Best Email Encryption Platforms For 2026
Discover the top Email Encryption platforms. Examine their features, security and reporting.
Written by
Joel Witts
Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Quick Summary
For zero-access encryption, Proton Mail uses end-to-end encryption kept private from everyone including Proton, with open-source code and third-party audits building real transparency. Free-tier storage at 500MB fills quickly, pushing teams to paid plans.
If you need per-message control, Egress Protect lets you revoke access, restrict downloads, and block forwarding on individual messages while misaddressed email warnings prevent accidental data exposure. Desktop client feels clunky compared to the web experience.
When you require flexible encryption methods, Echoworx offers eight encryption methods matched to each message context with policy automation reducing reliance on user judgment. Outlook send popups fire on every message, creating friction for high-volume senders.
Email encryption feels like it should be simple. Encrypt the message, recipient decrypts it, done. The reality is messier. Different organizations have different compliance requirements, different threat models, and different tolerance for friction. A solution that works for a healthcare practice won’t work for an SMB managing customer data. Getting it wrong means either compliance violations or adoption that never happens because friction kills it.
The market offers multiple approaches. Native platform encryption like Purview or Gmail native tools give you simplicity at the cost of flexibility. Dedicated platforms like Proton Mail prioritize privacy and jurisdiction. Compliance-automation platforms like Trustifi handle encryption policies without requiring individual user decisions. Per-message control tools like Egress give you granular enforcement at the cost of admin overhead.
We evaluated multiple email encryption platforms across cloud environments and on-premises hybrid setups, evaluating deployment complexity, user adoption friction, compliance readiness, and operational management overhead. We reviewed customer feedback from healthcare and finance, plus technology teams managing varying regulatory requirements. What we found: encryption platform selection is less about the encryption algorithm and more about whether the user experience supports adoption and whether the admin controls match your compliance posture.
This guide maps encryption solutions to specific use cases so you can match the right platform to your organization’s threat model and compliance requirements.
Our Recommendations
The right platform depends on whether you prioritize end-to-end encryption, per-message controls, or smooth M365 integration.
- Best For Centralized Management: Proton Mail End-to-end and zero-access encryption keeps emails private from everyone, including Proton.
- Best For Cost Efficiency: Egress Protect offers Per-message controls let you revoke access, restrict downloads, and block forwarding individually.
- Best For Performance: Echoworx Email Encryption offers Eight encryption methods let you match security controls to each message and recipient type.
- Best For Advanced Features: Microsoft Purview Message Encryption Built into M365 with no additional licensing needed for core encryption features.
- Best For Enterprise Scale: Mimecast Secure Messaging offers Encryption, DLP, and virus scanning run in a single pipeline from Outlook.
Proton Mail is an encrypted email platform built for organizations that handle sensitive data and need to prove it. Swiss-hosted and fully open source, it gives security teams end-to-end encryption without forcing users off their preferred email client.
Zero-Access Encryption That Actually Stays Zero-Access
We found the encryption model refreshingly straightforward. Proton encrypts everything end-to-end between Proton users, and zero-access encryption means even Proton staff cannot read stored emails. That applies to messages from external senders too, once they hit Proton servers.
Password-protected emails with expiration dates work for external recipients as well. The platform also blocks email trackers, flags phishing attempts using both human and automated analysis, and lets users create email aliases to limit third-party exposure. Proton Bridge connects to Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail, so your team keeps the client they already know.
What Teams Are Saying After Rollout
Customers say setup is nearly frictionless. The Easy Switch migration tool handles contact and message imports from Gmail and other providers, and most users describe the day-to-day experience as clean and intuitive.
Users have flagged a few friction points. Free-tier storage fills fast at 500MB, and email search requires downloading messages first. Some also feel the UI could use a refresh. None are dealbreakers, but worth knowing before you commit.
Privacy-First Email for Regulated Teams
We think Proton Mail is a strong pick if your organization operates under strict data protection or privacy regulations. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source code, and third-party audits give you a defensible answer when auditors come asking.
Strengths
- End-to-end and zero-access encryption keeps emails private from everyone, including Proton.
- Open-source codebase with third-party audits builds real transparency and trust.
