What method is commonly used to secure data at rest?

The method commonly used to secure data at rest is encryption. This process involves converting the stored data into a coded format that can only be deciphered by individuals or systems with the correct decryption keys. Encryption ensures that even if unauthorized access to the physical storage occurs, the data remains unintelligible and useless to potential attackers. This is crucial in protecting sensitive information, such as personal data, financial records, and intellectual property, from data breaches and unauthorized access.

While options like firewalls and limiting physical access are important measures for overall cybersecurity strategies, they primarily focus on network security and physical security, respectively, rather than specifically addressing the protection of stored data itself. Regularly changing hardware components does not contribute to data security at rest. Therefore, encryption stands out as the most effective and widely recognized method for securing data that is stored, directly addressing the need to protect the integrity and confidentiality of that information.