Virtually every enterprise transmits some sensitive data via email at some point during the year. This data might have been accidentally sent or it might have been intercepted, which could result in a costly data breach. This unwanted result, combined with the all-too-common knowledge that human error is the top reason for a data breach, should be enough to convince any enterprise of implementing an email encryption software solution.
What Is Email Encryption?
One of the ways to combat the multitude of email attacks that occur on a daily basis is through encryption. Email encryption provides an additional level of security to enterprises. End-to-end encryption protects the inner contents of an internally or externally sent email, as well as any attached documents or metadata that is related to the message. In short, encryption protects the email and its contents during transit and when they reside on either your server or the recipient’s server.
Why Is Email Encryption Needed For The Modern-Day Enterprise?
Far too many enterprises understand the benefits of email encryption, but still fail to implement the security protocol into their business communications model. For any enterprise that is contemplating taking the next step in protecting their business data, as well as the personal data of their employees, here are three reasons to begin email encryption today:
- Plain and simply put, email encryption protects data. — Most companies have a standard disclaimer at the footer of their email. This disclaimer generally has the following type of wording, “This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify [company email address] and the sender of the message.” While this wording provides a certain legal safety net, it does nothing to protect the actual security of the data if the message is intercepted. Email encryption is the answer to protecting emails with sensitive data that have been mistakenly sent or intercepted by a hacker.
- Email encryption helps to prevent phishing scams. — How many times have you heard of a phishing scam spreading like wildfire throughout an organization? An unsuspecting recipient opens the email. The email releases its bug and consequently forwards to the original recipient’s entire internal contact list. Other individuals open the email and the cycle continues. This situation can, in part, be avoided through email encryption. If the second generation of recipients are only used to receiving internal encrypted emails, then they will immediately recognize that something is amiss with the email. Without the needed encryption, they won’t open the email, and the phishing scam is succinctly contained to the original recipient.
- A data breach costs an average of $4 million. — According to a recent IBM report, the average data breach in 2016 costs an enterprise $4 million. Combine this high cost with the fact that the number one cause for data breaches is human error, as well as the knowledge that the preferred method of choice for a hacker is email, and suddenly email encryption is clearly the missing security link. Once again, email encryption shows that it is the software product needed to protect both the confidentiality and integrity of emails in transit and in storage.
In a business world that revolves around digital communications, the moral of the story is clear: email encryption is needed for any enterprise. Whether it is through stringent policy-based encryption or encrypting every single email, enterprises can gain innumerable data security benefits from the simple act of initiating end-to-end email encryption. {Company} is the trusted choice when it comes to staying ahead of the latest information technology tips, tricks, and news. Contact us at (604) 986-8170 or send us an email at info@compunet.ca for more information.
