email marketing tips

Individuals and businesses often use email to send passwords, financial data, and other sensitive information without understanding all the risks. In general, email messages are transmitted in plain text over the internet without any form of encryption. Several states, including California and Massachusetts, have passed their own legislation requiring email encryption. The Federal government’s Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates that healthcare providers utilize encryption technology. Financial services firms also face regulation under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Imagine what would happen to your business if sensitive client information, credit card numbers or even health records contained in an email were intercepted.

Brokerage firms use email encryption for transmitting trade confirmations. Anytime a person places a buy or sell order, it is a requirement for brokerage firms to send a trade confirmation. These are typically sent thru postal mail, however, this process can take days, is an expensive process and contain sensitive information that could get lost or even intercepted. Through email encryption, brokerage firms can securely deliver the confirmations electronically.

The banking community also use email encryption to replace traditional methods of communicating such as postal mail, fax, overnight couriers and unsecured email. Sensitive information such as details on bank operations, customers name and account numbers are now encrypted and delivered securely internally, with customers. Even Facebook and Twitter recently began offering encrypted sessions. Once in your account settings, find the option that says “Always use https”.

For travel or even personal use, you should also think about email encryption when using a free public Wi-Fi connection. Whether using your laptop, tablet or even your Smartphone, sensitive information needs to be protected. If you use a locally installed email program such as Outlook, you can protect your email messages by downloading a free Secure Add-In for Microsoft Outlook that will allow you to send and receive encrypted emails. There are also other email encryption services that allow you to send encrypted emails for free without downloading software or the use of encryption keys and works on any email client or web enabled device

More and more sites are recognizing the importance of email encryption, especially as users continue to voice their privacy concerns. With the existing legislation in several states, presumably more states will follow, and the potential cost of intercepted data, it is important for businesses and individuals to protect confidential information by sending secure emails. Surprisingly, many businesses still do not have this technology in place. All it takes is just one data breach – keep this from happening with email encryption.

About the Author

Than Nguyen is an Internet consultant specializing in Internet Technology and helping businesses implement strategies and tools to increase productivity and profitability. Send secure encrypted emails for free.