archivation

Archivation refers to the process of moving data from active storage to long-term, usually less expensive, storage. The primary goal of archivation is to reduce the cost of storing data while retaining access to it. This is typically done for data that is no longer actively used but must be kept for compliance, historical, or potential future reference.

Data that is archived is generally read-only or infrequently accessed. Active data, on the other hand, is frequently modified or accessed by users and applications. Archivation strategies are employed by organizations to manage their growing data volumes efficiently. This can involve moving data to different tiers of storage, such as magnetic tape, optical media, or specialized cloud storage solutions designed for archival purposes.

Key considerations in archivation include the retention period required for the data, the cost of archival storage, the retrieval time needed when archived data must be accessed, and the security of the archived information. Compliance regulations in various industries often dictate how long certain types of data must be retained, making archivation a critical component of data governance. The process can also be automated, with policies defining when data becomes eligible for archivation based on age or access patterns. Effective archivation helps organizations optimize storage costs and maintain compliance without hindering access to essential historical information.