Not to muddy the water, but I remember while the Admission Officer and Register at UC Berkeley, we used to film all student permanent academic records (transcripts).  These were called backup records in case of an emergency or disaster,  later as these permanent records became electronic academic records, we would store back up electronic tapes and then discs for the same purpose.  While there never was a significant disaster, frequently something happened to the original permanent academic records and we would source the copy to make a new original record.  The original and the copies were kept infinite.  We had a way to refresh the electronic copies from time to time.

Robert
Records Program and ECM Administrator
Department of Aviation
Finance/ERP