Encrypted Email vs. Standard Email: Do You Really Need It?

 

Have you ever sent a postcard through the mail? Anyone who handles it—from the postman to the sorting facility staff—can flip it over and read your message.

Standard email is the digital equivalent of a postcard.

While it feels private because it lands in a specific inbox, the journey that message takes across the internet is often far less secure than you realize. This brings us to a critical question for both business owners and privacy-conscious individuals: Encrypted Email vs. Standard Email—do you really need it?

The short answer is yes. Here is why the difference matters and how it impacts your digital safety.

What is Standard Email?

Standard email protocols (like SMTP) were designed decades ago with delivery speed in mind, not security. When you send a standard email, it may be protected while moving from your computer to your email server (using basic TLS), but it is not guaranteed to remain secure for the entire journey.

If a hacker intercepts a standard email in transit, or if a server along the way is compromised, the text inside is readable plain text. It is exactly like that postcard—open for anyone with access to see.

What is Encrypted Email?

If standard email is a postcard, encrypted email is a sealed, armored envelope.

Encryption scrambles the contents of your message into unreadable "ciphertext." Only the person with the correct digital "key" (the intended recipient) can unscramble and read it. Even if a cybercriminal intercepts the message, all they will see is a chaotic jumble of random characters.

There are generally two types of encryption you should know about:

1. Transport Layer Security (TLS): Prevents eavesdropping while the email is moving between servers (standard in most modern email, but not foolproof).

2. End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): The gold standard. The message is encrypted on your device and stays encrypted until the recipient opens it. Not even the email provider (like Google or Outlook) can read it.

Do You Really Need It?

Many people assume they are "too small to hack." However, automated bots scan millions of emails daily looking for keywords like "invoice," "password," or "bank account."

1. You Need It for Compliance

If you run a business, you likely must use encryption by law. Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PIPEDA require strict protection of personal data. Sending a client's medical records, legal documents, or financial details over standard email is a compliance violation waiting to happen.

2. You Need It to Protect Your Identity

For individuals, standard email is often where we send tax forms to accountants or voided checks to employers. If this data is intercepted, it provides everything a thief needs to steal your identity.

3. You Need It to Prevent Business Fraud

Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a massive industry. Hackers monitor unencrypted business emails to learn how you speak to vendors. They then step in with a fake invoice that looks identical to a real one. Encryption helps prevent these "man-in-the-middle" attacks.

How to Secure Your Communications

Switching to encrypted email doesn't mean you need to be a tech genius. Modern solutions integrate directly with the tools you already use, like Outlook or Gmail, working silently in the background to ensure your "digital envelopes" are sealed tight.

Don't wait for a data breach to take your email privacy seriously. If you are looking to audit your current setup or implement robust encryption standards, you need professional guidance tailored to your infrastructure.

For expert advice on protecting your communications, explore these cyber security solutions to ensure your business data stays out of the wrong hands.