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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Intermediate

Data in Use

Data actively being processed in memory or by a CPU, which is typically unencrypted during computation.

Definition

Data in use is the hardest state to protect because applications must access plaintext to compute on it. Protections include memory isolation, trusted execution environments, confidential computing, and homomorphic encryption. Attacks include memory scraping and side-channel attacks.

Example

Confidential VMs using AMD SEV-SNP keep memory encrypted while a workload runs in the cloud.

Exam tip

Confidential computing and secure enclaves are the answer for protecting data in use.

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