Data at rest

What is data at rest?

Data at rest refers to information stored on physical or virtual storage that isn’t moving through networks or being processed. This type of data typically exists in databases, file systems, backups, or archives.

Examples of data at rest

Common examples of data at rest include:

Files stored on a laptop or desktop computer.
Records in a customer database.
Archived emails stored on a mail server.
Backup copies saved on external drives or cloud storage.
Documents stored in a content management system (CMS).

In each case, the data remains stored and inactive until it is retrieved or processed.

Where is data at rest stored?

Data at rest can be stored across various storage environments, including: A list of places where data at rest can be stored

Local storage, such as hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs).
On-premises servers and data centers.
Network-attached storage (NAS) systems.
Cloud storage platforms.
Backup media, such as tape drives or external disks.

These storage systems may be centralized or distributed depending on organizational architecture.

Risks and privacy concerns

Device theft, misconfigured storage systems, insider misuse, or cyberattacks can expose data at rest if improperly secured. Unauthorized access may result in identity theft, financial fraud, or disclosure of confidential business information.

Privacy concerns arise when stored data includes personally identifiable information (PII), health records, or payment details. Failure to protect such data may lead to legal penalties and regulatory action, in addition to operational and reputational consequences.

How is data at rest protected?

Here are some ways organizations can protect data at rest.

Classification: Placing data at rest into categories based on sensitivity (for example, public, internal, confidential, or restricted).
Encryption or tokenization: Replacing sensitive data at rest with ciphertext or a non-sensitive token.
Access controls: Granting access to data at rest based on verified identity, assigned role, device status, and contextual risk.

FAQ

What’s the difference between data at rest and data in transit?

Data at rest is information that’s not actively moving or being processed. Data in transit refers to information being transmitted between systems, such as across a network or the internet.

Is encryption enough to protect data at rest?

No. Although encryption is a key critical control to protect data at rest, it's not sufficient on its own. Effective protection also requires access controls, secure key management, monitoring, and proper system configuration.

What is “encryption at rest” in cloud services?

Encryption at rest in cloud services is when a cloud provider automatically encrypts the stored data so that it can’t be read without the correct decryption key. This makes the data unintelligible and unusable even if it is stolen.

How do attackers typically steal data at rest?

Attackers can steal data at rest by exploiting vulnerabilities, deploying malware or ransomware, stealing physical devices, using social engineering hacks like phishing, or abusing legitimate internal access.

What are best practices for securing data at rest?

Data encryption, data tokenization, and data segregation are some of the best practices for securing data at rest.