What is email (electronic mail)?

Secure email gateway. Organizations can protect themselves from threats by setting up an email security gateway. Email gateways process and scan all received emails to prevent attacks from reaching their intended recipients. A multilayered gateway is the best approach, since attacks are becoming increasingly more complicated and sophisticated. Training employees on how to properly use email and how to distinguish malicious messages can also help users avoid threatening mail that the gateway doesn't catch.
Automated email encryption. Automated email encryption software can be used to scan all outgoing messages for potentially sensitive information. If the material is considered sensitive, then the content should be automatically encrypted before it's sent to the intended recipient. This process prevents attackers from gaining access to this information, even if they intercept it. Only recipients with permission to view the email can see the decrypted content.
Access control standards. Email service providers can also improve email security by establishing strong password and access control standards and mechanisms.
Digital signatures and encryption. In addition to organizations using automated encryption software, providers should also use encryption and digital signatures to protect emails in transit and in users' inboxes.