Microsoft is planning to add an extra layer of security to its messaging services. The Washington based company expects to bring in the security feature by early 2014.
With the Office 365 Message Encryption, Microsoft users will be able to send mails irrespective of any destination in an encrypted format. Encryption is nothing but a protection cover over the confidential details on the mail that can be comprehended and accessed only by the specific recipient. Interestingly, the replies or the forwarded mails from the recipients will be also be delivered in an encrypted format.
"We're pleased to announce the upcoming release of Office 365 Message Encryption, a new service that lets you send encrypted emails to people outside your company," said Shobhit Sahay, product manager of Microsoft, on the official blog ."No matter what the destination-Outlook.com, Yahoo, Gmail, Exchange Server, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, Squirrel Mail, you name it-you can send sensitive business communications with an additional level of protection against unauthorized access."
The latest security feature from Microsoft will come free of cost for the Office 365 E3 and E4 users and for the Windows Azure Management.
How does the Encrypted messaging works:
The company first needs to enforce the security feature on the admin center. The administrator should follow the guidelines on the Microsoft site to turn on the encryption and the mails sent by the employees that match the protocol set by the company will by default activate encryption on the mailing service.
The encrypted messages received will open on a different window where the recipient will be asked his/her specific login details for Microsoft or Office 365 account to view the mail.
The encryption features comes on an Outlook web app interface that makes the mailing features handy and the users can easily navigate through the options. As stated earlier, the forwarded messages will also appear in encrypted formats. The encryption also allows the senders to enable company logos on mails.
"Office 365 Message Encryption is the new version of Exchange Hosted Encryption (EHE). This version includes all of the capabilities of EHE plus new features, such as the ability to apply your company's branding to encrypted messages," said Sahay in a statement.
Yahoo will also be implementing a secure socket layer to allow encryption on its mailing service by next year, reports CNet. Google implemented this feature long back and has made it a default setting for its Gmail users since 2010.