What is the purpose of the National Archives' Digital Preservation Framework?

The purpose of the National Archives' Digital Preservation Framework is fundamentally about providing guidelines for the preservation of digital records. This framework acknowledges the unique challenges posed by digital materials, such as obsolescence of technology, data corruption, and the need for ongoing management of digital formats. By establishing comprehensive guidelines, the framework assists organizations in creating systematic approaches to ensure the long-term accessibility, integrity, and usability of digital records. This is crucial in the context of increasing reliance on digital formats, allowing institutions to mitigate risks and adopt best practices in their digital preservation efforts.

The other options do not align with the primary focus of the framework. While creating new digital records and developing software can be ancillary aspects of digital maintenance and access, they do not encapsulate the central mission of the National Archives' initiative. Additionally, the framework does not aim to eliminate backups, which remain a critical component of data management, but rather integrates strategies for effective preservation alongside those practices.