GUIDE: How Do I Encrypt Emails In Outlook?

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of any company’s ability to do business. No matter what type of small-to-medium sized business you operate, your clients expect you to maintain the privacy of their affairs and information, no matter what.

It has never been more difficult to do so. Data breaches are more common than ever before, and businesses are prime targets for hackers that want valuable information.

That’s why you need email encryption—check out our latest video to find out how to encrypt your emails in Microsoft Outlook:

What Encryption Options Does Microsoft Outlook Offer?

You can configure your Microsoft Outlook account to offer a range of types of encryption:

  • Unrestricted: The default, unsecured format for emails
  • Encrypt Only: Requires the recipient to use a one-time passcode to verify their identity and read the message
  • Do Not Forward: Includes the Encrypt Only features, and does not allow the recipient to forward the message to other contacts
  • Confidential / All Employees: Restricts access to recipients with an approved email account, which can be limited to specific staff members

How To Send Encrypted Emails In Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook Desktop Client

  1. Compose Your Email
  2. Click File
  3. Select Encrypt
  4. Choose the appropriate option

Alternatively, you can follow this path to encrypt your message:

  1. Compose your message
  2. Click Options
  3. Select Encrypt
  4. Select the encryption that offers the necessary restrictions (e.g. Encrypt-Only or Do Not Forward)

Microsoft Outlook Web Client

  1. Compose your message
  2. Click Encrypt
  3. Select how you want it encrypted

Your message will then be encrypted—it’s a simple way to protect your communications against prying eyes that intercept them in transit or breach the recipient’s inbox.

To learn more about the features offered by Microsoft solutions and apps, make sure to check out our on-demand library of past How-To videos on our YouTube channel.