What is a common method for protecting sensitive data in Azure Storage?

Using Azure Storage encryption is a widely accepted method for protecting sensitive data stored in Azure. Encryption ensures that the data is transformed into a secure format that can only be accessed or decrypted by authorized users or applications with the proper keys. Azure provides various encryption options, including service-side encryption for data at rest and secure transfer of data over the network, helping to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Encryption not only protects data from potential breaches but also complies with various regulatory standards, reinforcing the integrity and confidentiality of the information stored. This capability makes it an essential feature for organizations looking to safeguard sensitive data within their Azure storage solutions.

In contrast, data masking primarily serves to protect sensitive information displayed to users but does not secure data at rest. Implementing firewalls can help control access to resources but does not inherently encrypt data. Network segmentation is a strategy to isolate resources for security purposes but, like firewalls, does not provide encryption for data itself. Each of these methods has its place in a comprehensive security strategy, but Azure Storage encryption specifically addresses the protection of data through effective encryption mechanisms.