What determines how long the data is retained and available for search once ingested in Splunk Cloud?

The duration for which data is retained and made available for search in Splunk Cloud is primarily influenced by the searchable time, typically expressed in days. This specifies the time span during which the ingested data can be queried and analyzed. Once this timeframe elapses, the data may no longer be searchable unless it has been archived or altered based on the organization's retention policies.

Although factors such as retention policy, archiving rules, and index size limitations play roles in managing data storage and retention, they don't directly dictate the searchable period. Retention policy, for instance, outlines how long data should be kept but may not reflect the technical parameters of "searchable time." Similarly, while data archiving rules define procedures for moving older data to a less accessible state, they don't set conditions for active search parameters. Index size limitations can affect the amount of data that can be stored, but they do not determine the duration data remains searchable.

Understanding that the searchable time frames the accessibility of data is crucial for effective data management and compliance within Splunk Cloud environments.