What is a common method to ensure data confidentiality while in transport?

To ensure data confidentiality while in transport, the use of SSL/TLS is a well-established method. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security), are cryptographic protocols designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. They accomplish this by encrypting the data exchanged between a client and a server, ensuring that any intercepted data remains unintelligible to unauthorized parties.

When SSL/TLS is implemented, it not only protects the confidentiality of the data in transit but also offers integrity and authenticity through mechanisms like digital certificates. This level of security is particularly important for sensitive transactions, such as online banking or data transfers involving personal information.

While access controls are vital for protecting data at rest and managing who can access certain information, they do not specifically address the confidentiality of data during transmission. Strong passwords play a crucial role in securing accounts and access points but do not provide encryption for data transmission. Digital signatures are important for verifying the authenticity of a message but do not encrypt the content itself, meaning that they do not ensure confidentiality when data is in transit.

Therefore, SSL/TLS stands out as the most effective option for ensuring that data remains confidential while being transferred over networks.