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.
What is an external email provider?
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)
Internal Office 365 email addresses end in yale.edu or ynhh.org.
What confidential data should I encrypt?
Confidential data includes high and moderate risk data. Important examples of confidential data you should encrypt when transmitting over email include:
- 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
These are a few examples of confidential data. Learn more about sensitive data types.
How do I send an encrypted email?
You can create and send an encrypted email in three steps:
- Open your Office 365 email account, in either the Outlook app or the web portal.
- Compose a new message.
- In the beginning of the subject line of the message, include the word 'encrypt' with brackets around it. For example: SUBJECT: [encrypt] Please review today
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. Phone: 203-432-9000 Email: helpdesk@yale.edu
- Contact your local IT Support Provider
- Visit the Yale ITS Email Encryption Knowledge Article