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What is Data in Transit?

Data in transit is information that is moving from one location to another. It could be travelling between networks or from local to cloud storage. When in motion, data is considered more vulnerable to interception and tampering compared to data at rest.

Example of data in transit

Bob uses WhatsApp to send a message to Greg. Bob opens the app on his smartphone and types the message. The message is currently data at rest. When Bob presses ‘send’, the message is transmitted over the internet to WhatsApp’s servers and then to Greg’s smartphone. During the transmission to and from the servers, the message is considered data in transit.

Reasons to secure data in transit

Here’s why you need to secure data in transit:

Protect sensitive data

Data in transit is vulnerable to breaches. It is exposed to severe security risks, including eavesdropping, ransomware and data breaches. Encryption is critical for maintaining the security and privacy of sensitive data.

Ensure the trust of customers and suppliers

Securing data in transit ensures that confidential client information cannot be intercepted by unauthorised parties. This improves trust with suppliers and customers.

Control access to data

Data containing sensitive information can be at risk of modification or tampering when in transit to its intended recipient. Implementing authentication and identity verification methods can help prevent unauthorised access. 

Regulatory compliance

There are strict regulatory requirements in jurisdictions around the world to ensure data security. Protecting data in transit can help businesses maintain compliance with these laws and avoid legal repercussions including financial penalties.

How to secure data in transit

Using the latest encryption technologies and protocols can help secure data in transit. Here are a few examples:      

Secure protocols

  • SSL/TLS: Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security protocol encrypts data sent through the Internet. It uses asymmetric encryption initially and then symmetric encryption to create a secure client-server session and enable protected data exchange.
  • HTTPS: HTTPS is the secure version of HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) that protects data exchanged between web browsers and websites. It prevents the data from being broadcast using traffic encryption and SSL certificates.
  • SFTP: Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) offers a secure way to transfer files between computers. It uses the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol to establish a locked client-server connection, enabling encrypted network communication sessions.

Encryption technologies

  • VPNs: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows users to establish an encrypted connection over a public network. It encodes all data transferred between the user’s device and the VPN server, securing data in transit.
  • GPG: GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) is a cryptographic tool that encrypts data in motion and allows users to digitally sign data, ensuring its integrity and authenticity during transmission.
  • 2FA and MFA: Two- and Multi-Factor Authentication systems confirm the sender and receiver’s identities via passwords, biometric scans and security tokens.

When is securing data in transit critical?

Here are some examples where protecting data in transit is crucial:

  • While carrying out online purchases, when customers enter personal and financial information, including credit card numbers and billing addresses.
  • While performing online banking activities, which involve the transfer of sensitive information such as account numbers and transaction details.
  • During online voice and video calls, which leave users vulnerable to eavesdropping.

*Disclaimer: This content does not constitute legal advice. The suitability, enforceability or admissibility of electronic documents will likely depend on many factors such as the country or state where you operate, the country or state where the electronic document will be distributed as well as the type of electronic document involved. Appropriate legal counsel should be consulted to analyze any potential legal implications and questions related to the use of electronic documents.