Top Email Encryption Products in 2024

In today’s digital landscape, email remains a vital communication tool—which makes it a prime target for cyber threats. In fact, according to Verizon, as much as 40% of data breaches involve email in some way. This post explores the importance of email encryption, as well as which email encryption solutions are leading the way. 

What is email encryption, and why do you need it?

Email encryption serves several critical functions:

1. Protecting sensitive information: Emails often carry sensitive data, including Personal Identifiable Information (PII), Payment Card Information (PCI), and Protected Health Information (PHI). Encryption ensures that only intended recipients can access this data.
2. Ensuring compliance: Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS require the protection of sensitive data. Encryption helps organizations meet these compliance requirements by safeguarding data during transmission.
3. Preventing data breaches: Even if an email gets intercepted, encryption keeps the content unreadable to unauthorized users. This reduces the risk of data breaches and insider threats.‍
4. Maintaining trust: Email encryption demonstrates a commitment to data security and privacy, thereby maintaining and building both customer and stakeholder trust.

What are the top email encryption products of 2024?

Here’s a look at the leading email encryption products for 2024, each offering unique features to protect sensitive information:

Nightfall AI

Nightfall AI is the comprehensive, AI-native data security platform that enables organizations to discover and protect sensitive data where end-users work in the modern enterprise: across SaaS, email, AI apps, and endpoint devices. Whether you’re looking to prevent secret sprawl, stop data exfiltration, or secure AI usage, Nightfall’s industry-leading detection engine and flexible APIs cover a wide variety of use cases. 

Nightfall offers advanced, user-friendly email encryption capabilities within it’s product suite. Using Nightfall's browser plugin, native integrations, and intuitive email reader, security teams can protect sensitive data in real time without interrupting mission-critical workflows. Nightfall offers seamless email scanning and automatic encryption for emails containing sensitive data, so organizations aren’t exclusively reliant on end-users to encrypt sensitive content.

Powered by advanced AI and machine learning techniques, Nightfall’s PII, PCI, PHI, secret, and IP detectors deliver greater accuracy than legacy Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, which are built on regular expressions (regexes) and heuristics. This increased accuracy means that security teams can respond to high-priority alerts across the SaaS ecosystem and maintain continuous compliance with leading standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and GDPR. Organizations choose Nightfall over alternatives because it’s a comprehensive data security platform that brings together email encryption and DLP into a single pane of glass. Nightfall’s modern interface provides a delightful experience for senders, recipients, and security administrators alike.

Get a demo of Nightfall here.

Virtru

Virtru empowers organizations to share information securely while maintaining control over sensitive data across emails, files, and applications. Customers might choose Virtru over SendSafely for its use of the Trusted Data Format (TDF), which provides robust, military-grade encryption and granular access controls.

Virtru integrates with applications such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Zendesk. Organizations can choose from various deployment options, including self-managed, fully air-gapped environments, or fully managed commercial cloud solutions.

However, some users report that Virtru can be clunky to use and may have integration issues with certain email clients. Recipients might face difficulties opening Virtru-encrypted emails, especially on mobile devices. Moreover, Virtru is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

Microsoft Purview

Microsoft Purview offers specialized email encryption and data protection designed for users within the Microsoft ecosystem. It provides effective security for M365 applications, such as Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive, ensuring that data remains protected within Microsoft’s cloud environment. For organizations committed to Microsoft’s suite of tools, Purview integrates seamlessly, aiding in compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.

However, Microsoft Purview does have limitations. Its functionality is predominantly restricted to M365 services, offering limited support for non-Microsoft applications, which can constrain its applicability in diverse IT environments. The platform can also be challenging to navigate, with a steep learning curve and complex workflows for policy management and alerts. Users might face delays in the application of policies and processing of alerts, potentially affecting the timeliness and effectiveness of data protection measures.

In conclusion, Microsoft Purview is effective for organizations entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem. However, for those requiring broader coverage and more adaptable solutions, other options may be more viable.

Google Cloud DLP

Google Cloud DLP is a solid choice for email encryption within the Google ecosystem, offering effective data protection for Google Workspace applications like Gmail and Google Drive. Its seamless integration with Google services ensures robust coverage and helps meet regulatory compliance requirements for data protection laws such as GDPR and HIPAA. 

However, Google Cloud DLP’s scope is primarily confined to Google Cloud services, and it lacks support for broader applications and file types like .zip archives or embedded images. Additionally, it offers less flexibility compared to other solutions, with fewer customizable policies and limited advanced features such as employee self-remediation and integration with non-Google systems.

In summary, Google Cloud DLP is well-suited for organizations that are heavily invested in Google Workspace. For those requiring more extensive coverage and advanced features, other solutions may offer a better fit.

