What does the term 'email archiving' mean?

The term 'email archiving' refers to the systematic storage of email messages for future reference. This process involves storing emails in a way that allows for easy retrieval and management over time. Unlike deletion, which completely removes emails from the system, archiving preserves important communications and attachments, ensuring that they are accessible when needed later. This is especially crucial for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as for maintaining organizational knowledge.

Archiving typically involves organizing emails into a structured format, often removing them from the primary inbox to free up space while still keeping them retrievable. This contrasts with other options, which either imply loss of information or do not address the aspect of preserving communication for future use.