From our Business Communication Security series, today we are looking at email encryption, more specifically the end-to-end email encryption.
In the face of everyday cyber threats, protecting our data is a top priority. In this post, we will look at the different aspects of email encryption and the benefits for businesses and individuals.
Overview
- What is end-to-end encryption?
- Advantages for enterprise
- Disadvantage for companies
- Requirements
- One more thing
- Conclusion
What is end-to-end encryption?
With end-to-end email encryption, data is encrypted on the sender's device, transmitted, and decrypted on the recipient's device. Among the short messenger, we know the top dog: WhatsApp. Messages between family and friends are end-to-end encrypted. Unfortunately, only a split part of emails is still end-to-end encrypted, although an almost automated process already exists.
Advantages for companies
The implementation of email encryption offers companies numerous advantages. It strengthens the trust of customers and business partners, ensures compliance with data protection regulations and protects against possible legal consequences.
Disadvantage for companies
Although email encryption offers advantages, it may require adaptation of existing processes to ensure the ability to act in the event of defects or absence.
Requirements
Most email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, already support encryption with the S/MIME protocol. A certificate from a certification authority is required and then the user can set up the encryption.
One more thing
It only makes sense to encrypt an email if the recipient can decrypt it. If the recipient can't, you can at least sign emails with S/MIME. This doesn't mean a signature with your name and phone number, but a digital signature that identifies you as the sender. This can be helpful in the fight against phishing. More about phishing in our post anti phishing.
Conclusion
Email encryption is no longer just for high-security communication, but a effective tool to protect our digital communication. Despite some adjustments in work processes, the benefits for companies and individuals outweigh the disadvantages. The security of emails should not be left behind and the implementation of email encryption is the key to a protected digital exchange.
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