- Proton Bridge lets your team keep using Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail.
- Password-protected expiring emails extend encryption to external recipients easily.
- Easy Switch migration tool simplifies moving from Gmail with contacts and folders intact.
Cautions
- According to some customer reviews, free-tier storage at 500MB fills quickly, pushing most teams to paid plans.
- Some customer reviews note that email search requires downloading messages, which slows lookup for large mailboxes.
Egress Protect
Egress Protect is a message-level email encryption platform built for Microsoft 365 environments. Now part of KnowBe4 following its 2024 acquisition, it targets organizations that need AES-256 encryption with granular delivery controls and HIPAA or GDPR compliance.
Granular Message Controls That Go Beyond Encrypt and Send
We found the real value here sits in the per-message controls. You can set read-only access, revoke messages after delivery, restrict attachment downloads, and block forwarding. Misaddressed email warnings add a useful safety net against accidental data exposure.
Large encrypted file transfers and document watermarking round out the data protection side. Recipients authenticate via Egress credentials, biometrics, or existing Microsoft and Google IDs, which keeps the recipient experience simple. The M365 API integration means deployment slots into your existing mail flow without rearchitecting anything.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the security and customization options are the strongest selling points. Several highlight close collaboration with the Egress team on custom integrations, and the combination of Defend and Prevent alongside Protect gives teams layered email security from one vendor.
Users have flagged the desktop client as clunky and not particularly intuitive.
A Compliance Play for M365 Shops
We think Egress Protect fits best if your organization already runs M365 and needs provable encryption for regulated communications. The per-message controls give you fine-grained policy enforcement that basic transport-layer encryption cannot match.
Strengths
- Per-message controls let you revoke access, restrict downloads, and block forwarding individually.
- Misaddressed email warnings help prevent accidental data exposure before messages send.
- AES-256 encryption with HIPAA and GDPR compliance support built into the workflow.
- M365 API integration deploys without disrupting your existing mail infrastructure.
- Recipient authentication via Microsoft, Google, or biometrics keeps access simple.
Cautions
- Based on customer reviews, the desktop client feels clunky and unintuitive compared to the web experience.
- Some users have noted that recurring cache corruption issues have proven difficult for support to resolve long term.
Echoworx Email Encryption
Echoworx is a cloud-based email encryption platform that gives M365 teams multiple ways to secure outbound messages. Built for mid-market to enterprise organizations, it offers eight encryption methods and nine authentication options, so you can match security to context.
Eight Encryption Methods, One Policy Engine
We found the flexibility here is the real differentiator. Echoworx supports everything from end-to-end encryption to Secure PDF delivery, and admins set policies that automatically determine which method applies. End users encrypt directly from their email client with a single click.
Authentication options include SSO, two-factor, and social login, which lowers the barrier for recipients outside your organization. The platform also provides detailed access and audit reporting across 28 languages, a practical advantage for global teams managing compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the platform is easy to pick up. Multiple users report getting comfortable with the full dashboard in just a few hours, and the cloud-based design means access from any device without local installs.
Users have flagged one consistent annoyance: a confirmation popup fires every time you hit send in Outlook.
Flexible Encryption for Multi-Region Compliance
We think Echoworx is a strong fit if your organization needs encryption flexibility across different recipient types and regulatory environments. The policy engine keeps encryption decisions out of individual users’ hands, which reduces human error.
Strengths
- Eight encryption methods let you match security controls to each message and recipient type.
- Policy engine automates encryption decisions, reducing reliance on individual user judgment.
- Nine authentication options including SSO and social login simplify the recipient experience.
- Audit reporting across 28 languages supports compliance for globally distributed organizations.
- Cloud-based platform requires no local installs and works across devices.
Cautions
- According to customer feedback, outlook send popup fires on every message, creating friction for high-volume senders.
- Some users have noted that documentation lacks depth for initial setup and onboarding workflows.
Microsoft Purview Message Encryption
Microsoft Purview Message Encryption is the native email encryption layer built into Microsoft 365. It lets organizations encrypt outbound messages without adding third-party tools, using Azure Rights Management for identity protection and access control across Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, and other services.
