How does digital preservation differ from regular archiving?

Digital preservation is fundamentally concerned with maintaining access to digital materials over time, which involves managing and ensuring the integrity of digital formats as technology and standards evolve. This process often includes activities such as format migration, emulation, and the development of strategies to counteract digital obsolescence. Unlike traditional archiving, which may primarily focus on the physical storage of materials, digital preservation recognizes the unique challenges posed by digital assets, such as the rapid pace of technological change and the need for ongoing management of data integrity and usability.

The emphasis on managing digital formats over time reflects the need to not only maintain the files themselves but also ensure they remain accessible and usable as software, file formats, and hardware evolve. By integrating preservation strategies that address these challenges, digital preservation enables organizations to safeguard their digital assets for future generations, thereby supporting ongoing access to vital information.