E-Mail Security

In the case of Internet solutions, the protection of a company’s electronic assets (e-assets) is of primary importance. In terms of security technology, transferring an e-mail over the Internet is comparable to sending a postcard through the mail [via normal post], so it is essential to take security into consideration.

Today, many companies and government bodies transfer encrypted information by e-mail that was previously sent by registered mail or even by courier. There are several reasons for that:

• To secure against industrial espionage
• To protect sensitive information about people
• To preserve expertise

Securing e-mail communication at a central location has many benefits over the classic approach of securing e-mail on the client.

• Simple integration and administration
• Central implementation of a company’s security guidelines
• Support of all international e-mail security standards

SafeGuard MailGateway is a software appliance based on a hardened variant of the Linux operating system, which is integrated at the center of the SMTP chain. All incoming and outgoing e-mails are encrypted and decrypted by means of rules, and e-mails are digitally signed.

SafeGuard PushMail provides comprehensive cental protection for internal e-mail communication, if the organization is running PushMail services. SafeGuard WebMail is the idea extension of SafeGuard MailGateway, when encryption through S/Mime or OpenPGP is not available.

The following overview presents the optimal use of the e-mail security solutions from Utimaco: