Corrosion protection of magnetic recording media is achieved by providing a thin protective barrier layer comprising ruthenium on the magnetic layer. Embodiments include forming a corrosion barrier layer less than 10 Å of elemental ruthenium, a ruthenium oxide, a ruthenium alloy, a layer comprising mixed oxides of ruthenium and an alloying element, a composite of a ruthenium layer and a layer of ruthenium oxide or a composite of a ruthenium alloy layer and a layer of mixed oxides of ruthenium and an alloying element. A carbon containing an overcoat is then formed, as at a thickness of about 10 Å to 50 Å, on the corrosion protective layer.