Encryption That Lives Inside Your Existing Mail Flow
We found the biggest advantage is zero friction for M365 shops. Encryption applies through Outlook directly, via transport rules, or through templates like Do Not Forward and Encrypt-Only. Admins can auto-encrypt based on keywords, recipient domains, or sensitive data types.
External recipients open secure messages through a web portal using their existing Microsoft, Google, or Yahoo credentials. Attachments get the same protection as the message body, and forwarding restrictions give you control over how content travels after delivery. No extra licensing for the core encryption features if you already run M365.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the integration across SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange is the standout strength. For teams already in the Microsoft ecosystem, everything connects without additional configuration overhead.
Users have flagged that initial setup and label configuration take real planning.
The Default Choice for All-Microsoft Environments
We think Purview Message Encryption is the obvious starting point if your organization already pays for M365. You get baseline encryption without new vendor relationships, procurement cycles, or user training on unfamiliar tools.
Strengths
- Built into M365 with no additional licensing needed for core encryption features.
- Transport rules auto-encrypt messages based on keywords, recipients, or sensitive data types.
- External recipients authenticate with existing Google, Yahoo, or Microsoft credentials.
- Works natively across Outlook desktop, web, Mac, iOS, and Android without plugins.
Cautions
- Auto-labeling and advanced classification require additional licensing beyond base M365 plans.
- According to customer feedback, initial label setup and policy configuration demand significant upfront planning.
Mimecast Secure Messaging
Mimecast Secure Messaging is the encryption layer within Mimecast’s broader cloud email security platform. Built for M365 environments, it wraps encrypted sending, DLP enforcement, and virus scanning into one service alongside Mimecast’s gateway and phishing, plus impersonation protection.
Encryption Bundled With a Full Security Stack
We found the value proposition here is consolidation. Encrypted messages send directly from Outlook, get scanned for malware, and pass through DLP policy checks before delivery. Recipients access messages through a secure web portal without needing their own Mimecast account.
Senders can track read receipts, revoke access after delivery, and restrict forwarding or printing. Admins get policy management and reporting without visibility into message content. If you already run Mimecast for gateway security, adding encrypted messaging keeps everything under one console.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the Targeted Threat Protection suite is the real standout, catching impersonation and BEC attempts that basic filters miss. URL rewriting and attachment sandboxing work well out of the box with minimal tuning.
Users have flagged the admin interface as clunky and slow at times, with settings buried in nested menus.
Best When You Want One Vendor for Email Security
We think Mimecast Secure Messaging makes the most sense if you already use or plan to adopt Mimecast’s broader platform. Buying encryption separately from a standalone provider may be a better fit if you only need message-level protection.
Strengths
- Encryption, DLP, and virus scanning run in a single pipeline from Outlook.
- Read tracking and post-delivery revocation give senders ongoing control over messages.
- Targeted Threat Protection catches BEC and impersonation attempts that basic filters miss.
- Admins manage policies and reporting without ever seeing message content.
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that admin interface feels slow with deeply nested settings that frustrate new administrators.
- Some users report that URL rewriting can be overly aggressive, occasionally blocking legitimate links.
Paubox Email Suite
Paubox Email Suite is a HIPAA-compliant email encryption platform built specifically for healthcare organizations. It integrates with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, encrypting outbound emails automatically with no portals, passwords, or extra steps for recipients.
Encryption That Disappears for the End User
We found the zero-friction approach is what sets Paubox apart. Emails encrypt automatically in the background. Recipients read them in their normal inbox without creating accounts or remembering passwords. For healthcare teams, that eliminates the IT support burden of walking patients through portal logins.
Beyond encryption, the platform includes inbound threat filtering with tools like ExecProtect and DomainAge to block phishing, spoofing, and malware. A unified admin panel handles security settings, alongside quarantine management and customizable DLP rules. Paubox is also HITRUST certified, which strengthens your compliance posture beyond baseline HIPAA.
Healthcare Teams Love the Simplicity
Customers say setup is fast and well-documented, with support teams that follow up proactively after deployment. Multiple users highlight that Paubox eliminated the constant back-and-forth of helping clients access encrypted messages through clunky portals.
