Which term describes data that is preserved on a storage device?

The term that describes data preserved on a storage device is 'data at rest.' This refers to inactive data that is stored physically in any digital form (like databases, data warehouses, or backup systems) and is not actively being transferred or processed.

Data at rest includes everything from files stored on hard drives and servers to cloud data storage. It's crucial to ensure this type of data is protected from unauthorized access, breaches, and other security risks since it can contain sensitive or critical information.

In contrast, data in motion refers to data actively being transferred over a network, such as during a file download or email transmission. Data in processing describes information currently being worked on or manipulated by applications or systems. Data in storage is a more general term that could refer to any data stored, but it doesn't specifically convey the idea of the data being inactive, which is a key aspect of the concept of data at rest.