Let’s be real – who even thinks about email security anymore, right? Email service providers have got a lot better at doing their jobs. Plus, you already have a gazillion things on your plate; imagine being asked to worry about some fictitious problem that’s never going to hurt you anyway.

Now, we’re not saying that you’re wrong, but you are what cyber analysts call “a high-potential victim of cyber-attacks”. In fact, Deloitte found that 91% of all cyber-attacks begin with a phishing email – to an unsuspecting victim.

The consequences of compromised security email are devastating. Per Forbes, 60% of small businesses that become the unfortunate victims of cyber-attacks, are forced to shut down – within just 6 months.

One rogue email can send your entire organisation in a downward spiral? Sounds dramatic.

Need to see it to believe it? Below, you’ll find out why email security is important, and answers to questions like what is email security and how to secure your email.

Why Email Security Is Important

  • Protect Against Spoofing Attacks

You get an email from someone you recognise. They’ve shared a video of a golden retriever riding a bicycle. You open the link. And BAM! You’re the newest victim of spoofing.

Spoofing uses the impersonation tactic to commit cybercrime. It is more dangerous because it involves communication from someone the receiver is familiar with – and is like lier to trust.

Even the most secure email providers have fallen prey to such attacks. This is due to the fact that the providers can’t tell the difference between a fake and a real email because they merely read the metadata – the same data the attacker has toyed with.

It’s times like these that even your email security needs a bit of security. Implementing Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Domain Name Protection mechanisms will successfully deter malicious actors from trying to spoof your domain.

  • Prevents Data Breache

In the first 6 months of 2019, 3000 data breaches exposed more than 4.1 billion personal and financial records. Email security breaches are basically when hackers access or steal confidential/protected data and information.

A few steps of security email are enough to hamper the hackers and protect sensitive data from their malicious intent.

  • Real Time Protection

Security email’s real-time protection looks like a high-security facility under constant surveillance. Email security doesn’t just observe; it actively patrols – quickly identifying and neutralising threats in real time.

Best Practices to Secure Your Email

  • Use Strong Password

Do you know when you set a new password and your system prompts you with “Use Strong Password”? Instead of protecting your life’s savings with your cat’s name, we suggest going with your system’s recommendation and using that strong password.

A string of random letters, numbers, and special characters is way less likely to be guessed and subsequently hacked.

  • Enable Two Factor Authentication

One’s stronger than two – that applies to drinks and cyber security alike.

Turn two-factor authentication on. Even the most secure email could use extra help.

If a hacker somehow manages to penetrate one layer of security, they will be faced with another – reducing your chances of falling prey to random attacks.

  • Implement Phishing Email Filtering

When you use a phishing filter to secure your email, you’re basically setting up a screening filter.

Has an email sender been flagged multiple times for sending malware? Setting up a phishing email filter will immediately set your email security alarm bells ringing. In this case, the suspicious email is automatically moved to a different folder and comes with a warning, asking you to double-check if you trust the links and attached documents.

  • Perform Frequent Security Monitoring 

Security email monitoring is an automated process that ensures email communications have not been tampered with by malicious parties. With cybercrimes constantly evolving, new methods of attacks are constantly being developed. Regular monitoring keeps you one step ahead of the attackers, giving you complete protection against even the newest cyberattack techniques.

In case of malicious infiltration, you can opt for the Domain Renew option to play it safe.

Email Security Policies

Policies of Email Security Meaning: Most of us don’t spend our workdays reading emails that we don’t have to – especially not the ones outlining policies. We all think we know the email security definition. We think we’re smart enough to know the right way to interact with emails. We all think we’re above email security policies. But as we’ve seen by now, anyone can become a victim of cybercrime. So, it’s always better to be familiar with the policies.

When it comes to organisations, a lot is at stake – with sensitive data whose hacking could cause the company to shut down. In such a situation, employees are requested to abide by simple norms, called email security policies.

From compliance and appropriate usage to encryption and incident reporting, these policies touch upon the dos and don’ts of safe emailing.

Final Words

While it may be tempting to dismiss email security concerns as a thing of the past, the reality is that cyber threats are evolving – and email remains a prime target of malicious elements.

The importance of secure email becomes even more evident when you think about all the different threats it helps to keep at bay. The algorithms, protocols, and practices work together to create a solid shield against both, random and targeted attacks.

Email Security FAQ

How is email secured?

Email is secured using public-key cryptography encryption.

What is email security encryption? It is a process that scrambles email content into an unreadable format. This scrambling is deceivingly random – it uses a secret key in combination with an encryption algorithm. To decrypt the content, a secret digital key is used at the receiver’s end.

To secure email, providers like Google and Microsoft use Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption as they move from sender to recipient. TLS prevents third parties from eavesdropping and tampering with email content while in transit.

Other types of email encryption include Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to name a few.

What are the two main types of email?

The two types of emails are webmail and email client. With webmail, you send and receive emails via a web browser and a web-based interface. If you are connected to the Internet, you can access your email from any browser or device. Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, and so on are examples of webmail.

Microsoft Outlook, Windows Live Mail, and Apple Mail are examples of an email client. An email client is software installed on your computer. To access emails, you first need to download this software to your computer, after which you can read and send emails.

What is the security type of email?

There are different types of email security including encryption, two-factor authentication, digital signatures, and firewalls, to name a few.

What are the disadvantages of email security?

Strict email security measures and protocols can at times inconvenience users.

The same lock that keeps thieves out makes you search for your keys every time you want to enter your own home. Similarly, two-factor authentication can cause frustration or work delays when trying to log into your email account.

If you have any queries or suggestions feel free to send an email on [email protected]