Users have flagged pricing as a consideration, particularly for smaller practices where upfront costs feel steep. Beyond that, complaints are rare. This is one of the few products where customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive with very few recurring pain points.
Purpose-Built for Healthcare Compliance
We think Paubox is the right fit if your organization handles PHI and needs HIPAA-compliant email without adding complexity for staff or patients. The invisible encryption model solves a real workflow problem that portal-based alternatives create.
Strengths
- Automatic encryption requires no action from senders or recipients, removing portal friction entirely.
- HITRUST certification adds compliance weight beyond standard HIPAA requirements.
- ExecProtect and DomainAge filters block phishing and spoofing alongside encryption.
- Integrates with both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace out of the box.
- Customer support is consistently praised for responsiveness and proactive follow-up.
Cautions
- Some users report that pricing may feel steep for solo practitioners and very small healthcare practices.
- Some customer reviews note that the platform lacks advanced per-message controls like revocation or forwarding restrictions.
TitanHQ Email Security
TitanHQ Email Security is a cloud-based secure email gateway out of Galway, Ireland, combining spam filtering, malware protection, and AES 256-bit encryption for M365 environments. It targets small to mid-sized teams and MSPs that need compliant email security without enterprise pricing.
Budget-Friendly Gateway With Encryption Built In
We found the strength here is how much you get for the price. The platform bundles inbound threat filtering, policy-based keyword encryption, and an Outlook plugin for client-side encryption into one service. DLP triggers automatically on sensitive content, and email recall, read receipts, and audit tracking are included.
Sandbox protection against zero-day malware comes standard, which is notable since competitors like Barracuda and Mimecast charge extra for that capability. We saw the M365 integration is straightforward, and the platform scales easily as your organization grows.
Quick Setup, But Expect a Tuning Period
Customers say the interface is user-friendly and daily quarantine reports make spam management simple. Setup is fast, and several users praise the support team for hands-on, step-by-step guidance during onboarding.
Users have flagged that out-of-the-box filtering needs training time. The Bayesian filter requires users to tag spam before it learns, which means higher false positives early on. Support operates on European business hours with inconsistent response times. Some also want threat intelligence integration for faster investigation.
Strong Value for Smaller Teams and MSPs
We think TitanHQ is a smart choice if your team needs gateway security and encryption on a budget. The included sandboxing alone sets it apart from similarly priced alternatives.
Strengths
- Sandbox protection against zero-day malware included at no extra cost.
- Policy-based encryption and automatic DLP handle sensitive content without user intervention.
- Competitive pricing makes enterprise-grade gateway features accessible for smaller teams.
- M365 integration is simple and scales easily as headcount grows.
Cautions
- Some customer reviews flag that bayesian filter needs user training data, creating higher false positives during initial rollout.
- Support limited to European business hours with inconsistent response times reported.
Trustifi Outbound Shield
Trustifi Outbound Shield is a cloud-based email encryption platform offering AES-256 end-to-end encryption with built-in compliance automation. It targets MSPs, resellers, and their end-clients who need one-click encryption across M365 and Google Workspace without complex configuration.
One-Click Encryption With Compliance Baked In
We found the compliance automation is the standout feature. Trustifi auto-applies encryption against over ten regulatory frameworks, and DLP rules trigger on sensitive content like credit card numbers and PHI. Recipients authenticate with two-factor, keeping access controlled without portal accounts.
Senders can track delivery, revoke access, and even edit sent emails from their standard mail client. The multi-tenant MSP dashboard lets providers manage all client environments from one console. AI-driven inbound filtering handles phishing, alongside spam and account takeover protection alongside the outbound encryption.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say integration with M365 and Google Workspace is fast and straightforward. Multiple users highlight the support team as responsive and hands-on, with competitive pricing compared to larger platforms.
Users have flagged that daily quarantine digest emails can feel excessive, with some end users treating them as spam themselves.
Built for MSPs Who Need Encryption at Scale
We think Trustifi is a strong pick if you run an MSP or manage email security across multiple client environments. The multi-tenant dashboard and built-in compliance automation save real operational time at scale.
Strengths
- One-click encryption auto-applies compliance across ten-plus regulatory frameworks.
- Multi-tenant MSP dashboard manages all client environments from a single console.
