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Most users won't notice any difference in sending and receiving an email as the technology handles everything. Other security protocols, including transport layer security (TLS), may be added, protecting the email in transit. The intended recipient uses a private key assigned by the software, which allows them to open the encrypted message. The first is by assigning a public key when a user sends a message. This software can encrypt messages in different ways. Organisations can automate the encryption process using the right tools and software, taking these security decisions out of the user's hands.Īny time an employee wants to send an encrypted email, it gets routed through software that ensures compliance and security. It's tricky to encrypt something manually and would be a real barrier to entry for employees if this was the only way. It's clear how important it is to encrypt an email, but, in practice, how does it look? How to send and receive encrypted emails While the TLS protocol is a great first step, there's more to encryption than this – additional security tools can ensure all bases are always covered. Now, that figure is as high as 89% (as of August 2021) for TLS encryption that protects emails in transit.
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In 2013, only 30% of inbound emails were encrypted. Google's Transparency Report shows just how much email encryption has evolved over the last decade.
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