# Why is internal encryption necessary for east-west traffic?

- Link: https://www.agilicus.com/faq/why-is-internal-encryption-necessary-for-east-west-traffic/
- Published: 2026-05-11T15:50:14+00:00
- Author: Don Bowman

Internal encryption ensures that all communication within a network, often referred
to as east-west traffic, is cryptographically protected from sniffing and interception.
In many industrial environments, data is sent in plain text once it passes the perimeter,
allowing an attacker who has gained internal access to capture sensitive administrative
credentials or process data. By using a managed internal certificate authority to
encrypt all traffic between internal assets, you ensure that every session remains
private and secure. See our [blueprint for encrypting internal traffic](https://www.agilicus.com/a-pragmatic-blueprint-for-industrial-cyber-security/).

For more information, see [Industrial Cyber Security Best Practices](https://www.agilicus.com/white-papers/industrial-cyber-security-best-practices/).