What is meant by the term 'At Rest' in cybersecurity?

The term 'At Rest' in cybersecurity refers specifically to data that is preserved on a storage device. This type of data may include files stored on hard drives, databases, or cloud storage that are not currently being accessed, transmitted, or processed. The significance of securing data at rest lies in the fact that it can be vulnerable to unauthorized access, breaches, or theft if proper security measures are not in place, such as encryption or access controls. Protecting data at rest is a critical aspect of an organization's overall data security strategy, as it ensures that sensitive information remains confidential and secure while stored.

In contrast, data being sent over a network, manipulated, or under active analysis represents different states of data that require various security considerations. However, these conditions do not align with the definition of data at rest.