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Email Encryption

RMail specializes in security and compliance with its top-rated email encryption, auditable proof-of-privacy compliance, and certified e-delivery services.

RMail® email encryption makes it easy to encrypt sensitive email and attachments for security or regulatory compliance. RMail automatically delivers encrypted with the simplest user experience for each recipient and provides manual or automated options for delivery using different levels of encryption or different recipient experiences.

RMail email encryption also includes a one-click, bi-directional encrypted reply option for recipients and returns a Registered Receipt™ email record to the sender, serving as auditable proof of data privacy compliance (i.e. HIPAA, GDPR) on a message-by-message basis.

RMail encryption goes far beyond basic TLS and link-retrieval systems.


Automation:

  • RMail automatically detects the best method of delivery to each recipient to dynamically provide each recipient the simplest user experience without need to register or click links to retrieve a message.
  • RMail includes predictive technologies to automatically encrypt messages based on message content or structure.
  • RMail adapts the message transmission method based on message size, for messages over a pre-determined threshold.

Dynamic:

Most users default to RMail dynamic encryption where the message is first attempted to be sent using secure Transmission Encryption, and if the level of security available is not adequate (minimums set by sender), the transmission dynamically reverts to secondary Message Level Encryption.

Outbox-to-Inbox Protection:

RMail includes options, on a message-by-message basis, or based on content policy automation, to force Message Level Encryption (AES 256-bit encrypted PDF) from the sender’s Outbox to and inside the recipient’s Inbox. There are a variety of settings and password delivery options.

Encrypted Reply:

Each sent message includes a one-click option for the recipient to reply and upload up to 200 MB of attachments per reply, so they return to the sender using the same encryption method as the original sent message.

Auditable Proof of Privacy Compliance:

RMail encrypted email returns a Registered Receipt™ email record that serves as an audit-ready forensic proof record of GDPR and HIPAA privacy compliance.

Endless Configurations:

RMail encryption includes a variety of encryption methods, policy rules, compliance tracking, delivery tracking, branding, and other options. Ask to learn more!

To watch a technical video about RMail email encryption, click here.

Developers may build the patented RMail® email encryption and Encrypted Registered Email™ services into their applications using email routing rules or the RMail REST API; and may retrieve the message delivery status and Registered Receipt™ proof records via email routing rules or REST API.

Contact an RMail integration specialist to learn how to integrate RMail into your platform, messaging systems or business operations.

FAQ

Email is the primary mode of business communication. Considering that email encryption is important for several reasons:

  • Privacy: Cyberattacks are mounting. Email encryption ensures emails remain private and any sensitive data (personal or financial) contained within the body of the email or attachments are only accessible to the intended recipient.
  • Security: Encryption adds an additional layer of security to emails, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to access or steal sensitive information. Encryption involves several sophisticated techniques, where emails can only be deciphered with a special key or password (in some cases), making them much harder to hack.
  • Compliance: Certain industries, such as healthcare and finance, have strict regulations around PII, data privacy, and security. Email encryption helps ensure compliance with these regulations and prevent costly fines or legal issues.
  • Reputation: Using encryption helps businesses to protect their and their customer’s sensitive data and shows that you take data security seriously. This helps build trust and protect their reputation in the event of a data breach or cyberattack.

So, a business of any size needs a robust email encryption solution to keep them on top of the cybersecurity evolution.

Despite the rising number of cyberattacks and data breaches, email encryption is not widely used by businesses for several reasons:

  • Complexity: Email encryption can be a complex process that requires specialized set-up or tools, making it difficult for some businesses to implement. Even employees might find it challenging to use, leading to lower adoption rates.
  • Cost: Some email encryption solutions can be costly, hindering small businesses with limited budgets. If they haven’t experienced a data breach yet, it would make it difficult for them to justify the expense.
  • Lack of Awareness: Many businesses are simply not aware of the risks associated with email communication and the importance of email encryption.
  • Interoperability: Email encryption might pose some challenges when it comes to implementation across different email clients and platforms. This can create interoperability issues and make it challenging for businesses to communicate securely with their clients or partners.
  • User Experience: Some email encryption solutions can sometimes make the email user experience more cumbersome, with additional steps required to access encrypted messages. This can lead to lower user adoption rates.

Email encryption protects against unauthorized or unintentional access to the content of email messages. It ensures that only the intended recipient can read the email and any sensitive information residing within the messages or attachments is not accessible to others who aren’t meant to see it. It is a big enabler for privacy, essentially when sharing financial data or health information.

Encryption also protects against email spoofing, phishing attacks, and BEC attacks which are expected methods used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive information. In fact, 80% of organizations have experienced cybercriminal BEC attacks over the last year and they start with email eavesdropping activities.

Email encryption ensures that the recipient can verify the authenticity (not an impostor), helping prevent mis-wires. Without encryption, email messages are out in the open and can be intercepted by anyone with access to the network, i.e., internet service providers and hackers, leading to identity thefts. Email encryption uses complex algorithms to obscure the content of an email message, making it unreadable – much like multiple check posts of security.

Most of us imagine there is already a protective gateway for our email messages. Emails are not inherently encrypted because the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) used to transmit email messages was designed to be a simple and lightweight protocol. When SMTP was developed in the 1980s, security concerns were not as prevalent as today, and the focus was on delivering messages quickly and efficiently rather than ensuring their privacy.

Then came advanced email encryption protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). But they were not widely adopted or implemented as default, mainly because it requires both the sender and recipient to have compatible encryption software and to exchange encryption keys, which can be a cumbersome process for many users.

Today, to reduce the hassle of exchanging keys and separate installations, cybersecurity service providers have upped their game with seamless integration to email inboxes with features that dynamically adapt even outside the TLS. So, choosing the best fit, and encrypting your emails should now be your next big thing.

Yes, end-to-end email encryption is still relevant, especially for businesses that handle sensitive or confidential information. End-to-end encryption or E2EE ensures that only the intended recipient of an email can decrypt and read its contents, making it nearly impossible for anyone else to intercept or access the information.

Email remains one of the most vulnerable points of entry for hackers looking to steal confidential information such as financial data, customer data, and intellectual property. End-to-end encryption offers an additional layer of security to protect businesses from potential data breaches. It ensures that the email remains secure even if it is intercepted in transit or stored on a third-party server.

Encryption keys (public key/private key) are the main components of E2EE - generated on the sender's device (public key) and shared only with the intended recipient. The message is encrypted using the public key and transmitted to the recipient's device, where it’s decrypted only using the recipient's private key.

End-to-end email encryption also helps businesses comply with data protection regulations, such as European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the US. These regulations require businesses to take appropriate measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, and non-compliance leads to hefty fines, as well as loss of reputation and trust.

In summary, end-to-end email encryption is still relevant for businesses as it provides an extra layer of security against cyberattacks and helps comply with data protection regulations. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for businesses to consider implementing end-to-end encryption as part of their overall cybersecurity strategy.

The question of whether received emails are encrypted depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of encryption used, the email servers involved, and whether both the sender and recipient support encryption.

One common method of email encryption is transport layer security (TLS), a protocol that encrypts email data during transmission between email servers. In TLS, when an email is sent from one server to another, the email data is encrypted before being transmitted over the Internet. When the email arrives at the recipient's email server, it is automatically decrypted and delivered to the recipient's inbox.

However, not all emails are encrypted using TLS due to several reasons. The primary reason is that the sender's or receiver’s email server may not support TLS encryption. If TLS isn’t supported on the sender’s side, the email is sent as plain text, which means that anyone who intercepts the email can read its contents. And when TLS isn’t supported on the recipient’s side, again, the email will be delivered as plain text, even if it was encrypted during transmission.

Another reason could be the fact that the recipient’s or sender’s email server is transmitting messages via the Simple Mail Transport Protocol, or what is known as SMTP. It is an insecure transfer protocol, where encryption is sometimes lost in between; meaning that data can be intercepted in transit.

In this case, it becomes an easy pinhole for criminals to eavesdrop on emails. That’s why cybersecurity experts always encourage you to encrypt your emails, so you don’t have to worry about whether your recipient’s email has encryption or not.

Selecting an email service provider can be a crucial decision, as it affects how you communicate with others and how your data is stored and protected. Here are some factors to consider when choosing an email service provider:

  • Security, Privacy, and Compliance: While prioritizing safety, choose a service provider that keeps your data protected from cybercriminals and takes care of privacy compliance and legal proofing.
  • Technology: As much as it is easy to choose a brand, you must pick a provider that offers technological advancement (real-time e-security) and is functional and easy to adopt.
  • User Experience: Many encryption providers can be complex to handle. Choose one that fits your needs as well as is easy to navigate. Pro-tip: Look for providers that integrate with your existing email service to save the hassle.
  • Support: A friendly support team will bring you the best service because there is knowledge and peace of mind.
  • Pricing: The service you choose must fit the budget of your organization. See if the provider has options to accommodate different group sizes, requirements, and personalization without compromising the quality of features.

Email encryption is significant for anyone who values the privacy and security of their communications, particularly those who regularly send sensitive or confidential information via email. Some specific groups of people who might need email encryption include:

  • Business professionals: exchange of sensitive information such as financial data, client information, and trade secrets via email need encryption to protect from unauthorized access.
  • Journalists and activists: encryption to protect their sources and communications from interception or surveillance by governments or other entities.
  • Healthcare providers: Healthcare providers must comply with HIPAA regulations and protect the privacy and security of patient data.
  • Legal professionals: exchange confidential information with clients, such as legal briefs, contracts, and other sensitive documents. Email encryption protects such information from an illicit breach.

Several factors contribute to what makes the best email encryption service. Here are some of the key considerations:

  • End-to-end encryption
  • Ease of use
  • Cost
  • Compatibility (compatible with the email client and device you use and must work seamlessly with your existing workflow)
  • Security features (intelligent recommendations, proof of authenticity, digital signatures, real-time alerts, and access controls)
  • Privacy (a robust privacy compliance policy that does not collect or share your personal information without your consent.)

Compromising on any of these criteria can prove to be challenging for your business. You must consider an email encryption software that offers all of these and much more advanced capabilities.