Zix

Zix’s Webroot Advanced Email Encryption offers seamless email encryption capabilities within their "Secure Cloud" framework. Customers may choose Zix over Paubox for its policy-based filters that automatically scan emails and attachments, encrypting those containing sensitive data.

Zix's patented "Best Method of Delivery" ensures secure message transmission through various methods, such as secure web portals or secure PDFs, which are accessible on any device. This flexibility can enhance the experience for both senders and recipients.

However, some users report that Zix can be complex to set up and manage, especially for smaller organizations. The learning curve for both administrators and end-users can be steep. Moreover, Zix is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

SendSafely

SendSafely is a secure file transfer and email encryption platform that emphasizes ease of use and strong security. Customers might choose SendSafely over Paubox for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with popular email clients and productivity tools.

SendSafely offers end-to-end encryption, secure file sharing, and the ability to recall or expire sent messages. Its drag-and-drop interface and browser extensions let users encrypt files and messages without leaving their usual workflow.

However, SendSafely may have limitations in terms of advanced DLP features and might not be as suitable for large enterprises with complex compliance requirements. Moreover, SendSafely is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

Mimecast

Mimecast is a strong contender for email encryption, offering a comprehensive solution designed to protect sensitive information across various email environments. It provides robust encryption capabilities, ensuring that emails and attachments are securely encrypted both in transit and at rest. Mimecast's integration with major email platforms, such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, allows for seamless deployment and management, making it a practical choice for organizations using these systems.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. While Mimecast excels in email encryption, it may not offer the same level of depth in other areas of data protection, such as comprehensive data loss prevention (DLP) or advanced threat detection. Its focus on email security means that organizations seeking a more holistic approach to data protection across various platforms and file types might find Mimecast's capabilities somewhat limited. Additionally, some users report that Mimecast’s interface can be complex and its setup may require a significant amount of configuration and management.

In summary, Mimecast is a solid choice for email encryption with strong integration and encryption features. However, for organizations seeking a more extensive data protection solution with broader coverage and advanced features beyond email, other options might be more suitable.

Paubox

Paubox provides HIPAA-compliant email encryption with a focus on healthcare organizations. Customers might choose Paubox over SendSafely for its seamless, "no extra steps" approach to email encryption, which doesn't require recipients to log in to a portal or download an app to view encrypted messages.

Paubox integrates with major email providers and offers additional features like inbound security against phishing and malware. Its HITRUST CSF certification may be particularly appealing to healthcare organizations.

However, Paubox's specialized focus on healthcare may make it less suitable for organizations in other industries. Some users have reported occasional delays in email delivery. Moreover, Paubox is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

Sharefile

Sharefile is a viable option for email encryption, as it offers robust encryption capabilities that protect email communications and attachments. It integrates well with various email platforms and provides user-friendly features such as secure file access and collaborative tools, which can be beneficial for teams working with confidential information.

However, ShareFile’s focus is primarily on secure file sharing rather than specialized email encryption. While it provides encryption for email attachments, its email security features are not as comprehensive as those offered by dedicated email encryption solutions. Additionally, ShareFile’s encryption capabilities might not extend beyond email to other areas of data protection, such as advanced data loss prevention (DLP) or threat detection. The platform may also involve a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with its interface and setup.

In summary, ShareFile is a strong choice for organizations that require secure file sharing and storage with email encryption capabilities. However, for those looking for a more specialized and extensive email encryption solution, with broader data protection features and easier integration, an alternative solution might prove a better fit.

What's the TL;DR for email encryption?

Email encryption is no longer optional for modern communication security. It protects sensitive data, ensures regulatory compliance, and maintains client trust. The email encryption products featured here represent the top solutions for 2024, each offering unique features to meet various needs. By adopting these solutions, organizations can enhance their data security and safeguard their communications effectively.

FAQs

What are the best email encryption tools for HIPAA compliance?

For HIPAA compliance, tools like Nightfall, Paubox, and Virtru offer strong email encryption features tailored to meet healthcare regulations and ensure the secure handling of Protected Health Information (PHI).

What are some key features to look for in an email encryption solution?

When choosing an email encryption solution, consider features like end-to-end encryption, ease of integration with existing email systems, compliance support, and user control over encrypted content.

Can email encryption prevent insider threats? 

Yes, email encryption can help mitigate insider threats by ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized individuals. It adds a layer of protection against unauthorized access and data leaks from within an organization.

How do DLP and encryption work together to protect data?

DLP solutions and encryption complement each other by providing a multi-layered approach to data security. DLP solutions identify and manage sensitive data, while encryption ensures that this data remains protected during transmission and storage.