What type of data is housed long-term on devices or media?

Data at rest refers to inactive data stored physically in any storage device or media. This includes data held on hard drives, solid-state drives, or backup tapes. It is not actively being processed or transferred but remains stable and secure until it is needed for retrieval or processing.

Maintaining the security of data at rest is critical because it can include sensitive information that could be a target for cyber attackers. Organizations typically implement various security measures for data at rest, such as encryption and access controls, to protect against unauthorized access. Understanding this concept is essential for effective data management and security in cybersecurity practices. In contrast, data in process pertains to information actively being used or manipulated; data in transit is in motion between systems, and data in RAM is temporary and volatile, making each of these distinct from data at rest.