What is the best way to protect data at rest?

Encrypting data at rest is considered the best way to protect sensitive information because it transforms the data into a format that cannot be easily understood without the appropriate decryption keys. This means that even if an unauthorized individual gains access to the physical storage media or the backend systems where the data resides, they would not be able to interpret or use the data without first decrypting it.

Encryption effectively mitigates the risks of data breaches and unauthorized access. It adds a strong layer of security that can ensure confidentiality, as even if data is compromised, it remains unreadable without the right keys. This is particularly crucial for organizations handling sensitive personal information, financial records, or proprietary business information.

While storing data offline can add a level of security by reducing exposure to network threats, it doesn’t inherently protect the data itself from physical theft or unauthorized access. Implementing access controls is essential for regulating who can view or modify the data, but it does not protect the data from access by those who might otherwise gain entry to the environment. Data masking, while useful for de-identifying data in certain contexts, doesn't provide the full protection needed for sensitive data at rest when original data must be preserved and secured.

Thus, encryption stands out as the most effective strategy for safeguarding data