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Data at rest is information stored on a persistent medium, such as a computer drive, cloud storage, database, or backup. The term describes where data is in its lifecycle—not whether it is encrypted. Stored information is distinct from data moving across a network and data actively being processed.
What “data at rest” means
Data is at rest when it has been retained in storage rather than currently being transferred or actively processed. Microsoft Azure’s Well-Architected guidance describes stored information as data kept in storage objects. NIST’s SP 800-111 addresses protecting information on storage devices, including end-user computers, consumer devices, and removable media.
“At rest” does not mean untouched or inactive forever. It identifies a state at a particular point in a workflow. A file can be stored, read into memory for processing, and sent over a network in a single operation.
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How it differs from data in transit and data in use
| State | What is happening | Example |
|---|---|---|
| At rest | Information is retained in persistent storage. | A saved file on a drive or a message in a mailbox. |
| In transit | Information is being transferred between components, locations, or programs. | A message being delivered over a network. |
| In use | Information is actively processed, typically in memory. | An application opening and working with a stored file. |
These are conceptual states, not mutually exclusive labels for an entire application. Microsoft’s Microsoft 365 encryption overview likewise distinguishes stored content from a message being delivered. A message may be in transit while sent, then become data at rest when saved in a mailbox.
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Common examples of data at rest
- A document saved on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or phone.
- Email and attachments retained in mailbox folders.
- Files stored in cloud collaboration services, including SharePoint or OneDrive.
- Content in cloud disks, databases, object storage, or table storage.
- Copies held in backups, snapshots, or removable storage such as an external drive.
The key distinction is persistence in storage, not the device’s location. Information stored in a cloud service or on removable media can be data at rest just as a file on a computer can.
Is data at rest encrypted?
Not necessarily. Encryption is a protection that can be applied to stored data; it is not part of the definition. Encryption at rest encodes persisted information so it cannot be read without the appropriate key. Microsoft’s Azure encryption-at-rest guidance explains how this can reduce exposure if someone obtains storage media but does not have its keys.
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Encryption is one layer of defense, not a replacement for access control, physical security, auditing, or other information-protection measures. Nor does encryption at rest, by itself, protect information while it is being transmitted or processed; those states require their own protections.
What to check when choosing a storage-encryption approach
Storage services vary in where encryption happens and who controls the keys. For example, Google Cloud documents provider-managed encryption by default and options for customer key management in its default encryption overview. Azure documents platform-managed keys as a default for supported services, alongside customer-managed and client-side options for some services. These are provider-specific examples, not universal guarantees.
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- The available storage capacity may vary.
Before relying on a particular setup, check the specific service and configuration. Useful questions include:
- Where does encryption occur? It may be handled by the storage platform, an application, or a client before upload.
- Who controls the keys? Find out who can access, rotate, or revoke them, and what happens if a key is unavailable.
- Which copies are covered? Confirm treatment of backups, snapshots, caches, and logs rather than assuming they inherit the same protection as the primary data.
- How is key access controlled and audited? Encryption depends on protecting the keys as well as the stored information.
- What are the operational trade-offs? Additional encryption layers can add complexity and may affect performance or recovery.
Microsoft’s encryption best practices recommend protecting backups at the same level as source data, restricting access to keys, and separating data from its keys. Capabilities and defaults differ by service, region, and configuration, so confirm the current documentation for the storage you use.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
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