# Ensure compute instance has in-transit encryption enabled

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_1790698520842389-ensure-compute-instance-has-in-transit-encryption-enabled
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [Oracle Cloud](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/c_1790697859097233) › [Checks](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/f_1790697878907807)
- Last updated: 2026-09-29
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

**Description**

Ensure in-transit encryption is enabled for compute instances, so that data moving between the instance and its paravirtualized boot and block volumes is encrypted. This setting is shown as In-transit encryption under the instance's launch options and on each volume attachment.

**Rationale**

Data sent between an instance and its storage travels over the provider's internal network. Without in-transit encryption, this traffic could be read or changed if the path were compromised. Enabling it protects the confidentiality and integrity of data in transit, alongside the at-rest encryption that OCI always applies.

**Impact**

-   Encrypts data between instances and their volumes
    
-   Protects against interception on internal paths
    
-   Some attachments may need to be detached and reattached
    

**Default Value**

In-transit encryption is enabled by default for supported shapes and images when the instance is created, but it can be turned off.

**Pre-Requisites**

-   Permission to manage instances and volume attachments in the compartment
    
-   A maintenance window if volumes must be reattached
    

**Test Plan**

1.  Sign in to the OCI Console at [https://cloud.oracle.com](https://cloud.oracle.com/).
    
2.  Open the navigation menu, select Compute, and select Instances. Choose the compartment and select the instance.
    
3.  In the Instance information section, under Launch options, check that In-transit encryption shows Enabled.
    
4.  Open the Storage (or Attached block volumes) section and check that each paravirtualized attachment has in-transit encryption enabled.
    
5.  If it is disabled, follow the implementation steps.
    

**Implementation Steps**

1.  Sign in to the OCI Console at [https://cloud.oracle.com](https://cloud.oracle.com/).
    
2.  Open the navigation menu, select Compute, and select Instances. Choose the compartment and select the instance.
    
3.  Open the boot volume attachment, select Edit, enable Use in-transit encryption, and save.
    
4.  For each attached paravirtualized block volume, open the attachment's Actions menu, select Edit, enable Use in-transit encryption, and save.
    
5.  If Edit is not available for an attachment, detach the volume and reattach it with Use in-transit encryption selected.
    
6.  Alternatively, run: oci compute boot-volume-attachment update --boot-volume-attachment-id <attachment-ocid> --is-pv-encryption-in-transit-enabled true
    

**Backout Plan**

1.  Sign in to the OCI Console at [https://cloud.oracle.com](https://cloud.oracle.com/).
    
2.  Open the navigation menu, select Compute, and select Instances. Choose the compartment and select the instance.
    
3.  Edit the attachment again, clear Use in-transit encryption, and save.
    

**Reference**

-   [https://docs.oracle.com/en-us/iaas/Content/Block/Concepts/blockvolumeencryption.htm](https://docs.oracle.com/en-us/iaas/Content/Block/Concepts/blockvolumeencryption.htm)
    
-   [https://hub.prowler.com/check/compute\_instance\_in\_transit\_encryption\_enabled](https://hub.prowler.com/check/compute_instance_in_transit_encryption_enabled)

## Related compliance guidance

- [SOC 2 compliance: a practical implementation guide for cloud-native SaaS teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/soc-2-trust-services-criteria): Configuration checks like this one are the technical half of a SOC 2 / ISO 27001 programme — the guide shows where they fit, what else an auditor expects, and how to evidence them.
- [ISO/IEC 27001:2022 compliance: a practical implementation guide](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/iso-27001-2022): ISO 27001 Annex A.8 (technological controls) is where cloud hardening evidence lands; the guide shows how to run the ISMS around it.