FSA Secure Email Frequently Asked
Questions
Details
In the last few years we have provided secure email solutions to Independent Financial Advisors and other FSA regulated businesses to help them to protect their client data and meet regulations around data security.
Below are a number of questions that we have been asked by Financial Advisors. If you have further questions we are more than happy to answer them on an individual basis – please contact us.
FAQ Index
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1. As an FSA regulated business, why do I need secure email?
The FSA regulated firms are obliged to have systems and controls in place for data security that:
- mitigate the risk of data loss and fraud to their businesses
- for countering the risk that the firm might be used to further financial crime.
For most financial services firms in the UK, this means that they need to address the risk that their customer data may be lost or stolen and then used to commit fraud or other financial crime. Now, with several well publicised incidents of data loss, nobody in the UK can claim ignorance to the risk of customer data falling into the wrong hands.
Current regulations do not, yet, explicitly mandate the use of secure email as a means of protecting data. However, using secure email is widely recognised as best practice and a future-proof solution to reduce the risk of loss of data in transit.
For more information on secure email and FSA regulations, please see our white paper on firms’ responsibilities for protecting data.
2. I post all of my sensitive information to my clients and I send any important documentation by recorded delivery. Why should I change to secure email?
Until now, it has been acceptable to use the postal system to send secure documents because of the lack of viable alternatives. However, there are several problems with using the postal system to send sensitive information. For example, it is very common for data to be lost in the post and there are well documented cases of identity fraud, where a customer’s confidential details have been compromised and used for fraudulent purposes. Even recorded delivery only proves that a document has been sent to an address and signed for- it does not guarantee that, it was signed by the intended recipient and guarantee it has not been opened.
Recent advances in email encryption technology mean that sending data securely and electronically is now a much better way of communicating securely with customers. Secure email provides encryption, authentication and an audit trail so that you know your data has been secured and has only been accessed by the intended recipient.
Secure email is also cheaper than post and, for businesses concerned with reducing carbon footprint, it is greener too.
3. I use email everyday to communicate with my clients and no one has ever complained that it is not secure. I sometimes password protect my attached documents, surely that is secure enough?
Email is a great way to communicate. In fact, few of us today can imagine conducting business without email. However, sending an email is the equivalent of sending a postcard in the post. In other words, the information could be read by any party that has access to the content, or anyone who chooses to illegally track and steal that information.
Businesses spend huge sums of money protecting their networks against hackers, malicious attacks, spam and viruses. It is just as important to protect information in transit. The FSA has started to recognise this and has been referenced in recent mandates concerning the security of data in transit.
Password protecting attachments is a good safety measure and you can still do this using SSLPost as an additional security layer. However, password protecting attachments alone, does not tell you whether your email has been intercepted, tampered with or compromised in any way, whereas secure email has this as an inbuilt feature.
4. Why is SSLPost the best secure email solution for my business?
SSLPost provides secure email and secure document delivery solutions. We enable businesses to improve communication by providing more cost effective, environmentally friendly and secure solutions.
We focus on delivering practical business solutions so that our customers can send confidential information securely without the need to become experts in email encryption.
We are also passionate about supporting our customers in a discipline that is not their first area of expertise. Consequently, we have developed a solution that is easy to set up and install and doesn’t require either the sender or recipient to have any complex software or security certificates - we take care of all of that. Plus, we have a customer services team where able to support our customers on the phone or via email at every stage of the process.
Addressing all of these needs is at the heart of our solutions:
- We operate very complex encryption technology that meets with the highest industry standards (including ISO 27001, and FIPS Level 1 accreditation) to make sure that we provide an excellent service.
- We don’t require you to become an expert in encryption. In fact, our solutions are very easy for both senders and recipients’ to use so you can get on with your business without worrying about data security.
- Our solutions are very competitively priced to give you excellent value for money.
- We have a highly skilled support team who are on hand to answer any questions from you or your recipients during the set up process and anytime you send an email.
5. Which package is right for me?
Choose our SSLPost Professional package if:
- you would like to start using secure email as part of your everyday business communication
- you would like to set up more than one user account
- you use Microsoft Outlook and would like to integrate our desktop plug-in; or you would like tuse our web access service
- you would like to customise your account
Choose our SSLPost Private package if:
- you are a personal user or only occasionally need to send secure emails
- you only need a single account
- you want to use our web access service
6. How much does it cost?
- SSLPost Professional: for professional businesses that use secure email as part of their everyday communications
- Competitively priced at ÂŁ10 per month.
- Includes 500 emails per month or 6,000 per year.
- Includes web access and Microsoft Outlook Plug-in.
- Single and multi-user availability.
- Customisation available at additional cost.
- SSLPost Private: for personal or occasional use
- Competitively priced at ÂŁ5 per month.
- Includes 2,000 emails per year.
- Includes web access.
- Single and multi-user availability.
- Single user account.
7. Can you let me know a bit more about SSLPost?
SSLPost is a GCrypt company. GCrypt was established in 2006 to develop patented protected encryption technology to allow businesses to send emails and electronic documents securely.
We have grown to become experts in encryption and our technology is fully accredited by a range of standards including ISO27001, FIPS 140-2 Level 1 and SAP accreditation.
We have invested in our people and we have built a core UK management team that has substantial experience of the UK software industry. We have the right resources to continue to support the growth in our business and to support our customers’ needs. For more information on SSLPost.
8. How do I sign up for an account?
You can start sending secure emails today by signing up for our no obligation 30 day free trial. To sign up, please email sales@sslpost.com or call 08456 425 425
