In effect, a permanent record (4)
I believe the answer is:
tape
'record' is the definition.
(taping is a kind of recording)
'in effect a permanent' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'TAPE' can be found hidden inside 'effect a permanent'.
(Other definitions for tape that I've seen before include "Record; finishing line" , "Bind" , "Recording material" , "Record; material strip" , "Strip, magnetic, video, etc." .)