Encryption At Rest
Encryption At Rest is a security practice that involves encrypting data when it is stored on physical media, such as hard drives, SSDs, or cloud storage, to protect it from unauthorized access. It ensures that even if storage devices are lost, stolen, or compromised, the data remains unreadable without the proper decryption keys. This is a fundamental aspect of data protection in compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
Developers should implement Encryption At Rest when building applications that handle sensitive data, such as personal information, financial records, or intellectual property, to mitigate risks from data breaches and meet legal requirements. It is particularly crucial in cloud environments, databases, and backup systems where data persistence is involved, as it adds a layer of security beyond access controls and network encryption.