What is the purpose of transport encryption in Vault?

The purpose of transport encryption in Vault is to ensure secure data in transit between clients and the server. This is crucial because, during communication, sensitive data such as tokens or secrets can be vulnerable to interception. By implementing transport encryption, typically through protocols like TLS (Transport Layer Security), Vault safeguards the confidentiality and integrity of data as it travels over the network. This ensures that even if an attacker manages to intercept the communication, they would not be able to read or alter the data without the appropriate encryption credentials.

In contrast, data at rest refers to the protection of stored information, which is not the focus of transport encryption. Protecting backups of secrets pertains to how data is safeguarded once it is stored, while managing access control involves regulating who can access certain secrets or data, which is a different aspect of security that does not relate directly to how data is transmitted securely over networks. Thus, recognizing the distinction between these various aspects of securing data is essential for understanding the role of transport encryption specifically.