Secure data transfer is critical when sharing data between researchers, institutions, or public health bodies. Key methods include:
- Encryption: Just like data at rest, data in transit should be encrypted using protocols like TLS (Transport Layer Security) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). - Secure File Transfer Protocols: Using secure file transfer protocols such as SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) can help ensure data is transferred safely. - Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs provide a secure channel for data transfer over the internet by encrypting the internet connection and masking the user's IP address. - Tokenization: This process replaces sensitive data with tokens that can be securely transferred without exposing the actual data.
