Email encryption is an essential protection for modern businesses. The software market has adapted to this need, so leaders have a broad range of potential solutions available to fill the gap. But what are the best email encryption options for enterprises?
What Are the Best Email Encryption Options for Enterprises?
Once it’s clear what differentiates a top-tier messaging encryption solution from the crowd, you can make an informed decision. With that in mind, here are the 10 best email encryption options for enterprises to kick-start your search.
1. DataMotion
The best overall email encryption service for most organizations is DataMotion, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered secure data exchange. DataMotion works with several leading email platforms using FIPS-validated AES encryption standards.
In addition to securing emails, DataMotion offers secure direct messaging capabilities, which are ideal for health care and government operations. The company also employs a zero-trust model, ensuring access to sensitive data remains as tight as possible. Such protection is all the more valuable in light of its support for third-party integrations for productivity tools and other apps.
Customers have seen 28% reductions in support and 48% efficiency gains, highlighting the platform’s ease of use and streamlined nature. A built-in generative AI model can further aid security and productivity efforts by providing quick, informative answers to user questions.
2. Proton Mail
Another reliable all-around solution is Proton Mail, which comes from the same developers as Proton VPN. Proton enables end-to-end encryption, secure cloud storage, self-deleting messages and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to maximize data protection for companies of any size.
Many enterprises like Proton for its Swiss roots, as Switzerland has some of the world’s strictest data privacy laws. It’s also open-source, enabling thorough auditing, and offers anti-phishing measures. Phishing remains the most common data breach vector, so such defenses are hard to overlook.
Proton Mail also has a free version, making it one of the more accessible options. Unfortunately, its integrations are limited, and users cannot use their current email accounts.
3. RMail
RMail is another one of the best email encryption options for enterprises today. The standout feature of this service is that it includes automatic proof of delivery receipts, which are helpful when complying with laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The platform also includes electronic signatures to strengthen secure document exchanges. It’s highly configurable, too, letting you set rules for which types of messages to encrypt, adjust compliance automations and choose between multiple cryptography standards.
Despite such high-level protective measures, RMail works with many existing email platforms. However, its user interface is relatively complex, and its pricing can be difficult to figure out, so it may not be the best for smaller or less technically experienced companies.
4. Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Another far-reaching secure messaging solution is Mimecast’s Advanced Email Security. In addition to encryption, it includes anti-phishing measures, AI-powered email threat detection and strong authentication protocols.
Mimecast focuses on stopping business email compromise (BEC), which has led to over $55 billion in losses since 2013. It’s able to do so thanks to a wide array of advanced tools, including QR code analysis, impersonation detection and real-time threat intelligence. Intelligence sharing across the solutions’ 250-plus integrations takes these benefits further.
These advanced features have the downside of requiring additional technical expertise to capitalize on fully. The minimum requirement of 50 users may also make the platform less ideal for smaller operations.
5. Barracuda Email Protection
Organizations wanting a multi-layered approach without as much complexity should consider Barracuda Email Protection. Like Mimecast, Barracuda includes phishing protection, malware detection and threat analytics to complement its email encryption. However, it’s more accessible to smaller or less tech-savvy businesses.
You can also get phishing simulations and zero-trust enforcement from Barracuda, but only with a Premium Plus subscription. Still, AI-powered tools like behavioral analytics and policy enforcement are available on all tiers.
Barracuda is relatively affordable compared to other comprehensive email security services, too. It works best when you can have a dedicated team to manage it, though. Considering that the nation faces a tech talent gap that could grow to 7.1 million unfilled roles by 2034, that may prove challenging.
6. Tuta Mail
Tuta, formerly known as Tutanota, runs another one of the best email encryption solutions for enterprises. Tuta Mail runs on virtually any operating system, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS. It also applies end-to-end encryption to the entire email, not just the main content.
Setting up Tuta Mail is fairly straightforward, and the service has a fee tier without any messaging limits. It’s also open-source, providing another layer of transparency and trust. Paid users get the added advantage of unlimited searching to sort through encrypted databases for specific messages.
Tuta is best for smaller operations or those without much IT experience. However, it doesn’t support existing email addresses, and its search function is computationally demanding.
7. PreVeil
Another easy-to-use option is PreVeil. The platform has end-to-end email and file encryption, can work with existing accounts, supports both Gmail and Microsoft Outlook and, most importantly, offers all of this in its free package.
While 64% of organizations globally plan on increasing their cybersecurity spending this year, saving on email encryption frees room in the budget for other defenses. Consequently, it’s hard to overlook such a capable free option. PreVeil has several paid tiers, too, offering larger amounts of encrypted storage, advanced security options and built-in CMMC compliance.
Some of PreVeil’s most advantageous features, like its compliance automation, are locked behind paywalls. For teams only needing basic protections, though, its free version deserves consideration.
8. NeoCertified
Another of the best email encryption options to integrate into existing systems is NeoCertified’s Encrypted Email API. NeoCertified offers a range of application programming interfaces (APIs) to tie directly into the software you already use, and the Encrypted Email solution is one of its most helpful.
The API is FIPS-140 compliant and complies with other regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the GDPR. On top of encrypting messages, it also offers monitoring and configurable permissions features.
NeoCertified’s business model removes many concerns over interoperability. However, implementing it can follow a steep learning curve, and its pricing is not the most transparent.
9. Virtru
Virtru is a more user-friendly email encryption alternative. It integrates with popular email platforms, even coming in the form of a Chrome extension for Gmail users, so implementing it is fairly easy. Automated detection enables automatic encryption without needing to specify a message as sensitive.
The Chrome extension is free, although it only works on Gmail. Still, Gmail accounts for 30.57% of all email opens, so this covers a large number of users. Keep in mind that the free version only offers basic protections. Enterprise users will likely need one of Virtru’s paid tiers.
While Virtru is fast to set up and easy to use, it lacks some of the advanced security features of its competitors. Higher-level tiers may also get expensive, but it’s a good option for small and medium-sized operations.
10. StartMail
StartMail may be the encryption solution of choice for some niche use cases. It offers easy-to-use password-based encryption, which can even apply to non-users to secure communications with outside recipients. More importantly, it includes aliases.
The standout feature of StartMail is that it uses disposable email addresses. While not every team needs such functionality, it’s useful when you need to register with outside parties to receive certain communications. Using aliases means you can hand out addresses freely without exposing yourself or your workforce to credential stuffing.
Unfortunately, StartMail does not have mobile support, despite 41.6% of email opens coming from mobile devices. It also lacks some advanced defenses, but for those who need disposable addresses, it’s the best platform available.
What to Look for in an Email Encryption Solution
The key to finding the best email encryption service is understanding what sets a reliable solution apart from the rest. One of the most important factors to consider is the cryptography standards in use.
In general, a higher level of encryption is always preferable, but some enterprises require specific types of algorithms. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requires FIPS-validated or NSA-approved standards, so government contractors should only use a service providing such options.
Leading email encryption providers also cover a range of communications, covering instant messaging, not just emails. Similarly, further-reaching security measures are always preferable. End-to-end encryption, cryptography for attachments and both at-rest and in-transit protection make a solution stand out. Any security features outside of encryption are also ideal.
Interoperability and ease of use also deserve consideration. A solution that doesn’t work with your existing IT stack or requires technical expertise your workforce lacks will be of limited value.
Find the Best Email Encryption Solution for Your Needs
What the best email encryption option is ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget and workflow constraints. However, you should be able to find something that works for you between these 10 solutions.
Modern enterprises cannot afford to ignore the need for email encryption and related secure messaging services. Begin your search today with these providers and ensure a safer yet still efficient workflow for your company tomorrow.
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