SECAI Core · phase 4 of 15
Data in use
Information that is present in the volatile memory of a host, such as system memory or cache.
The Explain card
- Plain English
- Data in use is information sitting in a host's volatile memory, such as RAM or cache, while it is being actively processed.
- Example
- During inference, a model's weights and a user's prompt sit decrypted in GPU and system memory. A memory dump from a compromised host captures both.
- Why it matters
- Encryption at rest and in transit does not protect data while it is being processed. Confidential computing and memory isolation are how you defend models and prompts at this stage.
- Hook
- Locks on the safe do not help while the jewels are on the table.
Where it sits in the deck
Phase 4: Data Integrity, Governance, and Provenance
Once you know what data is, learn the principles that keep it trustworthy, traceable, and minimized throughout its lifecycle.
