Analysis of 1.3M Emails Unveils Hidden Threats Missed by Other Email Security Solutions
Analysis of 1.3M Emails Unveils Hidden Threats Missed by Other Email Security Solutions

5 Steps for Identifying Secure Email Providers for Your Business

No matter your reasons for choosing an email provider, it’s probably safe to assume that you want to rely on their services to provide a high level of security when it comes to your privacy. However, if you are using a mainstream email provider (such as Gmail or Yahoo), it’s a common misconception that your account is actually private. You set up a password, and although you access your email through the internet, it often doesn’t occur to people that the privacy of their inbox is not being respected. While many people who use their emails for everyday life and non-business related matters may not be overly concerned about the insecurity issues related to larger email providers, those who rely on their email for more personal matters, or as a business tool, should definitely seek to increase the security levels of their emails. But deciding to switch your email provider is only the easy part, actually choosing a secure email provider can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t overly tech literate. So, we’re here to help you identify the steps you can take towards picking the correct secure email provider for your business. Identify what’s important to you The first step in picking a secure email provider for your business is to identify the features that are most important to you. Some companies (particularly those handling sensitive financial information) will want to choose a provider who can deliver the absolute highest level of security possible. Other companies may be willing to sacrifice some security measures for features such as how user-friendly or accessible the platform is. Is the provider “client-friendly?” This is a big consideration for those who are sending emails to a large number of different clients. Some secure email providers are not compatible with third-party email. While this is a good security feature, it may also be extremely inconvenient and unrealistic, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to whether or not the provider you choose can be used with third-party email clients. Level of Security While it may be a common misconception to think that a secure email provider will automatically be, well… secure, there are different methods by which the security is actually provided. For example, you may want to research the differences between companies when it comes to, say, types of encryption; are emails encrypted in transit or at rest? Where is the service located? The jurisdiction of an email provider can matter when it comes to security. You may never have thought to research email security based on where the provider is located, but it is worth looking in to. Different privacy laws in different countries can have an effect on how secure a provider’s services are. For example, there are a number of highly recommended secure email providers located in Germany and Switzerland, where privacy laws are stricter than in the United States. Supported features. For many people, switching from a provider they are familiar with is an unwelcome hassle. If you decide to switch to a more secure email service, it would be wise to check how easy it is to, say, import existing emails, or whether or not they provide user-friendly features like calendars and contact lists. If you’re running a business it’s critically important to ensure that the privacy of both your company and, most importantly, your clients are protected. Shopping for a secure email provider can seem like a daunting task. The good news is there’s plenty to pick from, so follow these simple steps, and with a little time and research, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs.

Resources

Crane, Casey. “How to Send Encrypted Email on 3 Major Email Platforms.” Hashed Out by The SSL Store™, 3 June 2019, www.thesslstore.com/blog/how-to-send-encrypted-email-on-3-major-email-platforms/. Kaufman, Lori. “The Best Free Ways to Send Encrypted Email and Secure Messages.”, How-To Geek, 12 July 2017, www.howtogeek.com/135638/the-best-free-ways-to-send-encrypted-email-and-secure-messages/. Taylor, Sven. “12 Best Private and Secure Email Services.” Restore Privacy, 29 Dec. 2019, restoreprivacy.com/private-secure-email/.
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