To send a secure email in Outlook, you typically use email encryption. Outlook supports two main encryption methods: S/MIME encryption, which requires you and the recipient to have digital certificates, and Microsoft 365 Message Encryption, which is available to Microsoft 365 subscribers and offers options like Encrypt-Only and Do Not Forward. Here is a general approach for sending an encrypted email in Outlook:
- Setup:
- For S/MIME encryption, obtain and install a digital certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
- In Outlook, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Email Security, and install/configure your certificate under "Certificates and Algorithms."
- Sending an Encrypted Email:
- Open Outlook and compose a new email.
- In the new email window, go to the Options tab.
- Click on Encrypt and select the desired encryption option (e.g., Encrypt-Only or Do Not Forward).
- Add recipients and compose your email as usual.
- Send the email securely encrypted.
For Outlook Web App (OWA), there is an Encrypt option during email composition that functions similarly. Additionally, Microsoft Outlook offers the ability to encrypt all outgoing messages by default, and there are add-ins that provide secure email transmission without the recipient needing any special setup. The recipient must be able to decrypt the email either by having the corresponding S/MIME certificate or Microsoft 365 account permission. This method ensures that only the recipient can read the email content and attachments, protecting your email communication from unauthorized access.
