Email has become the preferred method to communicate information quickly efficiently and cost-effectively. It’s an instant solution to traffic delays, post office delays, interruptions to fax machines and busy phone lines. But when it comes down to exchanging confidential documents convenience of email conceals the dangers inherent to email. Once your sensitive information is removed from your server, you are not in control of the destination or whether anyone has access to it. Even if encryption is enabled on your emails, which adds an extra layer to security, this may not be enough to shield you from the kind of man-in-the-middle attacks.
Cybercriminals can steal confidential information in customer documents to commit identity theft and other crimes. Email servers https://empirevdr.com/dangers-of-using-email-for-exchanging-confidential-documents/ are also susceptible to cyberattacks that could cause the loss or theft of files.
The good news is that with the right practices and a supportive NDA it is possible to exchange confidential documents through email. Security in email can be improved by limiting the amount of identifiable information in the message. Using password-protected files and including a confidentiality statement to your signature automatically are also simple steps.
Email providers like Gmail or Outlook provide S/MIME encryption to provide a greater level of protection. This allows users to digitally sign attachments and emails. This guarantees the integrity of the document, and also protects it from “man-in-the middle” attacks. This solution also requires a verified certificate to be installed on the receiver’s computer, which can add an additional layer of security.