What is the third state of data known as?

The correct identification of the third state of data as "Data in process" relates to how data is being utilized within a system. In the context of data states, there are three primary categories: data at rest, data in transit (or transmission), and data in process.

Data at rest refers to data that is stored and not actively being used, such as files saved on a hard drive. Data in transmission pertains to data that is currently being transferred over a network. In contrast, data in process is actively being manipulated or processed by applications, such as when a user is interacting with software that is making real-time calculations or processing queries.

Understanding these states is critical for cybersecurity practices, as each state presents different risks and requires specific security measures. For instance, data in process may face threats like unauthorized access or modifications during active usage, which necessitates protective strategies like application security and access controls to safeguard sensitive information during its active state.