What does the archival phase involve in the data lifecycle?

The archival phase in the data lifecycle primarily involves preserving data that is no longer actively used but may still hold value for future reference, compliance, or historical analysis. This phase ensures that data is securely stored in a manner that maintains its integrity while freeing up storage space and resources from active systems. By archiving data, organizations can efficiently manage their databases, reduce costs, and enhance system performance since the older, less frequently accessed data is moved away from primary storage.

This process is crucial for long-term data retention strategies, supporting regulatory compliance, and maintaining the ability to revisit historical data when necessary. Archiving does not imply deleting data; rather, it involves ensuring that data remains accessible in a less active state, which distinguishes it from complete deletion or more advanced data transformations.