What is the best action to take for data on a decommissioned server to ensure it's securely stored?

Archiving is the best action to take for data on a decommissioned server to ensure it's securely stored because archiving involves transferring data that is no longer actively used to a separate storage system specifically designed for long-term retention. This process maintains the integrity and accessibility of the data while removing it from current active environments, thus reducing the potential for unauthorized access or exposure.

When data is archived, it can be stored in a secure, lower-cost storage solution, often with additional protective measures such as encryption or access controls in place. This makes it a suitable option for compliance with data retention policies and safeguarding sensitive information while freeing up resources on the decommissioned server.

In contrast, backing up data typically serves as a temporary protection against data loss or system failure and may not necessarily provide secure long-term storage. Deleting data would remove it entirely, which can lead to issues if the information is required later for reference or compliance. Replicating data would imply creating copies on other systems, which might not be relevant for data on a server that is no longer in operation and could expose sensitive data unnecessarily.