What Is Data in Use?

Data in use. It's not just a catchy phrase. It's your new best friend. Data in use is a term that refers to data that is not simply being passively stored in a stable destination, like a central data warehouse. It's not just being used as-is; it's working through other parts of an IT architecture. That could mean the data is generated, amended, updated, erased, or viewed through various interface endpoints. A little-known fact is that your data is highly vulnerable when not used. That's right—the notion behind safeguarding data in use is that information sets are vulnerable to different dangers as they move through an IT system. Endpoints are probably the most typical and fundamental issues with data usage. Endpoints are locations where data from a system is routed to a person's device or workstation. If you think this sounds like a big deal, you're right! It turns out that endpoints are hard to protect. For example, if someone can get into your computer while it's turned on, they can steal all your passwords and access all your accounts—and then go after the rest of your personal information too! The term "data in use" helps you pursue comprehensive security for your IT systems—and it sounds way cooler than "security." Security is not a new issue. People have been trying to keep data secure since the invention of "data." As the world becomes increasingly connected and complex, the security challenges we face are growing exponentially—and with them, our need for reliable solutions. While there are many challenges that businesses face when it comes to security and privacy, one of the most pressing is protecting their data during use. After all, if you're storing sensitive or confidential information on your systems and networks, you want validation that no one can access without permission or authorization. This is where endpoint security comes in: it's the practice of securing data at its source—protecting it from the devices from which employees or external users like customers or vendors access it.