- AI-driven inbound filtering adds phishing and account takeover protection alongside encryption.
- Competitive pricing undercuts larger platforms without sacrificing core functionality.
- Post-send controls let senders revoke access, track delivery, and edit sent messages.
Cautions
- According to customer feedback, daily quarantine digests feel excessive to end users and risk being ignored as noise.
- Based on customer reviews, the threat simulation module lacks depth for organizations running advanced phishing exercises.
Virtru Email Encryption
Virtru Email Encryption is a cloud-based platform that adds one-click encryption to Gmail and Outlook through browser plugins. Based in Washington, D.C., it supports CMMC, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance for organizations across M365 and Google Workspace.
Toggle-Based Encryption That Users Actually Adopt
We found the simplicity is what makes Virtru work. Users toggle encryption on or off directly inside their email client. The plugin also nudges users with push notifications when content looks like it should be encrypted, which reduces the risk of accidental unprotected sends.
Beyond the toggle, senders can revoke access, disable forwarding, and set expiration dates on sent messages. Audit trails and SIEM integrations give security teams visibility into who accessed what and when. The Gmail integration is particularly smooth, with setup taking minutes.
Easy for Internal Teams, Rougher for External Recipients
Customers say setup is fast and the day-to-day experience is intuitive. Multiple users highlight how reliable the encryption is for securing attachments, particularly in healthcare where large files need to move without triggering firewall blocks.
Simple Encryption for Compliance-Driven Teams
We think Virtru is a strong fit if your team needs encryption that people will actually use without constant reminders. The plugin approach keeps encryption visible and accessible inside the tools your team already works in.
If you frequently exchange encrypted messages with external partners, test the recipient experience first. But for internal compliance and outbound protection across Gmail or Outlook, Virtru makes encryption low-effort enough that adoption stops being a problem.
Strengths
- One-click toggle encryption inside Gmail and Outlook drives high user adoption rates.
- Smart notifications prompt users when content likely needs encryption before sending.
- Post-send controls include revocation, forwarding restrictions, and message expiration.
- Supports CMMC, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance with detailed audit trails.
- Gmail plugin setup takes minutes with minimal technical overhead.
Cautions
- Some users have noted that external recipients can find the decryption process confusing during cross-org collaboration.
- Some users report that mobile app has had intermittent accessibility issues affecting remote workers.
Other Email Security Services
Facilitates secure communication to drive down compromise attacks and data loss.
Easy-to-use email encryption with integration into Barracuda email security.
Cloud-based encryption with easy user experience and compliance support.
Easy-to-use email encryption with compliance and legal proof of delivery.
Email encryption with data loss prevention and secure message tracking.
What To Look For: Email Encryption Checklist
Email encryption evaluation depends on your infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and adoption tolerance. Here are the critical questions to ask:
- Encryption Architecture and Standards: Does the platform use industry-standard AES-256 or equivalent? Are encryption keys managed by the vendor or by you? For regulatory environments, do you need zero-access encryption where even the vendor cannot read messages? Does the platform support end-to-end encryption between users on the platform?
- Recipient Experience and Adoption Friction: Can external recipients decrypt messages without creating accounts or remembering passwords? Does the platform require portal logins or can it use existing credentials? Will the authentication friction reduce user adoption? For healthcare and finance, how much back-and-forth support burden does recipient authentication create?
- Per-Message Controls and Compliance Granularity: Can you revoke message access after delivery? Can you restrict forwarding, printing, or copying? Does the platform support read-only access or time-limited access windows? For regulatory compliance, does auto-encryption apply policies based on keywords, recipients, or content types without user intervention?
- Integration With Your Email Platform: Does the solution integrate natively with M365, Google Workspace, or both? Does it require mail flow changes, API connections, or plugin deployments? For hybrid environments, does it support both on-premises and cloud email? Can you deploy it without disrupting existing Exchange or Gmail infrastructure?
- Compliance and Audit Readiness: Does the platform generate audit trails for encrypted communications? Can it prove encryption status for compliance audits? For HIPAA, does it support HITRUST certification or provide audit-ready reporting? For GDPR, does it support data residency requirements or allow key management in your jurisdiction?
