Describe and discuss the methods and techniques to secure data at rest (DAR) and data in motion

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Describe and discuss the methods and techniques to secure data at rest (DAR) and data in motion (DIM).

Methods and Techniques to Secure Data at Rest (DAR) and Data in Motion (DIM):

Securing Data at Rest (DAR):

"Data at rest refers to any data in computer storage, including files on an employee's computer, corporate files on a server, or copies of these files on off-site tape backup. Protecting data at rest in a cloud is not radically different than protecting it outside a cloud. Generally speaking, the same principles apply (Winkler, V, (J.R) 2011)."

Encryption: Fortifying Data Security

Utilizing Strong Encryption Algorithms:

When protecting data that is not actively being used, it is crucial to use strong encryption techniques. An exemplary instance is the Advanced Encryption technology (AES-256), a widely embraced encryption technology renowned for its robustness against sophisticated attacks. Encryption is transforming sensitive data into an unintelligible format, rendering it incomprehensible to unauthorized parties.

Full Disk Encryption (FDE):

Full Disk Encryption (FDE) provides an extra level of security. Full Disk Encryption (FDE) guarantees the protection of entire storage devices by employing encryption to secure all the data stored on the disk. This all-encompassing strategy protects not just individual files or folders but the entire disk, reducing the possibility of illegal access to confidential data.

Tokenization: Strengthening Confidentiality

Implementing Tokenization:

Tokenization stands as a powerful technique in the arsenal of securing data at rest. This method involves substituting sensitive data with non-sensitive placeholders, known as tokens. By doing so, the data remains concealed, reducing the risk of storing confidential information. Tokenization adds an extra layer of security by ensuring that even if unauthorized access occurs, the accessed data holds no meaningful value without the corresponding tokens.

Secure Key Management: The Foundation of Encryption

Establishing a Secure Key Management System:

The effectiveness of encryption relies on the robustness of its cryptographic keys. It is crucial to have a strong key management system to guarantee the confidentiality of data. Encryption keys, utilized for encryption and decryption operations, necessitate safeguarding from unauthorized access. An effective key management system incorporates secure storage, frequent key rotation, and strict access constraints. Efficiently handling encryption keys is crucial in enhancing the overall security stance.

Compartmentalization: Virtual Enclaves for Added Security

Virtual Compartmentalization:

"Compartmentalization involves segregating data into functional areas within an organization, significantly contributing to the protection of data at rest. By creating virtual enclaves based on user identity and role, organizations can prevent unauthorized access based on functional roles. For instance, a user in the finance department can be isolated into a virtual compartment through technologies like VMware® Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, virtual LAN (802.1q VLAN), virtual SAN compartments (containing data specific to the finance department), and virtual servers. This virtual path of compartmentalization proves to be an effective and useful tool in enhancing data at rest security (Tipton & Krause, 2009)."

Securing Data in Motion (DIM):

"Securing data in transit is crucial to the successful use of the modern Internet and other remote network applications. This feat is typically accomplished through the use of robust cryptography. However, there is the possibility that advances in quantum computing could eventually relegate our most secure cryptographic algorithms to the history books (Wolfe, Graham, & Simon, 2018)."

Encryption: Safeguarding Data during Transmission

Implementing Strong Encryption Protocols:

Data in motion that is being transmitted across networks is vulnerable to interception and illegal access. To mitigate this issue, it is crucial to deploy robust encryption mechanisms. Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) often employ cryptographic technologies to ensure data security while it is being transmitted. These protocols establish a secure and encrypted communication connection, guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of data during transit.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a secure cryptographic protocol that ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data during transmission across a computer network. The software has evolved, with subsequent iterations targeting flaws and bolstering security measures.

Despite being an older version of the TLS protocol, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) remains significant in some situations. TLS and SSL employ cryptographic algorithms to safeguard communication by encrypting data and preventing unauthorized interception and manipulation.

Secure Protocols: Fortifying Network Communication

Using Secure Communication Protocols:

Aside from encryption, selecting communication protocols is vital in ensuring data security during transmission. HTTPS is an enhanced version of HTTP that ensures secure communication between a user's web browser and a server. This protocol utilizes encryption to ensure data security while it is being transmitted, which is particularly important for protecting confidential information shared over the internet.

HTTPS guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of data sent between users and websites. It employs encryption methods to cipher communication, making it far more difficult for malevolent entities to intercept or tamper with the delivered data.

Similarly, Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) guarantees the secure transfer of files, providing additional security for data in transit. SFTP functions through a secure conduit, commonly formed using the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol. This guarantees that files transported between systems are immune to interception or unauthorized access.

Data Integrity Checks: Ensuring Unaltered Data

Implementing Checksums or Hash Functions:

While encryption protects the secrecy of data, it is as important to ensure data integrity during transmission. Checksums or hash functions are utilized to ensure the integrity of transmitted data.

Checksums and hash functions produce a distinct identifier (checksum or hash) for the data, and any modification during transmission leads to a discrepancy. These techniques serve as a vigilant guard, swiftly detecting unlawful alterations or data corruption in transit.

Checksums are commonly employed in network communications to verify the integrity of transmitted packets. A checksum is computed and transmitted alongside the data when it is sent. Upon receiving, the recipient recalculates the checksum and compares it to the received checksum. A discrepancy suggests possible interference.

Hash functions, like SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit), produce hash values of a consistent size for data. Even a slight modification in the input data leads to a significantly distinct hash value. Verifying the hash at the receiving end may ensure that the sent data has not been altered.

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