Data in-use, at-rest, in-transit

Understanding the states of data is crucial for implementing appropriate security measures. Here are the three primary states of data and their definitions:

Data in Transit (Data in Motion):

Definition: Data in transit refers to data actively moving from one location to another, such as across the internet or through a private network.

Examples:

• Sending an email.

• Transferring files over FTP.

• Accessing a web page.

• Streaming video or audio.

Security Measures:

• Encryption: Encrypt data during transmission using protocols such as TLS (Transport Layer Security) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to protect against interception and eavesdropping.

• Secure Channels: Use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) or secure tunneling protocols to create encrypted connections.

• Integrity Checks: Use checksums or digital signatures to ensure data integrity during transit.

Data in Use:

Definition: Data in use refers to data that is actively being processed by applications, systems, or users. This includes data in temporary storage like RAM or cache.

Examples:

• Data being analyzed or manipulated in an application.

• Information displayed on a user's screen.

• Temporary data stored in memory during processing.

Security Measures:

• Access Controls: Ensure only authorized users and applications have access to data in use.

• Encryption: Some advanced systems can perform operations on encrypted data (homomorphic encryption), but generally, data is decrypted while in use.

• Environment Security: Secure the environment where data is processed, including physical security measures and ensuring that the systems are free from malware.

Data at Rest:

Definition: Data at rest refers to data that is stored on physical media (hard drives, SSDs, cloud storage, etc.) and not actively being processed or transmitted.

Examples:

• Databases.

• Files stored on a hard drive.

• Archived emails.

Security Measures:

• Encryption: Encrypt data stored on physical media to protect against unauthorized access in case of theft or breaches (e.g., AES encryption).

• Access Controls: Implement strict access control policies to ensure only authorized personnel can access data.

• Backup and Recovery: Regularly back up data and implement disaster recovery plans to protect against data loss.

• Physical Security: Protect the physical location of data storage devices, such as data centers or server rooms.

Summary:

• Data in Transit: Data moving between locations, protected by encryption and secure channels.

• Data in Use: Data actively being processed, secured by access controls and environment security.

• Data at Rest: Data stored on physical media, safeguarded by encryption, access controls, and physical security.

Implementing appropriate security measures for each state of data ensures comprehensive protection against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats.

data in-transit moves across the network.

Data at-rest is located on a storage device.

Data in-use is in the memory of a device.