Today’s Wednesday Bit is a guest article by Martin from Octagon Technology, looking at email encryption and Microsoft 365.
Ever thought about why you would need to encrypt an email?
Well here is a scenario. If I am sending an email that has proprietary information in it and I don’t want it to be forwarded to a competitor, Microsoft 365 (M365) has a way to encrypt it so that it cannot be forwarded and only the intended recipient can read it. You need to have the correct licence for this as it uses a function called IRM or Information Rights Management.
In today’s digital age, protecting sensitive information is more important than ever. Whether it’s personal data, confidential business documents, or proprietary information, ensuring that only authorised individuals can access and use this data is crucial. This is where Information Rights Management (IRM) comes into play, especially in applications like Microsoft Outlook.
Email Encryption and IRM
Information Rights Management (IRM) is a technology that helps protect sensitive information from unauthorised access and use. One of the primary reasons to use IRM in Outlook is to enhance the security of your emails. It does this by applying various restrictions to emails and documents, such as preventing them from being forwarded, copied, printed, or edited by unauthorised users. IRM is integrated into Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, providing a seamless way to safeguard your data.
Data leakage is a significant concern for many organisations. This is particularly important for businesses that handle confidential client information, financial data, or proprietary research. IRM helps mitigate this risk by preventing unauthorised users from forwarding, copying, or printing sensitive emails. By applying IRM policies, you can ensure that sensitive information is only accessible to intended recipients.
Martin Mayes – Operations Manager, Octgon Techology. By-line and other articles.
Further Reading
Octagon Technology – Technology without Tears.
Photo by Pixabay
