What is the primary purpose of archiving recorded data?

The primary purpose of archiving recorded data is to ensure that information is not lost over time. Archiving serves as a long-term storage solution where recorded data can be preserved for future reference, allowing it to be accessed whenever needed. This is especially important in contexts like legal and medical documentation, where the integrity and availability of records can be vital for ongoing cases or information retrieval. By securing data in an archive, organizations can protect against data loss due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or other unforeseen issues. This function is essential for maintaining the reliability and continuity of information over the long term.