Data in Transit

Data in transit refers to data actively moving from one location to another, whether being transmitted across a network, the internet, or between devices. This state of data is particularly vulnerable to interception, making it essential for organizations to implement robust security measures.

This blog explores the definition of data in transit, the types of networks involved, and various examples of data in transit. It also covers the threats to data in transit, methods for protecting it, and regulatory compliance considerations.

Let's get started!

What is Data in Transit?

Data in transit, also known as data in motion, refers to information actively moving from one location to another, typically across a network, such as the Internet or a corporate local area network (LAN). This type of data is particularly vulnerable to security threats, including eavesdropping, data interception, and ransomware attacks, as it travels through multiple servers and networks.

Data in Transit: Public vs. Private Networks

Data in transit flows across two main types of networks, each with distinct characteristics and security implications:

1. Public/untrusted Networks: This category includes data transmitted over the internet, a vast and open network where information can pass through numerous intermediaries. Because public networks expose data to potential threats like unauthorized access, interception, and tampering, organizations must employ robust encryption and secure protocols to protect sensitive information during transmission.

2. Private Networks: This category refers to data transmitted within corporate or enterprise Local Area Networks (LANs). These networks are typically confined within a specific organization, offering more control over access and security measures. However, while private networks reduce the risk of external threats, they still require rigorous internal security practices to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other internal security incidents.

Data in Transit Examples

This section explores examples of how different types of data travel, highlighting potential vulnerabilities and the need for robust security measures.

Emails

Emails travel from the sender's email client to the recipient's email server. During this journey, they pass through various network devices, including routers and mail servers. This process involves multiple network hops, exposing the email content to potential risks such as unauthorized access, interception, and tampering.

Instant Messaging

Messages exchanged on platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or WhatsApp are transmitted in real time between users. These messages travel across various network nodes before reaching their intended recipients. Despite often employing end-to-end encryption, these communications remain vulnerable during transmission if intercepted or if encryption protocols are weak or outdated.

File Transfers

Files uploaded to cloud services such as Google Drive or shared over a network between devices traverse multiple networks, including both public internet and private corporate networks. This movement through diverse networks exposes the files to potential interception and data breaches if not properly secured.

Video Calls

During video conferences on platforms like Zoom or Skype, audio and video data flow between participants through various internet service providers and network nodes. This data can be susceptible to eavesdropping or tampering if the transmission is not adequately protected by robust security measures.

Website Requests

When users browse the internet, they send requests to servers for web pages or resources. These requests, along with the responses they generate—such as loading a webpage or fetching an image—travel across the internet through multiple network devices. This process involves several potential points of interception and requires effective security measures to protect data during transmission.

Business Data Transfers

Organizations frequently share sensitive information with external partners or vendors through secure file transfer protocols. This data, which includes financial reports, legal documents, or confidential business strategies, must be protected during transit to prevent breaches or theft. The integrity of these transfers is critical for maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding intellectual property.

Remote Work

Data transferred between a remote employee's device and cloud-based applications, or files shared among team members, moves across both public and private networks. The increase in remote work has amplified the volume of sensitive data traveling through these networks, necessitating enhanced security measures to protect data in transit.

E-commerce Transactions

Credit card numbers and personal data submitted during online purchases are transmitted from the customer's device to the e-commerce platform's server. This data is vulnerable to interception, especially when transmitted over unsecured networks. Effective encryption and secure transmission protocols are essential to protect this information from unauthorized access.

Social Media

Personal data and messages shared on social media platforms travel across the internet to reach the platform's servers and other users. This data movement involves multiple network paths and potential security risks, requiring robust protections to ensure privacy and prevent unauthorized access during transmission.

Threats to Data in Transit

Data in transit faces significant cybersecurity threats due to its active movement across networks. Organizations must recognize and address these vulnerabilities to protect sensitive information.

Eavesdropping

Attackers can intercept data traveling over unsecured networks, compromising its confidentiality. They use tools like packet sniffers to monitor and capture communications, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information.

This highlights the importance of encrypting data during transmission, ensuring that even if intercepted, the data remains unreadable and protected from exploitation.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

In Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, an intruder intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties without their knowledge. The attacker may inject malicious software, modify data, or even impersonate one of the parties involved, undermining the integrity and trustworthiness of the communication. Organizations must use secure communication protocols and robust encryption to prevent MITM attacks and ensure data authenticity during transmission.

Third-Party Vulnerabilities

Sharing data with external partners or vendors introduces significant risks if these third parties lack robust security measures. Vulnerabilities in third-party systems, such as outdated software or weak encryption, can lead to accidental data leaks or deliberate breaches. Organizations must vet third-party security practices, enforce stringent data-sharing policies, and establish secure communication channels to mitigate these risks.

Ransomware Attacks

Attackers can intercept and encrypt data in transit, then demand a ransom for its release, leading to ransomware attacks. These attacks can disrupt business operations, causing significant financial losses and reputational damage.

To counteract this threat, organizations must implement strong encryption protocols and continuous monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious activities in real-time, ensuring the integrity of data during transit.

Data Theft

Unencrypted data in transit is particularly vulnerable to unauthorized access by attackers seeking to steal sensitive information. Exploiting this weakness can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, or corporate espionage, with severe consequences for individuals and organizations. To prevent data theft, organizations must employ end-to-end encryption, secure transmission protocols, and regular security audits to protect data throughout its journey.

Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

Denial of Service (DoS) attacks overwhelm network resources, disrupting data transmission and potentially leading to data loss or delays. Attackers flood the network with excessive traffic, making it difficult or impossible for legitimate data to pass through.

Organizations can mitigate the impact of DoS attacks by implementing network security measures, such as traffic filtering, load balancing, and redundant network paths, ensuring data continues to flow even under attack.

Packet Sniffing

Packet sniffing involves attackers capturing data packets as they travel across a network, allowing them to extract sensitive information such as login credentials or personal data. This type of attack is particularly effective on unsecured or poorly encrypted networks.

Organizations must use strong encryption and secure communication channels to prevent packet sniffing, ensuring that intercepted data remains inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

Protecting Data in Transit

Securing data in transit involves employing various methods to ensure its protection as it travels across networks. This section outlines key strategies for maintaining data confidentiality and integrity during transmission.

1. Encryption Methods

Encryption methods secure data in transit by converting it into an unreadable format. These methods use algorithms to encode data, making it accessible only with a specific key or password, thus protecting it from unauthorized access and maintaining its confidentiality and integrity.

These protocols encrypt data as it moves over the internet, ensuring secure communication between devices.

• Transport Layer Security (TLS)

  Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a widely adopted cryptographic protocol designed to secure communication over a network. TLS ensures that sensitive data, such as passwords, credit card details, and personal information, remains protected while in transit between a user's device and a server. TLS achieves this by encrypting the data, making it unreadable to anyone who might intercept it during transmission. TLS is commonly used in web browsers, email clients, and various other applications to establish secure connections over the internet, often indicated by the "https://" prefix in URLs.

• Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)

  Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a secure method for transferring files over a network, leveraging the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol to provide strong encryption and authentication. SFTP encrypts both the data being transferred and the commands used to facilitate the transfer. This ensures that sensitive files remain confidential and protected from unauthorized access during transit. SFTP also supports robust authentication methods, such as public key authentication, which verifies the identity of both the client and the server before allowing a transfer to proceed. SFTP is widely used in environments where secure data exchange is critical, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, and enterprises that handle sensitive information.

2. Managed File Transfer (MFT)

Managed File Transfer (MFT) secures data in transit by encrypting files during the upload process and generating a secure download link. This link, sent via email or other methods, allows recipients to download the file through HTTPS, ensuring the data remains protected from unauthorized access. MFT also offers features like audit trails and real-time monitoring, enabling organizations to track and secure file transfers while maintaining compliance with data protection regulations.

3. Data Leak Prevention (DLP)

Data Leak Prevention (DLP) safeguards data in transit by detecting and blocking attempts to send sensitive or confidential information outside the organization. DLP systems monitor network traffic in real time, identifying patterns or keywords associated with sensitive data, such as financial records, personal information, and credit card numbers. When a potential leak is detected, DLP can automatically block the transmission, alert security teams, and enforce policies that prevent unauthorized data sharing, helping to protect the organization from data breaches and compliance violations.

4. Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Digital Rights Management (DRM) secures data in transit by granting specific permissions, such as reading or editing, without fully decrypting the data. DRM systems apply encryption to protect content and allow only authorized users to interact with the data according to predefined permissions. These systems also track and audit user activities, ensuring that any access or modification attempts are recorded and controlled. By maintaining limited and secure access, DRM helps organizations prevent unauthorized distribution and ensure that sensitive information remains protected throughout its lifecycle.

5. Secure Communication Protocols

Protocols like HTTPS, SSH, and SFTP are essential for safeguarding data in transit. They provide secure channels for data transfer, minimizing the risk of interception or tampering. By also supporting authentication methods, they verify the identities of communicating parties, further reducing the risk of unauthorized access and ensuring secure, reliable data exchanges. Organizations widely implement these protocols to protect sensitive information and maintain trust in digital communications.

6. Access Controls

Access controls enhance file security by restricting unauthorized access and ensuring that only verified users can access sensitive information. Key access controls include:

• User Authentication

  User authentication ensures that individuals are who they claim to be before allowing access to files or systems. This process can involve a range of methods, including biometrics (fingerprints or facial recognition), passwords, or smart cards. Each method verifies identity to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information.

• Two-factor authentication (2FA)

  Two-factor authentication (2FA) enhances security by requiring two distinct forms of verification: something the user knows, such as a password, and something the user has, such as a smart card or security token. This layered approach significantly diminishes the likelihood of unauthorized access, adding an extra level of protection.

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

  Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) restricts access to files and systems based on a user’s role within the organization. By ensuring that individuals can only access information pertinent to their job responsibilities, RBAC effectively minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and protects confidential data.

Final Thoughts

Securing data in transit is crucial for protecting sensitive information as it moves across networks and systems. Implementing robust methods such as encryption, secure file transfer protocols, and effective access controls can significantly mitigate the risk of interception and unauthorized access.

For organizations aiming to enhance their security measures, Akto provides a range of solutions designed to safeguard data and ensure its integrity during transmission. Integrating Akto’s advanced security features into data protection strategies helps address potential risks and maintain the confidentiality of critical information. For more insights into securing data and optimizing security practices, explore Akto’s resources.

Book a demo with Akto today!