field.
3.7. SharePoint Online
• Setting: Information Management Policy (IMP); auto-purge site content after expiry.
3.8. Atlassian Confluence
• REST API: /wiki/rest/api/content; scheduled deletion of outdated pages/documents.
3.9. ServiceNow
• Feature: Automated Data Purge Scripts; set filters for old tickets/incidents.
3.10. JIRA
• REST API: /rest/api/3/issue; bulk deletion of issues by project and status/date.
3.11. Zendesk
• API: Ticket archiving script; specify retention window and auto-deletion.
3.12. Smartsheet
• API: Sheet Management; identify sheets/files > retention age and Delete Sheet endpoint.
3.13. OneDrive for Business
• Setting: Files Retention Policy; compliance center, enforce deletion after custom period.
3.14. Okta
• API: User Lifecycle Deactivation; scheduled removal of deprovisioned user data.
3.15. Slack
• API: conversations.history; detect and delete messages/files > retention term.
3.16. SAP SuccessFactors
• Feature: Data Retention Time Management; configure purge rules for HR records.
3.17. Dropbox API
• /files/delete_v2 endpoint; scripted bulk deletion by creation timestamp.
3.18. IBM Cloud Object Storage
• Feature: Lifecycle Configuration; automate tiering and deletion via bucket settings.
3.19. MongoDB Atlas
• Setting: Data TTL Indexes; expire documents after period (e.g., 365 days).
3.20. PostgreSQL
• Function: cron job with DELETE SQL for rows matching age criteria in key tables.
3.21. SAP S/4HANA
• Feature: ILM (Information Lifecycle Management); set destruction policies for transactional data.
3.22. Veeam Backup
• Setting: Repositories > Retention Policy tab; enforce deletion of obsolete restore points automatically.

Benefits

4.1. Eliminates human error in retention compliance and deletion enforcement.
4.2. Reduces risk of regulatory non-compliance and data leaks.
4.3. Optimizes storage costs with timely data purges.
4.4. Simplifies audit trails and proof of policy adherence.
4.5. Scalable and adaptable for complex aeronautical project lifecycles and security demands.