What is Encryption at Rest?
Encryption at rest protects stored data by encrypting it on disk, in databases, or in storage systems, ensuring data confidentiality even if storage media is physically compromised.
Encryption at rest refers to the encryption of data while it is stored on any persistent storage medium—hard drives, SSDs, databases, cloud storage, or backup media. This protects against unauthorized access to data through physical theft, unauthorized storage access, or improper media disposal.
Encryption at rest is a baseline security expectation under most privacy regulations and is specifically referenced in HIPAA Security Rule technical safeguards. ProtectIQ supports transparent encryption at rest for databases and file systems with centralized key management.
Relevant Regulations
How IQWorks Helps
Related Terms
Data Encryption
Encryption transforms readable data into an unreadable format using cryptographic algorithms, protecting confidentiality by ensuring only authorized parties with the correct key can access the data.
Encryption in Transit
Encryption in transit protects data as it moves between systems using protocols like TLS/SSL, preventing interception and eavesdropping during transmission.
Data Masking
Data masking replaces sensitive data with realistic but fictitious values, protecting privacy while maintaining data utility for testing, development, and analytics.
Cloud Data Protection
Cloud data protection encompasses the policies, technologies, and controls used to protect personal data stored and processed in cloud computing environments.