Hello, you are using an old browser that's unsafe and no longer supported. Please consider updating your browser to a newer version, or downloading a modern browser.

Global Accelerated Learning • Est. 1999
Glossary Term Data Retention

Training Camp • Cybersecurity Glossary

What is Data Retention?

Data retention defines how long data is stored before deletion, balancing legal, business, and privacy requirements like GDPR storage limitation.

Glossary > Governance, Risk & Compliance > Data Retention

Understanding Data Retention

Data retention is the practice of defining how long an organization stores specific categories of data before securely deleting or archiving them, governed by a documented retention policy. Retention periods balance legal, regulatory, and business needs against privacy principles like storage limitation in the GDPR, which require data not be kept longer than necessary. Effective retention reduces breach exposure, storage cost, and e-discovery scope.

Learn More About Data Retention:

Ready to Get Certified?

Turn knowledge into credentials with our instructor-led cybersecurity boot camps.

View All Courses →