- Admin Policy Management and Complexity: Can admins set policies without understanding encryption details? Does the platform support role-based access control separating analysts from administrators? For multi-tenant environments, does it support per-client policy customization? How steep is the learning curve for policy configuration?
- Cost and Scaling Model: Does pricing scale per user, per message, or as a fixed platform cost? For MSPs, does multi-tenant deployment reduce licensing complexity? Are features like DLP, read receipts, or revocation included or behind premium tiers? For teams managing thousands of users, how does pricing curve affect total cost of ownership?
Weight these criteria against your regulatory environment. Healthcare teams should prioritize zero-friction recipient experience and HIPAA compliance. Finance and legal teams need granular per-message controls and audit trails. MSPs should focus on multi-tenant management and compliance automation. Teams managing mixed platforms benefit from native integrations across M365 and Google Workspace.
How We Compared The Best Email Encryption Platforms
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team dedicated to researching, testing, and evaluating cybersecurity and IT solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Our assessments are based entirely on product performance and real-world operational fit. We began by mapping the complete email encryption vendor market, from established leaders to notable challengers, to ensure full coverage.
We evaluated 9 email encryption platforms across M365 and Google Workspace environments, assessing encryption standards, user adoption friction, per-message control capabilities, compliance readiness, and admin complexity. Each solution was deployed in controlled test environments simulating real-world use cases: healthcare teams managing PHI, MSPs handling multiple client environments, and enterprises balancing security with user experience.
Beyond hands-on testing, we conducted thorough market research and reviewed customer feedback from healthcare organizations, legal practices, and finance teams operating under varying regulatory requirements. We interviewed product teams to understand architecture decisions and compliance certifications. Our editorial and commercial teams maintain complete independence. No vendor can influence our testing methodology or conclusions.
This guide is updated quarterly to reflect new vendor offerings and shifting customer needs. For full details on our research and evaluation methodology, visit our How We Test & Review Products.
The Bottom Line
Email encryption platform selection comes down to matching encryption approach to your infrastructure, compliance requirements, and how much friction your users will tolerate.
If privacy and jurisdictional control matter more than platform consolidation, Proton Mail delivers zero-access encryption backed by Swiss hosting and open-source code. Budget for migration and potential integration work if your team already runs M365 or Google Workspace.
If you run M365 and want to avoid adding vendors, Microsoft Purview Message Encryption integrates natively without new licensing or configuration. You sacrifice granular per-message controls but gain simplicity and integration depth.
If you need fine-grained per-message control, revocation, forwarding restrictions, read-only access, for regulated communications, Egress Protect delivers the policy enforcement that basic transport encryption cannot match.
If you manage multiple client environments or compliance frameworks, Trustifi Outbound Shield handles compliance automation across regulatory scenarios and simplifies multi-tenant management for MSPs.
If you prioritize user adoption and handle patient communications in healthcare, Paubox Email Suite removes recipient friction entirely with automatic encryption that doesn’t require portals or account creation.
If your team needs encryption flexibility across different recipient types and regulatory contexts, Echoworx Email Encryption supports eight encryption methods with policy automation so compliance decisions stay consistent.
Read the detailed reviews above to understand deployment specifics, adoption models, and the operational trade-offs that matter for your environment.
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About Email Encryption (FAQs)
Email encryption software solutions enable users to encrypt their email traffic, ensuring that email content, meta-data and attachments are only available to the intended recipients. There are many use cases for encrypting email content – particularly when sending sensitive data, such as personal information, financial records, or health-related documents.
Enterprise email encryption solutions are often offered as cloud-based services with a SaaS model. There is often no deployment necessary, and admins are able to configure policies governing which messages are automatically encrypted, based on message content. End users should also be able to read and respond to encrypted email messages, whether they have the email encryption software deployed, or are an external recipient receiving an encrypted message.
With email being the predominant means of business communication, your email is a tempting target for a hostile actor. There are multiple protocols that have been used to encrypt emails, each with their own history and strengths and weaknesses. The most used types of encryption are TLS, AES, PGP, and S/MIME.
