Encrypting data on a hard disk is known as protecting data at what stage?

Encrypting data on a hard disk is known as protecting data at rest. This refers to data that is stored on a physical medium, such as a hard drive or solid-state drive, and is not currently being used in any operation or transmitted over a network. When data is at rest, it is more vulnerable to unauthorized access, theft, or loss if proper security measures are not in place. Encryption helps safeguard this data by converting it into a format that can only be read or processed by someone with the correct decryption key, ensuring confidentiality and security.

The other stages mentioned—data in transit, data in action, and data in access—refer to different states of data. Data in transit pertains to information being transmitted across networks, such as during online transactions. Data in action refers to data that is actively being used or processed by applications. Data in access involves situations where users might be retrieving or interacting with data. Each state has its own security measures, but encrypting data on a hard disk specifically addresses the security of data that is stored and not actively in use.