Which type of encryption is generally used to protect data at rest in the cloud?

Symmetric encryption is generally used to protect data at rest in the cloud due to its efficiency and speed in encrypting large amounts of data. This type of encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption, making it suitable for scenarios where data needs to be accessed frequently but still requires a high level of security.

When storing data in the cloud, organizations must ensure that data is not only safeguarded against unauthorized access but also easily retrievable by those who are authorized. Symmetric encryption meets these criteria effectively because it allows quick access and processing of the data while maintaining confidentiality.

In contrast, end-to-end encryption provides security from the point of origin to the point of destination, making it less relevant for data at rest, which is already stored safely in a cloud environment. Asymmetric encryption, which uses a pair of keys (one public and one private), is typically more resource-intensive and slower, making it less suitable for encrypting large data volumes at rest. Hashing, while effective for validating integrity, does not encrypt data in a way that keeps it confidential since hashed data cannot be decrypted back to its original form.

Thus, symmetric encryption is the preferred choice for protecting data at rest in the cloud due to its balance of security and