A data center technician is part of an organization that requires FIPS 140-2 encryption standards for encrypting data at rest. Which of the following technologies incorporates this standard specifically for data at rest?

The correct answer is the technology that incorporates FIPS 140-2 encryption standards specifically for data at rest, which is self-encrypting drives (SEDs). SEDs are designed to provide encryption directly on the storage device without needing additional software or hardware solutions. They automatically encrypt data written to the drive and decrypt it when read, ensuring that all data stored is protected according to the required standards.

Self-encrypting drives comply with various encryption standards, including FIPS 140-2, which specifies the security requirements for cryptographic modules. By leveraging built-in encryption capabilities, SEDs enhance security and simplify management, making it easier for organizations to comply with regulations that require strict encryption practices for sensitive data at rest.

In contrast, while hardware security modules (HSMs) and trusted platform modules (TPMs) provide cryptographic functionalities and secure key management, they are not solely focused on encrypting data at rest. HSMs are typically used for managing encryption keys securely within an organization’s infrastructure, while TPMs secure hardware through integrated cryptographic keys but do not inherently encrypt data at rest like SEDs do. Measured boot, on the other hand, is a security feature that ensures the integrity of the boot process and