In 2017, the American Bar Association stated that email encryption may be warranted in some<\/em> circumstances.[2]<\/a>\u00a0 However, in modern times, with COVID-19, cyberattacks have greatly increased, \u201camplifying the threat to individuals and organizations.\u201d[3]<\/a>\u00a0 Thus, email encryption is highly<\/em> recommended.<\/p>\n Not all law firms and offices have an information technology support department to set up email encryption; however, all law firms and offices have a duty to protect confidential client information.[4]<\/a>\u00a0 Inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure could include an intercepted email by someone other than the intended recipient.\u00a0 Imagine the damage caused if a client\u2019s tax return, medical records, or even credit card payment information were intercepted by an unauthorized party.\u00a0 Now, imagine the damage caused if a client\u2019s confidential settlement agreement, merger and acquisition information, or intellectual property were intercepted by an unauthorized party.\u00a0 The damage would be immense.\u00a0 Email encryption will mitigate the risk of an inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure.<\/p>\n So, what are the options?\u00a0 Let\u2019s start with the free options.\u00a0 If your law firm or office uses a Gmail-based email, you have got it easy!\u00a0 Mailvelope, FlowCrypt, and LockMagic are only a few of the many free Google Extensions for email encryption.[5]<\/a>\u00a0 If your law firm or office uses an Outlook-based email, you have got it almost as easy!\u00a0 Secure\/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S\/MIME) or Azure Rights Management Services (RMS) are some of your choices.[6]<\/a>\u00a0 Although, these email encryption options are free, they get the job done![7]<\/a><\/p>\n Next, the paid options.\u00a0 Many of the paid options are paid because they combine email encryption with a private email server for maximum client confidentiality.[8]<\/a>\u00a0 Paying for a private email server removes the free-email-provider business incentive of making money with your data.[9]<\/a>\u00a0 ProtonMail, HushMail, and CounterMail are only a few of the many paid options.[10]<\/a>\u00a0 How much do these paid options cost?\u00a0 Not much.\u00a0 ProtonMail Professional is approximately $7.00 per month.[11]<\/a>\u00a0 HushMail for Law is approximately $10.00 per month.[12]<\/a>\u00a0 CounterMail Premium is approximately $5.00 per month.[13]<\/a><\/p>\n Overall, between the free options and paying approximately $5.00 to $10.00 per month, email encryption is well worth the time and money to ensure client confidentiality.\u00a0 Again, email encryption is quick and easy to install, easy to use, and provides enhanced client confidentiality.\u00a0 Email Encryption \u2013 Just do it!<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Model Rules of Pro. Conduct r. 1.6(c) (Am. Bar Ass\u2019n 2020).<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> ABA Comm. on Ethics & Pro. Resp., Formal Op. 17-477, at 5 (2017).<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> COVID-19 Exploited by Malicious Cyber Actors<\/em>, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Apr. 8, 2020), https:\/\/us-cert.cisa.gov\/ncas\/alerts\/aa20-099a.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> See<\/em> Model Rules of Pro. Conduct r. 1.6(c) (Am. Bar Ass\u2019n 2020).<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Stephanie Faris, Use These 4 Chrome Plugins to Encrypt Your Gmail Messages<\/em>, Help Desk Geeks (Sept. 1, 2019), https:\/\/helpdeskgeek.com\/free-tools-review\/use-these-4-chrome-plugins-to-encrypt-your-gmail-messages.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Bryan Peace, How to Encrypt Email in Microsoft Outlook<\/em>, Virtru (Aug. 14, 2019), https:\/\/www.virtru.com\/blog\/encrypt-email-outlook.<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> For instructions on how to install and use these email encryption methods, conduct a YouTube search for that specific email encryption method.<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> See<\/em> Alexander Fox, Are Private Email Services Worth the Money?<\/em>, Make Tech Easier (June 13, 2019), https:\/\/www.maketecheasier.com\/private-email-services-worth-the-money.<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Free email providers, such as Google, are free because they scan your email<\/em> for targeted advertising purposes, to which they use to show you a personalized advertisement; although Google does not sell your information to third-parties, these third-parties pay Google to show advertisements to Google users who are most likely to purchase the advertiser\u2019s product.\u00a0 Privacy Policy: Why You\u2019re Seeing an Ad<\/em>, Google, https:\/\/support.google.com\/ads\/answer\/1634057?p=privpol_whyad&hl=en&visit_id=637374566438757927-831058077&rd=1 (last visited Oct. 6, 2020).<\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Fox, supra<\/em> note 8.<\/p>\n [11]<\/a> Select Your ProtonMail Account Type<\/em>, ProtonMail, https:\/\/protonmail.com\/signup?plan=business (last visited Oct. 6, 2020).<\/p>\n [12]<\/a> Email and Encryption in One Solution<\/em>, HushMail, https:\/\/www.hushmail.com\/business\/legal\/features\/?source=website&tag=page_business_legal,btn_features (last visited Oct. 6, 2020).<\/p>\n
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