Top 5 HIPAA compliant email encryption software

Blocksurvey blog author
Apr 13, 2023 · 3 mins read

In today's digital age, it's essential to keep confidential information secure. For healthcare providers, this means complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, which require them to safeguard patient information.

One of the most common ways healthcare providers communicate with patients and colleagues is through email. However, regular email services are not always secure enough to meet HIPAA standards. That's where HIPAA-compliant email encryption software comes in.

What is email encryption software?

Email encryption software is a crucial tool for protecting sensitive information that is sent via email. It involves the use of cryptographic algorithms to scramble the contents of an email message so that only the intended recipient can decrypt and read it. This provides an added layer of security to sensitive information such as personal health information (PHI), financial data, and other confidential information.

Email encryption software works by generating a pair of public and private keys that are unique to the recipient and sender of an email. The sender uses the recipient’s public key to encrypt the message, and the recipient uses their private key to decrypt it. This ensures that even if the email is intercepted by a hacker, the content will be unreadable without the recipient's private key.

In addition to protecting sensitive information, email encryption software is also essential for complying with various regulatory requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the healthcare industry. HIPAA requires all entities that handle PHI to implement appropriate security measures, including encryption, to protect the privacy and security of patients' information.

Overall, email encryption software is an essential tool for anyone who wants to protect their sensitive information and comply with regulatory requirements. With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats and data breaches, email encryption software is becoming more critical than ever.

In this blog post, we will take a look at the top 5 HIPAA-compliant email encryption software options available in 2023.

LuxSci

LuxSci is a secure email service that offers end-to-end encryption and HIPAA-compliant email archiving. It is also compatible with popular email clients like Outlook and Apple Mail.

LuxSci offers several security features, including spam filtering, virus scanning, and phishing protection. It also has a user-friendly interface and offers customizable branding options.

Virtru

Virtru is an email encryption software that is designed specifically for healthcare providers. It offers end-to-end encryption, as well as other security features like data loss prevention and email revocation.

Virtru is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with popular email clients like Gmail and Outlook. It also offers a HIPAA-compliant email archiving solution.

Zix

Zix is a popular email encryption software that has been around for over 20 years. It offers several security features that meet HIPAA standards, including end-to-end encryption and data loss prevention.

Zix is easy to use and integrates with most email clients, including Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace. It also offers a HIPAA-compliant email archiving solution.

Tutanota

Tutanota is another secure email service that offers end-to-end encryption and complies with HIPAA regulations. Like ProtonMail, it is headquartered in Europe and offers robust privacy protection.

Tutanota is easy to use and has several features that make it a choice for healthcare providers. For example, it allows you to create multiple email aliases and offers two-factor authentication for added security. Tutanota is also available for desktop and mobile devices.

ProtonMail

ProtonMail is a secure email service that is known for its end-to-end encryption and strict privacy policy. It is headquartered in Switzerland, which is known for its strong privacy laws.

ProtonMail is easy to use and offers several security features that meet HIPAA standards. It is also compatible with popular email clients like Outlook and Thunderbird. Additionally, ProtonMail is available for both desktop and mobile devices.

To Sum Up

In conclusion, ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive information is of utmost importance in the healthcare industry. HIPAA compliant email encryption software is a critical tool that helps healthcare providers and their staff keep electronic protected health information (ePHI) secure and private during transmission.

The top 5 HIPAA compliant email encryption software mentioned in this blog - Luxsci, Virtru, Zix, Tutanota, and ProtonMail - all offer reliable and secure email encryption solutions that comply with HIPAA regulations.

However, it is important to note that simply using a HIPAA compliant email encryption software is not enough to ensure complete HIPAA compliance. Organizations must also implement other measures such as employee training, access controls, risk assessments, and regular audits to mitigate the risk of data breaches and ensure overall HIPAA compliance.

Choosing the right email encryption software that meets the organization's specific needs and requirements is crucial. The software should be easy to use, offer secure and reliable encryption, and be compatible with the organization's existing email systems. By selecting one of the top 5 HIPAA compliant email encryption software mentioned in this blog, healthcare organizations can enhance their security posture and protect sensitive patient information during email transmission.

Top 5 HIPAA compliant email encryption software FAQ

What is HIPAA compliant email encryption software?

HIPAA compliant email encryption software is software that is designed to protect the confidentiality and integrity of electronic protected health information (ePHI) when it is sent or received via email. The software typically uses encryption technology and secure protocols to ensure that the data is protected from unauthorized access.

Do I need to use HIPAA compliant email encryption software?

Yes, if you are sending or receiving ePHI via email, you must use HIPAA compliant email encryption software.

What type of encryption does HIPAA compliant email encryption software use?

HIPAA compliant email encryption software typically uses symmetric and/or asymmetric encryption technology to protect data sent via email.

What are the benefits of using HIPAA compliant email encryption software?

Using HIPAA compliant email encryption software can help to ensure that ePHI is kept secure and confidential, and that it is not sent to unauthorized individuals. It also helps to reduce the risk of data breaches and can help to comply with HIPAA regulations.

How often should I update my HIPAA compliant email encryption software?

It is important to keep your HIPAA compliant email encryption software up-to-date in order to ensure that the latest security features are available. Check with your software provider for details on when updates should be applied.

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blog author description

Sarath Shyamson

Sarath Shyamson is the customer success person at BlockSurvey and also heads the outreach. He enjoys volunteering for the church choir and loves spending time with his two year old son.

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