A preservation mechanism ensures data relevant to legal or regulatory investigations remains unaltered and accessible. When implemented, routine deletion policies are suspended for designated data items or user accounts. For example, an organization facing potential litigation might activate this process to safeguard employee emails that could serve as critical evidence in the proceedings.
This action is crucial for maintaining data integrity, satisfying discovery requests, and avoiding potential legal repercussions stemming from the accidental or intentional deletion of pertinent information. The practice has evolved alongside increasing regulatory scrutiny and the growing volume of electronically stored information.
