How does database storage encryption combine with access control strategies?

Database storage encryption and access control strategies work together to provide a multi-layered security approach, ensuring data confidentiality both at rest and during access.

1. Encryption at Rest: This protects data stored in databases by converting it into an unreadable format using algorithms like AES-256. Even if attackers gain physical access to storage, encrypted data remains secure without the decryption key.

2. Access Control Strategies: These restrict who can view or modify data, typically through authentication (e.g., passwords, multi-factor authentication) and authorization (e.g., role-based access control, RBAC).

Example: A healthcare database stores patient records.

• Encryption: All records are encrypted at rest using AES-256.
• Access Control: Only authorized doctors and nurses with specific roles can decrypt and access records via secure credentials. Even if a hacker steals the storage device, the data remains encrypted and unusable without the key.

In cloud environments, services like Tencent Cloud’s TDSQL support transparent data encryption (TDE) for storage, while CAM (Cloud Access Management) enforces fine-grained access policies, combining both layers effectively.