The practice of encrypting, or disguising, the content of email messages in order to protect potentially sensitive information from being read by anyone other than intended recipients.

Email encryption ensures that the content of an email is only read by the intended audience. If emails are sent in “in the clear” (not encrypted) and intercepted, a hacker has access to any information in that email.

Encryption often includes authentication, and can significantly lower the chances of a hacker gaining access to the sensitive data within your emails.