In-transit encryption is the protection of data as it’s moving from one location to another. For example, when information is being sent between devices, across a network, or to and from a cloud service. Instead of waiting until data reaches its destination, encryption locks it down the moment it begins to travel, ensuring that anyone who intercepts the traffic can’t read or tamper with it.
This form of encryption is essential in environments where sensitive information is routinely exchanged. In healthcare, it helps secure patient records as they move between hospitals, labs, and cloud systems. In finance, it protects payment details, trading information, and authentication data as they pass through online banking platforms. In defense, in-transit encryption shields mission-critical communications from interception, even across unstable or hostile networks.
Encrypting data on the move means organizations can reduce exposure to eavesdropping attacks, man-in-the-middle intrusions, and network-based threats. It’s a foundational requirement in many compliance frameworks, including GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and NIST guidelines, making it a core control for any business handling confidential or regulated data.