From end point to end point

A more suitable encryption option would be to put in place a security technology that requires all messages to be encrypted at the time they are sent from a client - any client. That way there would never be insecure email traffic, as we would have whole journey encryption for each and every email being sent.

A problem with this approach is how to make the email encryption seamless to the user. Asking users to manually encrypt emails each time they are sent is a surefire recipe for wasted investment in security technology.

By using software that integrates into the heart of an email system, as well as an existing directory structure, user intervention is not required and system management is made a lot easier.

Make it so

If you work in an organisation that handles sensitive data then email encryption is a must-have.

The only appropriate way to secure such traffic must be on an end point to end point (client to client) basis. Anything else leaves you subject to a potential security violation. The implementation of a client-to-client solution need not be onerous, and you would expect a top flight vendor to have a product that would interoperate with your current email system and provide the tools and infrastructure to enable quick deployment and management across a desktop estate.

This solution must also have the capability to reflect organisational security policies in the emails being sent, for example picking up keywords, sender details or recipient information, and then applying an appropriate level of encryption based on relevant sensitivities. An email client encryption product that is also extensible enough to take part in an enterprise encryption strategy is a real bonus.

Providing security for email traffic is now crucial for any business, and deploying a flexible encryption solution is essential.

Gateway to gateway email security might be fine for some organisations, but end point to end point whole journey email security is the only dependable way of completely securing corporate smarts on the move.

Copyright © 2007, IT-Analysis.com

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