Which component stores permanent data and retains it during power failures?

The correct choice indicates that a ROM chip is designed to store permanent data that remains intact even when the power is turned off. ROM, or Read-Only Memory, is non-volatile memory, which means it does not lose its content when the electrical power is interrupted. This characteristic makes ROM an essential component for storing firmware and system instructions that must be retained across power cycles.

While hard drives and flash drives also store data permanently, their primary functions differ in terms of speed, access methods, and intended use cases. RAM, on the other hand, is volatile memory, meaning that it loses all stored information when the power is lost, making it unsuitable for permanent data storage. Thus, the essential feature of a ROM chip, as it pertains to the question of data retention during power failures, clearly supports its classification as a reliable repository for permanent data.