Digital Preservation

What is Digital Preservation?

Digital Preservation is the process of protecting digital information so it remains accessible, usable, authentic and reliable over an extended period. It involves managing digital content, formats, storage environments and related information to address risks such as data degradation, technological obsolescence and changing software or hardware. In a DMS, it supports the long-term preservation of important documents and records.

Key Features

• Long-Term Accessibility: Maintains access to digital information over extended periods.

• Format Management: Helps manage file formats that may become obsolete or unsupported.

• Integrity Protection: Helps ensure preserved information remains complete and unaltered.

• Authenticity Management: Maintains information needed to demonstrate the authenticity of preserved records.

• Preservation Metadata: Maintains information required to understand and manage digital content over time.

• Migration Support: Enables content to be moved to newer formats or storage environments when necessary.

• Secure Storage: Protects preserved information from unauthorized alteration or loss.

• Lifecycle Management: Connects preservation activities with broader records and information lifecycle processes.

Benefits

• Protects Long-Term Information Value: Helps organizations retain access to important digital information.

• Reduces Obsolescence Risk: Helps address changes in technology, software and file formats.

• Maintains Record Integrity: Supports the preservation of complete and trustworthy information.

• Supports Compliance: Helps organizations meet long-term recordkeeping and regulatory requirements.

• Improves Information Accessibility: Makes preserved content available when it is needed.

• Strengthens Records Management: Supports the long-term management of business and historical records.

• Reduces Information Loss: Helps protect valuable digital content from technological and storage-related risks.

Conclusion

Digital Preservation helps organizations maintain digital information so it remains accessible, usable and trustworthy over the long term. Within a DMS, it supports the continued management of important documents and records while addressing risks associated with technology changes, file-format obsolescence and information integrity.