Wustl email device encryption

Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) provides email device encryption to protect sensitive and confidential information sent via email. Here's an overview of the encryption process:

What is email device encryption?

Email device encryption is a security measure that encrypts emails on the sender's device before they are sent over the internet. This ensures that even if an email is intercepted or accessed by an unauthorized party, the contents of the email remain confidential.

How does WUSTL's email device encryption work?

WUSTL uses a technology called "Transport Layer Security" (TLS) to encrypt emails. Here's how it works:

  1. When you compose an email, WUSTL's email system checks the recipient's email address to determine if the email requires encryption.
  2. If the recipient's email address is associated with a sensitive or confidential account, the email system automatically encrypts the email using TLS.
  3. The encrypted email is then sent to the recipient's email server, where it is decrypted and delivered to the recipient's inbox.

What types of emails are encrypted?

WUSTL's email device encryption is enabled for all emails sent to or from WUSTL email addresses, including:

How can I verify that my email is encrypted?

To verify that your email is encrypted, you can check the email header for the following:

What should I do if I have concerns about email encryption?

If you have concerns about email encryption or suspect that an email has been compromised, please contact the WUSTL IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 314-935-5555.