Transparent data encryption (often abbreviated as TDE) is used to encrypt an entire database,[2] which therefore involves encrypting "data at rest".[4] Data at rest can generally be defined as "inactive" data that is not currently being edited or pushed across a network.[5] As an example, a text file stored on a computer is "at rest" until it is opened and edited. Data at rest are stored on physical storage media solutions such as tapes or hard disk drives.[6] The act of storing large amounts of sensitive data on physical storage media naturally raises concerns of security and theft. TDE ensures that the data on physical storage media cannot be read by malicious individuals that may have the intention to steal them.[7] Data that cannot be read is worthless, thus reducing the incentive for theft.