Email security: Smartlockr SMTP Relay Service vs a mobile app

We live in a digital world. Everything is interconnected and we communicate more than ever. Whether you are at the office or on the road: we always find a moment to be online. And that is not surprising, because we can always zoom out to, for example, chat with friends or check the mail.

While we can always do it, that doesn't mean we always have to. Because no matter how easy it is, with digital opportunities there are also many digital dangers. For example, look at various apps on the phone that we use every day. If not tested properly, these will do more damage than good.

If we look at secure mailing, it would also be possible to do this via an app. But is this secure enough? Or should you opt for email security with an extra layer in your own email process, with an SMTP Relay Service (or SMTP Server)? In this blog we explain the difference and list the pros and cons for you.

While we can always do it, that doesn't mean we always have to. Because no matter how easy it is, with digital opportunities there are also many digital dangers. For example, look at various apps on the phone that we use every day. If not tested properly, these will do more damage than good.

If we look at secure mailing, it would also be possible to do this via an app. But is this secure enough? Or should you opt for email security with an extra layer in your own email process, with an SMTP Relay Service (or SMTP Server)? In this blog we explain the difference and list the pros and cons for you.

What is an SMTP Relay Service?

In short: a lot can go wrong with secure emailing. Sometimes, messages do not reach the recipient's inbox because it is blocked on the way. To ensure that this process runs smoothly, and messages are delivered, an intermediary is needed: this is where the SMTP Relay Service comes in. The Relay Service ensures that the sent emails en route receive the correct security adjustments, where necessary, to be delivered.

The SMTP Relay Service is the perfect way to secure emails. It works as an extra security option within your email environment and meets strict security requirements. It can respond to pre-set content filters, whereby you as an organization have set preferences for a certain security level. Suppose you send an e-mail with attachments, with content that is set as a content filter.

The SMTP Relay Service recognizes this setting and will add the appropriate security. Without you as a user having to do anything for this. Email security is running in the background.

That is not the only benefit. There are more for your organization:

• Using the SMTP Relay Service makes it easy to work from any device. Whether you work on your mobile, laptop or tablet: the integration ensures that secure mailing is always possible.
• You continue to email securely from your trusted email environment. The SMTP Relay Service works in the background, so you as a user do not see any changes. Therefore, your work process won’t get disrupted.
• No additional software needs to be installed. This is not only convenient, but also very user-friendly. Users with minimal technical knowledge can therefore continue to email securely, so that they do not have to master a new system.
• With content filters you can specify exactly which content needs extra security. By applying the correct security, human error is removed from the work process in the background.
  
  The SMTP Relay Service can therefore eliminate human error. Incidentally, this happens in the background, so that there is no visible awareness for the user. To what extent this can be an obstacle for your organization depends on what your preferences are in this regard.

SMTP Relay Service or a mobile app?

We always have our mobile phones with us. We also use it everywhere. That is why an app for secure mailing could be attractive. Which it certainly is. Yet, there are also some drawbacks. We have listed the pros and cons for you:

+ An app is easy to use, provided the UX design is user-friendly. We have become increasingly easy at working with apps and therefore have certain expectations. Too much text? Not attractive. Are any buttons hidden? Not convenient. Is not all information available quickly? Too cumbersome. An app can be useful, provided it adds something for the user and does not cause any nuisance.

+ Awareness for the user is also present in the app. With alerts and notifications, the user can be made aware during the email process.

-  A separate app means that the user must install something. As with any app, constant updates will occur. This can be at the expense of the security of the service. An error in the system can cause the app to stop working properly.

-  Switching to a separate app can be experienced as non-user friendly. Those who want to work securely, effectively and easily cannot find it easy to switch between different interfaces. 

What you as an organization will ultimately choose depends on your email security wishes. Do you think user-friendliness is important? Do you want to be able to work securely anytime, anywhere in a simple way? Or do you find it important that awareness remains within sight of the user?

Why Smartlockr offers an SMTP Relay Service?

Smartlockr consciously chooses not to offer a separate app. While it can be easy to use, it also has plenty of drawbacks.

With our SMTP Relay Service, we want to combine security and user-friendliness. So that you as an organization do not have to worry about security, and your users do not have to worry about new systems. Because that's what it's all about: making it as easy as possible for your users to continue to communicate securely.

To sum up, you as an organization benefit a lot from this:

• Email security will never come at the expense of user-friendliness. Our solution is an addition, not an extra action – and certainly no hassle.
• You can email securely at any time, from any device. Whether this is from the office or convenience of your own home: we make this possible for you.
• The investment simply pays for itself. Employees who continue to work without hindrance from the work processes will also continue to work securely. This saves you as an organization a lot of unpleasant financial costs afterwards.