Data in Motion: A Blind Spot in Your Zero Trust Security Strategy?

Most Zero Trust security strategies have focused on protecting data at rest and data in use, leaving data in motion exposed and dependent on outdated VPN technologies or limited SD-WAN implementations.

Data exists in three primary states:

• Data at Rest: Information stored on devices, servers, or cloud infrastructure, typically protected through encryption, access controls, and physical safeguards.
• Data in Use: Information actively being processed by applications or systems. Protected with methods such as memory encryption, secure enclaves, and runtime application self-protection (RASP).
• Data in Motion: Information transmitted across networks, between devices, or between cloud services. Without protection, data in motion is susceptible to interception, tampering, or unauthorized access during transit.

Traditional solutions such as SD-WAN and VPNs encrypt data and secure communication channels, but they have limitations. As quantum computing advances, many of the encryption algorithms they rely on become increasingly vulnerable to quantum attacks. These solutions also fail to secure data in motion that enters or exits their protected environments over untrusted networks, leaving organizations exposed to network tapping, packet inspection, and encryption compromise.

The primary risks to data in motion include:

• Interception and Eavesdropping: Unauthorized interception of sensitive information transmitted over untrusted networks.
• Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Interception and modification of data in transit, compromising integrity, confidentiality, and access control.
• Untrusted Network Connections: Sending data over public or unverified networks without protocol protection.
• Lack of Encryption: Transmitting unencrypted data makes sensitive information immediately readable if intercepted, violating privacy and compliance standards.
• Weak Encryption Algorithms: Outdated or insufficiently strong encryption protocols make data vulnerable to decryption.
• Malicious Network Nodes: Compromised or hostile network elements can intercept, modify, or redirect traffic.
• Data Leakage: Misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, or operational errors can unintentionally expose data in transit.
• Insider Threats: Malicious actors with access to network infrastructure can intercept and exfiltrate data.
• Insufficient Access Controls: Weak or improperly implemented authentication, authorization, or segmentation increases the risk of exposure.

SCATR™ addresses these risks with our patented, quantum-resistant Data Camouflage™ technology, delivered through the STUN™ security platform, to give organizations command and control over data in motion—ensuring quantum-resistant, resilient, and adaptive security across any IP-based transit path.