- TLS – TLS stands for Transport Layer Security and has evolved from SSL (Secure Socket Layer). This type of encryption is in use whenever you see the padlock icon in search bar of web browsers where a secure connection is established. It can be used to send emails, as well as other file types. TLS will ensure your data is safe whilst in transit, it cannot, however, protect emails that are in your inbox.
- AES – Advanced Encryption Standard is a robust and effective method of sending data securely. It uses a symmetric key cipher which makes it incredibly fast, but no less secure. The encryption acts like a trap door – it is easy to go in one direction (encryption) but much harder to go backwards (decrypt) unless you have the right key. To hack AES-256, an attacker would need to work out a number that is 78 digits long to decrypt your data. While 256 is the highest encryption level on use, it can also be used in 128- or 192-bit formats. This type of encryption is used by governmental organizations.
- PGP – PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy (no, really), and uses symmetric-key cryptography to protect your email, texts, and files. It has been the de facto email encryption method since its invention in 1991. The public key is used to encrypt the data, while a separate key is used to decrypt the data. As you are not using the same key for both processes, there is less opportunity for an attacker to steal the key.
- S/MIME – This builds on Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) by employing asymmetric encryption methods. This means that there are a pair of keys – one is public and the other is private. Not only does S/MIME protect your email whilst in transit, but it ensures the email is not modified and protects against email spoofing. S/MIME also uses digital certificates to verify sender identity. This type of encryption will need to be implemented on the user endpoint.
Key features to look for in an email encryption solution include:
- Cloud-Based End-To-End Encryption: Cloud-based end-t0-end encryption is the one most secure, seamless method of encrypting email messages.
- Policy-Based Data Loss Prevention: Policies and controls helps admins to ensure that sensitive information cannot be sent over email without being securely encrypted.
- Legal Compliance: The best email encryption solutions will be fully compliant with industry and data regulations.
- Range Of Delivery Methods Available: Encryption solutions should support users by offering a range of delivery methods.
- End User Controls: End users should be able to encrypt email messages and attachments easily, and many solutions enable end users to recall, unsend and edit previously sent messages. Recipients should be able to easily respond to encrypted email messages.
- Easy-To-Use Admin Console With Reporting: Admins should be able to easily set policies and controls for email messages, and view encryption metrics.
- Branding Options: Encrypted emails can be branded with your company logo and messaging to ensure consistency in communication to clients and customers.
- Accuracy and deliverability: Encrypted messages and replies to encrypted content should be delivered quickly to recipients.
Using an email encryption platform offers several benefits:
- Data protection: It ensures that sensitive information remains confidential and protected from unauthorized access.
- Compliance: It helps organizations comply with industry regulations and data privacy laws.
- Enhanced security: It adds an extra layer of security to email communications, reducing the risk of data breaches.
- Trust and reputation: It helps maintain trust with customers and partners by demonstrating a commitment to secure communication.
There are several types of email encryption, including:
- S/MIME: A widely used standard that encrypts emails at the sender’s end and decrypts them at the recipient’s end.
- PGP: Another popular encryption standard that provides strong encryption and authentication.
- Transport Layer Security (TLS): A protocol that encrypts email communication between email servers.
- Proprietary encryption: Some email providers offer their own encryption methods.
Email encryption platforms handle key management in different ways, including:
- Centralized key management: The platform manages encryption keys for all users.
- Decentralized key management: Users manage their own encryption keys.
- Key exchange protocols: Secure protocols are used to exchange encryption keys between senders and recipients.
- Encryption at rest: This refers to encrypting data when it is stored on a device or server.
- Encryption in transit: This refers to encrypting data while it is being transmitted over a network, such as when sending an email.
Written By
Joel is the Director of Content and a co-founder at Expert Insights; a rapidly growing media company focussed on covering cybersecurity solutions.
He’s an experienced journalist and editor with 8 years’ experience covering the cybersecurity space. He’s reviewed hundreds of cybersecurity solutions, interviewed hundreds of industry experts and produced dozens of industry reports read by thousands of CISOs and security professionals in topics like IAM, MFA, zero trust, email security, DevSecOps and more.
He also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted. Joel is driven to share his team’s expertise with cybersecurity leaders to help them create more secure business foundations.
Technical Review
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013.
Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions.
Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.