What type of encryption does Azure Storage use to protect data at rest?

Azure Storage utilizes server-side encryption (SSE) to protect data at rest. This mechanism ensures that data is automatically encrypted before being saved to the storage account, providing a layer of security without requiring any action from the user or application. Server-side encryption simplifies the process of protecting data by handling encryption and decryption tasks on behalf of the users.

When data is stored in Azure, it is encrypted using advanced encryption standards with strong keys managed by Microsoft. This ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains secure and unreadable without the proper keys. The built-in features of server-side encryption contribute to compliance with various regulations around data protection.

Client-side encryption would require the application to encrypt data before it is sent to Azure, putting more responsibility on the developer for securing the data. End-to-end encryption typically refers to data being encrypted from the sender to the recipient, which is not specific to just Azure Storage. File-level encryption generally pertains to encrypting individual files rather than a storage solution built for broader data management.

Thus, server-side encryption is the most effective and integrated approach for protecting data at rest in Azure Storage.