How to Send an Encrypted Email 

Email encryption provides an additional layer of security when sending an email. Email encryption is available to anyone with a YaleConnect Office 365 account.

Email encryption converts the message and any attachments into unreadable cipher text. Only the recipient will be able to view the message.

When should I use email encryption?

You should encrypt emails whenever you send confidential data to external email providers. Confidential data includes high and moderate risk data.

EliApps is considered an external email provider. 

What is an external email provider?

Internal Office 365 email addresses end in yale.edu or ynhh.org. Any other email providers are considered external. This includes, but is not limited to:

Examples of external email providers include:

  • EliApps (@bulldogs.yale.edu) This is also known as Google Apps for Education.
  • Gmail (@gmail.com)
  • Comcast (@comcast.net)
  • Yahoo! (@yahoo.com)
Confidential data includes high and moderate risk data.

What confidential data should I encrypt?

Confidential data includes any high and moderate risk data. Important examples of confidential data you should encrypt when transmitting over email include, but are not limited to:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Protected health information (PHI)
  • Clinical trial data
  • Credit card numbers
  • Grades for assignments and courses
  • Trade secrets
  • Disciplinary records
  • Salary and tax records

How do I send an encrypted email?

Follow the instructions in the Yale ITS Email Encryption Knowledge Article.

Need help?

We are here to help you with questions regarding encrypted email. You can use one of these options:

  • Contact the ITS Help Desk via phone or email.
  • Contact your local IT Support Provider.