15 Email Security Best Practices for 2024

Email is a critical tool in today’s business world, but it’s also a primary target for cybercriminals looking to break into corporate networks. By implementing strong email security practices, businesses can reduce risks and protect sensitive information. Here are 15 email security best practices to share with your employees to keep your organization secure.

1. Train Employees on Email Security
   Regular training is the foundation of email security. Employees should be aware of potential threats like phishing and understand how to recognize suspicious emails. Security awareness programs are essential to staying updated on evolving threats.

2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
   Encourage employees to create long, unique passwords for their email accounts. Passphrases are a great option—easy to remember but hard to guess. A company-wide password policy should outline the importance of password strength.

3. Don’t Reuse Passwords
   Password reuse across multiple accounts is a major security risk. Attackers can exploit one compromised account to gain access to others. Using unique passwords for each account is crucial for minimizing this risk.

4. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring more than just a password to access email accounts. Even if an attacker steals a password, they’ll be unable to access the account without the additional authentication factor.

5. Take Phishing Seriously
   Phishing attacks remain a major threat. Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown senders. Include phishing awareness in regular security training.

6. Be Wary of Attachments
   Attachments can contain malicious code, even from trusted sources. Make sure your email security posture includes safe sandbox detonation and scanning of email born links and attachments to prevent malware from infiltrating your organization through email.
   
7. Don’t Click Email Links
   Links in emails can be deceptive, leading to malicious websites. Teach employees to hover over links and scrutinize URLs before clicking. 
   
8. Don’t Use Business Email for Personal Use
   Mixing personal and business email usage increases the risk of security breaches. Employees should only use corporate email for work-related purposes and avoid logging into personal accounts using work devices.
   
9. Use Corporate Email on Approved Devices Only
   Ensure that employees only access corporate email on company-approved devices with the necessary security controls in place. Unapproved devices might not have sufficient protection, making them a vulnerability.
   
10. Encrypt Emails and Attachments
    Email encryption protects the content of emails from unauthorized access. Make sure employees understand how to use encryption tools to safeguard sensitive communications and attachments.
    
11. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Email
    Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously insecure. Employees should avoid accessing corporate email while connected to public Wi-Fi unless they are using a secure VPN to encrypt their connection.
    
12. Use Email Security Protocols
    Protocols like DKIM, SPF, and DMARC help prevent email spoofing and ensure that only legitimate messages reach employees’ inboxes. Businesses should ensure these protocols are in place for all corporate email accounts.
    
13. Use Email Security Tools
    Implement email security tools such as spam filters, antivirus software, and email security gateways to protect against malware and phishing attacks. These tools provide an additional layer of defense.
    
14. Log Out of Email When Not in Use
    Encourage employees to log out of their email accounts when they are not actively using them, especially on shared devices. Leaving accounts open increases the risk of unauthorized access.
    
15. Regularly Monitor for Breaches
    Stay vigilant for any signs of data breaches that may affect email security. Tools like password managers can alert employees if their credentials are found in known data breaches, allowing them to take action quickly.

Stay Ahead of Email Security Threats with Go West IT

At Go West IT, we understand the importance of email security in protecting your organization from cyber threats. Our comprehensive managed services include tools and strategies to help you safeguard your business from email-related risks. Whether it’s deploying MFA, monitoring for breaches, or training employees on security best practices, we’ve got you covered.

Learn more about our managed services.