What does 'data in transit' refer to?

The term 'data in transit' specifically refers to data that is actively being transferred between two or more locations. This can involve sending data across a network, such as when files are uploaded to a server, transmitted over the internet, or shared between devices. Understanding this concept is crucial for implementing appropriate security measures, as data in transit is particularly vulnerable to interception or unauthorized access while it is being moved.

In contrast, data stored on physical devices pertains to data at rest, meaning it is not currently being transferred but is instead saved on devices like hard drives or cloud storage. Archived data in a backup system also falls under the category of data at rest, indicating that it is preserved for future recovery rather than being actively moved. Finally, while encrypted data can provide security for both data in transit and data at rest, encryption itself does not define the state of the data; it is a protective measure rather than a descriptor of movement or storage. Thus, the essence of 'data in transit' is focused on its active movement between locations.