The three states that data can be in are at rest, in motion, and in use. When you are working on a file, it is in use. Even if you save it, it is still considered to be in use if you do not close the file but continue to access it. The concept of data in motion refers to transferring the data to a different device across a network. This also includes moving data to a USB stick or sending it to a printer. Data at rest refers to storing data. If a file in a directory is not in use, it is at rest.