There are several types of email security. Among these are Digital, physical, and procedural. This article will discuss the three types of email security and how each one can protect your emails. Also, we will talk about End-to-end encryption, Transport layer security (TLS), and multi-factor authentication. You can also learn more through Fortinet.
Digital, physical, and procedural
Email security involves implementing three types of controls: digital, physical, and procedural. The digital aspect protects sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and confidential or proprietary data. The physical element relates to the use of encryption. Both types of security measures use encryption algorithms. These two types of security measures have the same goal: to protect confidential information. In addition, they also help prevent phishing attacks.
End-to-end encryption
One of the biggest challenges for end-to-end encryption for email security is the difficulty of sharing public keys. Most users have trouble agreeing to such standards, and sharing public keys is difficult. In addition, end-to-end encryption prevents middle services from performing certain functions. Although this may seem like the ultimate solution, it has drawbacks. Let’s explore a few of them. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make your email more secure.
The most significant benefit of end-to-end encryption is that it is difficult for hackers to decrypt messages without a unique key. You can also scan encrypted content in a central location. Another drawback to this method is that it’s not suitable for everyone. The encryption process also makes it hard for companies to maintain control over their email security. Ultimately, end-to-end encryption for email security is an essential step in ensuring the security of your email.
Transport layer security (TLS)
Using Transport Layer Security (TLS) is an excellent solution when protecting your email. Initially created by Netscape engineers, TLS has evolved and is maintained as a public standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force. This encryption standard encrypts data at rest and in motion and is widely supported by web browsers. To determine whether your outgoing email is encrypted, you can check the email’s header information. To check whether the email is encrypted, click the small arrow next to the sender’s name and address.
While TLS is not perfect, it is highly recommended. Most leading email providers use TLS to protect their customers’ communications. The protocol uses asymmetric encryption to protect email content in transit and provides a mechanism for authentication between the sender and the recipient. Ask your email provider if you’re unsure whether TLS is the right choice for your organization. They will provide detailed information about their email security policies and how to check for them.
Multi-factor authentication
Email multi-factor authentication makes it difficult for unauthorized users to sign in to your account. This security feature consists of two forms of identification, one of which is your password. The second form of identification may be a code sent to your mobile phone. If the first form of authentication is unsuccessful, the user will be asked to enter another one to access their email account. It works similarly to the multi-factor authentication feature used to protect other online systems such as banking.
In addition to using two-factor authentication, multi-factor authentication for email security uses a unique code for each factor. Once an email user logs in with a verified email address and another element, they will receive a 6-digit code that will complete the authentication flow. Users can also explicitly enroll an email into a multi-factor authentication system using the MFA API. This method is highly effective for protecting email accounts, but its use relies on the provider.
Human vigilance
Human vigilance in email security is vital to combat the increasing threats associated with phishing emails. As hackers use artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, the attention of an organization’s employees needs to be constantly assessed and improved. Human vigilance can help to keep employees’ emails secure, but it can also lead to problems in other aspects of business operations. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve vigilance and prevent phishing emails.
Cybercrime isn’t going away anytime soon. It is likely to increase in frequency and severity. The pandemic of the Internet and the normalization of remote working have significantly increased the number and magnitude of security risks. Human vigilance is essential, but using appropriate software solutions can help combat vigilance fatigue.