What term describes data that is stored and not actively moving through a network?

What term describes data that is stored and not actively moving through a network?

• A. Data at rest
• B. Data in transit
• C. Data in motion
• D. Data on disk

Answer: (A)

Stored data that isn't actively moving through a network is described as data at rest. This term is used to categorize data by its state—at rest, in transit, or in use—so it highlights that the data is stationary and not being transmitted. Data at rest includes information stored on disks, SSDs, tapes, databases, and backups, remaining unchanged until accessed. The reason this term fits best is that it directly conveys the immobility of the data, which guides the appropriate protections, like encryption at rest and strict access controls. In contrast, data in transit or data in motion describe data that is actively being sent over a network, requiring different protections for secure transmission. The phrase data on disk points to a storage medium rather than the data’s state, so it isn’t the standard term for describing data that is not moving.

Stored data that isn't actively moving through a network is described as data at rest. This term is used to categorize data by its state—at rest, in transit, or in use—so it highlights that the data is stationary and not being transmitted. Data at rest includes information stored on disks, SSDs, tapes, databases, and backups, remaining unchanged until accessed. The reason this term fits best is that it directly conveys the immobility of the data, which guides the appropriate protections, like encryption at rest and strict access controls. In contrast, data in transit or data in motion describe data that is actively being sent over a network, requiring different protections for secure transmission. The phrase data on disk points to a storage medium rather than the data’s state, so it isn’t the standard term for describing data that is not moving.