Cryptzone's Secured eMail is a client-server application that runs on the company's simple encryption platform (SEP). The client side runs as an add-in to either Outlook or Lotus Notes. It encrypts and compresses the entire email message (including subject and attachments) using AES256. The recipient must sign up using a web interface to open and read the encrypted email.
We started by installing the server. Once it was in place, we installed the management console. Both can be loaded on the same machine, and both went in without a hitch after we installed the required certificate. Next, we needed to configure the database, which in our case was SQL Server 2005. That is one of several SQL Server options, including SQL Express. The licensing procedure is a bit convoluted, but not unmanageable.
The server then deploys the clients, and we started that process. In the enterprise, the product uses group policy. Once the client is installed - we simply imported Active Directory users - the recipient receives an email that explains how to use the product. We then sent our first email. The recipient needs to install the client by clicking on a link in the message. There is no cost for this. Once installed, the user can open the received message by clicking on the attachment in the received email. Users create a shared secret between the sender and the recipient, and the process is then automatic from the second email on. Virtually any platform is supported for the reader, including smartphones and tablets.
We found this approach to be slick and easy to deploy. The documentation is prodigious and the website is first-rate. We found support to be a bit pricey for what was offered, however. Ninety days of deployment support is free, but after that support is 22 percent of net license cost. However, that support is only for 8-5 Monday through Friday. For an additional cost, 24/7 support is available. The support package keeps this one from being a superb value for the money.
We started by installing the server. Once it was in place, we installed the management console. Both can be loaded on the same machine, and both went in without a hitch after we installed the required certificate. Next, we needed to configure the database, which in our case was SQL Server 2005. That is one of several SQL Server options, including SQL Express. The licensing procedure is a bit convoluted, but not unmanageable.
The server then deploys the clients, and we started that process. In the enterprise, the product uses group policy. Once the client is installed - we simply imported Active Directory users - the recipient receives an email that explains how to use the product. We then sent our first email. The recipient needs to install the client by clicking on a link in the message. There is no cost for this. Once installed, the user can open the received message by clicking on the attachment in the received email. Users create a shared secret between the sender and the recipient, and the process is then automatic from the second email on. Virtually any platform is supported for the reader, including smartphones and tablets.
We found this approach to be slick and easy to deploy. The documentation is prodigious and the website is first-rate. We found support to be a bit pricey for what was offered, however. Ninety days of deployment support is free, but after that support is 22 percent of net license cost. However, that support is only for 8-5 Monday through Friday. For an additional cost, 24/7 support is available. The support package keeps this one from being a superb value for the money.
