Insights

Sending email between organizations is a standard communication process for many organizations for sharing information, collaborating and transacting business by leveraging the Internet. However, despite its convenience, using the Internet for sending email does introduce additional risks for protecting sensitive and confidential information. In most cases, email is being delivered in an unencrypted format, which increases the risk that an email can be compromised by a third party.

The Schneider Downs standard for protecting data integrity when sending email over the Internet is a standard called Transport Layer Security (TLS). This is a common capability with many organizations and is available on most email servers (including Microsoft Exchange). It also has been recognized as a standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

TLS provides point-to-point encrypted email to ensure that contents cannot be compromised while the email is travelling over the Internet. It is similar to SSL (used for transacting business over websites securely) in that it provides a framework for providing encryption security based on “certificates.”

Many institutions have adopted this as a standard based on the level of security combined with the ease of use once it is set up. Its specific benefits include: 

1. It provides email encryption/protection between trading partners
2. All emails are encrypted, and no additional steps are required to create or receive the email
3. It is emerging as a standard with validation by the IETF
4. No other configuration is needed on the desktop to support this standard

Schneider Downs recommends that each of our clients consider employing this data integrity standard as part of your professional interactions. These steps are relatively easy to implement, yet they provide important safeguards for your company and its information.

Schneider Downs provides accounting, tax and business advisory services through innovative thought leaders who deliver the expertise to meet the individual needs of each client. Our offices are located in Pittsburgh, PA, and Columbus, OH.

This advice is not intended or written to be used for, and it cannot be used for, the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties that may be imposed, or for promoting, marketing or recommending to another person, any tax related matter.

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