Strategic Preservation of Long-Term Data: Insights from Tori Miller Liu
As businesses face increasing regulatory demands and strive for operational efficiency, maintaining a strategic approach to data preservation is more crucial than ever.
In the most recent episode of our ongoing Executive Briefing interview series, guest Tori Miller Liu, President and CEO of AIIM with host Kevin Craine, where they explored the growing importance of preserving high-value, long-term data within organizations and how to create an actionable plan to address the issue quickly. You can view the complete video interview here, along with registering for other episodes in the series.
Why Data Preservation Matters
Tori highlights that data preservation is not just about meeting compliance requirements; it’s also about protecting valuable business assets. Records such as contracts, governance documents, and intellectual property are essential for continuity and strategic decision-making. Preserving this data ensures organizations can leverage it for insights, innovation, and operational growth. In the digital age, neglecting to properly preserve data risks losing access to critical information due to format obsolescence or data corruption.
The Strategic Value of Archiving
Beyond compliance, long-term data preservation can drive significant ROI. Tori explains how archived data—whether structured or unstructured—can be a goldmine for AI training, predictive analytics, and business intelligence. By storing data strategically, organizations can unlock future opportunities, streamline decision-making, and even enhance customer relationships.
The Digital Preservation Landscape
The rise of cloud storage has transformed the way we manage long-term data, but it also presents new challenges. Vendor lock-ins, evolving regulatory requirements, and the risk of data obsolescence must all be carefully managed. Tori stresses that organizations must focus on developing solid governance policies and retention schedules to ensure data remains accessible and usable over time.
AI and Long-Term Data
One of the most exciting aspects of data preservation is its potential to support AI-driven initiatives. Historical data, when properly archived and indexed, can be used by AI systems to extract valuable insights, automate processes, and improve decision-making. As AI tools become more advanced, ensuring that preserved data is in an accessible format becomes even more critical.
Practical Steps for Effective Preservation
For organizations considering digital preservation, Tori recommends starting with a clear understanding of which data is essential for both regulatory compliance and long-term business goals. Categorizing data based on its strategic value allows for more focused and cost-effective preservation efforts. Developing a retention policy and investing in dedicated digital preservation capabilities / solutions similar to those like Preserve365.
Actionable Steps for Executives
Tori recommends three key actions that can help executives today with their data preservation plans:
- Identify high-value data across the organization and understand its role, including any dark data or shadow IT that may exist.
- Assess your storage and retention solutions for sustainability and readiness to meet future needs.
- Invest in information management to ensure a holistic approach, integrating people, processes, technology, and information for optimal business outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Tori’s key takeaway for organizations is that investing in long-term digital preservation is a strategic move that pays dividends over time. While the task may seem daunting, starting with high-value data and building a scalable preservation plan can future-proof your organization and unlock hidden value in your data. If you’re interested in finding out how Preservica can help you build a preservation plan, book a one-on-one workshop with us today!
If you’re interested in seeing the entire video interview with Tori or to view any episode in the series click here to view the episodes as they become available.
