In which scenario is cold storage most appropriate?

Cold storage is most appropriate for archiving infrequently accessed data because it is specifically designed for long-term storage of data that does not need to be accessed regularly. Cold storage typically offers lower costs and is optimized for durability and energy efficiency rather than speed. This makes it an ideal choice for organizations that need to retain large volumes of data for compliance, legal, or historical purposes, but do not need to access that data frequently.

In contrast, scenarios involving frequently accessed operational data or real-time data processing would benefit more from hot storage solutions, which prioritize fast access and retrieval. Additionally, data that requires immediate retrieval also does not align with the characteristics of cold storage, as it is generally slower and more suited for archival purposes rather than quick access.