When using the "auto" tiering policy, what occurs when cold data blocks are read during an antivirus scan?

Choosing the "auto" tiering policy allows for a dynamic management of data storage, optimizing performance and cost. When cold data blocks are read during an antivirus scan, they are accessed, but this doesn't trigger an immediate change in tier status. As a result, the cold data blocks remain on the cloud tier rather than being moved to a performance tier or any other tier.

This behavior ensures that while the antivirus scan accesses cold data, it doesn’t impact the overall tiering structure, preserving storage efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The cold data continues to stay in its designated lower-cost storage, even when accessed, until other conditions for tier movement are met, such as increased access frequency over a sustained period. This mechanism is particularly beneficial in managing resource costs while maintaining access to necessary data.