AWS DataSync
AWS DataSync is an online data transfer service that simplifies moving data between on-premises storage and AWS, or between AWS storage services, with automated scheduling.
What is DataSync? (Simple Explanation)
DataSync is an AWS service in the Storage category. AWS DataSync is an online data transfer service that simplifies moving data between on-premises storage and AWS, or between AWS storage services, with automated scheduling.
When Would You Use DataSync?
- Data migration to AWS
- Hybrid cloud data replication
- Data lake ingestion pipelines
- Regular backup to AWS storage
Who Uses DataSync?
From startups to enterprises, DataSync powers:
What Makes DataSync Powerful
DataSync Pricing & Free Tier
Free Tier: 5GB Standard storage, 20,000 GET requests, 2,000 PUT requests (12 months). After that, ~$0.023/GB/month.
DataSync Best Practices
- 1Block all public access by default (never grant s3:* to *)
- 2Enable versioning and MFA delete on critical buckets
- 3Use lifecycle policies to automatically tier to Glacier after 90 days
- 4Encrypt at rest with SSE-KMS (not SSE-S3)
- 5Enable S3 Access Logs or CloudTrail data events for audit trail
Getting Started with DataSync in 5 Minutes
- 1Open the AWS Console and navigate to DataSync
- 2Click "Create bucket" or "Create file system"
- 3Name your resource (globally unique for S3) and choose a region
- 4Configure public access settings (block all public access by default) and click "Create"
DataSync CLI Quick Reference
2 production-ready commands. Full CLI Library (225+ services) →
aws datasync helpView all DataSync CLI v2 commands and subcommandsaws datasync describe-datasync --helpView options for describing DataSync resourcesPros & Cons of DataSync
Pros
- 10 Gbps per agent throughput
- Automated task scheduling with built-in validation
- Encryption in transit (TLS) and at rest (KMS)
- NFS, SMB, HDFS, S3, EFS, FSx protocol support
- Bandwidth throttling and task filtering
Cons
- ✕Storage costs compound over time — data tends to grow, not shrink
- ✕Cross-region replication adds latency and egress costs
- ✕Inexperienced users can accidentally expose data publicly (misconfigured bucket policies)
DataSync vs Alternatives
DataSync vs S3
Choose DataSync for Data migration to AWS and Hybrid cloud data replication. It excels at 10 gbps per agent throughput.
Choose S3 as an alternative when your requirements differ. Each service in the Storage category serves different architectural patterns.
Services That Work with DataSync
DataSync is rarely used alone. It is typically combined with:
Compliance & Security
How AWS DataSync fits into major compliance standards. Browse all 41 frameworks →
DataSync configuration is audited by CIS Benchmarks v1.5–v3.0 for secure cloud defaults.
NIST 800-53DataSync access controls, encryption, and audit logging map to NIST 800-53 AC, SC, and AU control families.
PCI DSS 4.0DataSync encryption, access control, and logging support PCI DSS for cardholder data environments.
SOC 2DataSync security, availability, and confidentiality controls evaluated under SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria.
ISO 27001DataSync configuration and monitoring controls map to ISO 27001 Annex A information security management.
Frequently Asked Questions About DataSync
What is AWS DataSync?
AWS DataSync is an online data transfer service that simplifies moving data between on-premises storage and AWS, or between AWS storage services, with automated scheduling.
What is DataSync used for?
DataSync is commonly used for: Data migration to AWS; Hybrid cloud data replication; Data lake ingestion pipelines; Regular backup to AWS storage. It's a core service in the storage category of AWS.
Is DataSync free?
Free Tier: 5GB Standard storage, 20,000 GET requests, 2,000 PUT requests (12 months). After that, ~$0.023/GB/month.
What are the key features of DataSync?
DataSync's most important capabilities include: 10 Gbps per agent throughput. Automated task scheduling with built-in validation. Encryption in transit (TLS) and at rest (KMS). NFS, SMB, HDFS, S3, EFS, FSx protocol support. Bandwidth throttling and task filtering. Each of these is designed to help teams data migration to aws.
How does DataSync compare to alternatives?
DataSync competes with both AWS-native alternatives (S3, EFS, FSx) and third-party equivalents. The right choice depends on your specific requirements for scalability, cost, and operational overhead. See the comparisons section below for detailed guidance.
Which compliance frameworks apply to DataSync?
CIS AWS v3.0: DataSync configuration is audited by CIS Benchmarks v1.5–v3.0 for secure cloud defaults. NIST 800-53: DataSync access controls, encryption, and audit logging map to NIST 800-53 AC, SC, and AU control families. PCI DSS 4.0: DataSync encryption, access control, and logging support PCI DSS for cardholder data environments. SOC 2: DataSync security, availability, and confidentiality controls evaluated under SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria. ISO 27001: DataSync configuration and monitoring controls map to ISO 27001 Annex A information security management.
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