What does the term "interoperability" refer to in digital archives?

The term "interoperability" in digital archives refers specifically to the ability of different systems and formats to work together effectively. This concept is crucial for ensuring that various digital archives, databases, and information retrieval systems can communicate and exchange data seamlessly without losing meaning or context. Interoperability allows for the sharing of information across diverse platforms and technologies, enabling users to access and utilize data regardless of the specific systems in place.

By facilitating collaboration between different software applications and hardware environments, interoperability ensures that information can be retrieved and shared in a consistent manner. This is particularly important in digital archives, where data may originate from numerous sources and need to be integrated into a cohesive structure for research, preservation, or public access.

In contrast, the other options do not encapsulate the essence of interoperability. The ability of a single system to function independently might refer to its standalone capabilities but does not encompass the collaborative nature of interoperability. The capacity to store large amounts of data pertains to storage capabilities rather than the interworking of different systems. Finally, the ability to secure data from unauthorized access focuses on data protection rather than the collaborative functionality of systems.