Today’s organizations are increasingly using multiple data centers – in-house, colocation and cloud. Data is constantly transferred between locations through replication, backups, high availability systems or application integration. While the data centers themselves are sometimes very well protected, the transmission of information between them remains one of the most sensitive points in the IT infrastructure. Securing data in motion is becoming crucial today not only from a security perspective, but also from a regulatory compliance and business continuity perspective.
Key findings
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Data transmission between data centers is one of the most overlooked areas of security
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Classic security doesn’t always protect data in network traffic
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Encryption of data during transmission is key to protecting confidentiality
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Performance and safety must go hand in hand
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Transmission protection supports compliance with industry regulations and requirements
Table of contents
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Why data transmission between data centers is risky
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What are the risks to data transmitted over the network
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Why edge protections are not enough
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Encryption of data in motion – a key element of protection
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What research says about data transmission security
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Frequently asked questions
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Summary
Why data transmission between data centers is risky
Data sent between data centers often travel long distances, using third-party carrier networks or international connections. Even if the final locations are well secured, the very path between them can become a target for eavesdropping, interception or data manipulation. Many organizations assume that private links or carrier networks provide a sufficient level of protection, which is sometimes an incorrect assumption.
What are the risks to data transmitted over the network
The most common threats include transmission eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized access to data during transmission. The risk increases especially when replicating databases, synchronizing systems or transferring backups. In such scenarios, the data is often of a sensitive nature and its interception can lead to serious business and legal consequences.
Why edge protections are not enough
Firewalls and access control systems effectively protect the infrastructure at the network boundary, but they do not protect the content of the transmitted data itself. If the transmission is not adequately protected, the data can be readable by third parties, even if the network traffic is within a “trusted” infrastructure. This is why more and more attention is being paid to protecting data at the network layer, not just at the network edge.
Encryption of data in motion – a key element of protection
Effective protection of data transferred between data centers should be based on encryption of network traffic. It is crucial that the encryption is done without noticeable impact on the performance of applications and systems. Solutions offered by Certes Networks make it possible to protect data traffic at the network level, ensuring the confidentiality of information without modifying applications or system architecture.
This approach protects all transmitted data – regardless of its type – and minimizes the risk of information leakage during transmission.
What research says about data transmission security
Studies of security incidents show that an increasing number of breaches involve data intercepted during transmission. Experts emphasize that transmission encryption is becoming the standard in organizations that process sensitive or regulated data. Companies that implement data protection in motion significantly reduce the risk of breaches and increase the trust of customers and business partners.
Frequently asked questions
Should data between data centers always be encrypted?
Yes, especially if they contain sensitive or business-critical information.
Does encryption affect the performance of systems?
Modern solutions minimize the impact on performance and latency.
Is it enough to secure only selected connections?
The most secure approach is to protect all traffic between locations.
Summary
Securing data moving between data centers is one of the key elements of a modern IT security strategy. In the era of distributed environments and intensive information exchange, protecting data in motion becomes as important as securing the data centers themselves. Encrypting transmissions effectively reduces the risk of information leakage while ensuring the continuity and efficiency of systems.
