Why email encryption matters.
Email remains a prime target for cyberattacks and accidental leaks. In fact, industry data shows a staggering 71.4% of Microsoft 365 business accounts experience at least one compromise each month. Encryption is the strongest safeguard: it scrambles email content so only the intended recipient can read it. Adding a third-party encryption layer provides “end-to-end encryption” on top of Microsoft’s built-in protections. This extra layer is essential for preventing breaches and meeting compliance mandates. For example, HIPAA rules require emails containing protected health information to be “encrypted in transit.” Encryption also protects against simple human errors (like misaddressed invoices) and insider misuse of data. Encryption satisfies regulatory data protection requirements, demonstrates to clients that you’re a proactive security partner, and even drives recurring revenue with minimal overhead.
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- Generates predictable monthly recurring revenue (MRR) with little extra work
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- Satisfies regulations (HIPAA, GLBA, PCI-DSS, CCPA/GDPR, etc.)
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- Prevents data leakage from human error or attacks
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- Positions your MSP as a proactive security partner, building client trust
Key Compliance Considerations
Before bundling encryption, identify each client’s regulatory requirements. Many SMB clients fall under one or more data-protection mandates. for example, healthcare (HIPAA), finance (GLBA), payment card industry (PCI-DSS), or privacy laws (GDPR/CCPA), require strong protection for sensitive data. For instance, HIPAA-compliant setups must ensure that protected health information (PHI) is never sent in plain text. Administrators should configure email security controls to ensure emails are encrypted in transit. Likewise, GDPR/CCPA rules underscore the need to protect personal data in all communications. Choosing an encryption solution that is explicitly designed for compliance can simplify these requirements. Secure Titan’s Encrypt Titan email encryption, is “built to comply with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, CCPA, and GDPR regulations.”
Microsoft 365’s Native Encryption vs Third-Party Tools
Microsoft 365 does include built-in encryption features, but they have limitations. Office 365 Message Encryption (OME) or Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (MPME) is included only in higher (and expensive) tier plans (Business Premium, E3, E5). If a client is on a lower-tier plan (e.g. Business Standard, premium, F3, or exchange online), they either must upgrade or buy an add-on to get email encryption.
If the recipient isn’t on Microsoft 365,, they get the “Read the message” link → browser → sign-in or OTP. That’s extra friction compared to systems that just decrypt inline in the mail client. That’s why many MSPs layer on a separate encryption service. Third-party encryption (like Secure Titan’s Encrypt Titan) sits on top of Microsoft 365 and enforces policies (e.g. based on keywords, attachments, or sender) to automatically encrypt messages. These solutions often support multiple delivery methods: for example, Encrypt Titan will attempt Regulatory compliant TLS (if the recipient server supports higher cipher tLS), and if that fails it falls back automatically to other delivery methods available to encrypt titan recipients. This ensures recipients can always read the message, even on non-Microsoft systems. In short, a purpose-built email encryption tool can fill the gaps left by Microsoft’s native options.
Choosing an Email Encryption Solution
When selecting a solution, MSPs should look for ease of deployment, multi-tenancy, and branding options. Many providers target MSPs: for example, Secure Titan markets EncryptTitan as a “turnkey, MSP-ready email encryption platform” that is easy to deploy, brand, and bill. Key features to consider include:
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- Transparent encryption triggers. Does the system automatically encrypt based on policies (keywords, compliance labels, sender/recipient domains)? EncryptTitan, for example, integrates a Microsoft Outlook add-in and lets administrators define rules so that sensitive content is caught automatically.
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- Flexible delivery methods. Can non-technical recipients decrypt without hassle? Secure Titan’s platform by default will attempt to deliver encrypted messages so that the recipient receives the message in their inbox, just like a regular email, while a tagline in the body of the message lets the recipient know the email was sent securely. If secure portal storage is a requirement, we utilize an “Easy-Secure” web portal with one-click, “passwordless” access or 2FA if enabled.
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- Compliance reporting and management. Look for audit logs and DLP integration. The best solutions (like EncryptTitan) keep records of all encrypted messages.
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- Branding/white-labeling. MSPs often prefer to brand the user experience. With Secure Titan you can white-label the portal and notification emails, making the service appear as part of your offerings.
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- Price and licensing flexibility. See below for pricing ideas, but ensure the per-seat cost fits your margin targets.
Example – Secure Titan’s Encrypt Titan email encryption service:
This cloud-based service called the MSP Partner Program designed and provides the features above. It offers keyword and attachment scanning, an Outlook plugin, multiple delivery modes (TLS-verify or portal), and full compliance support. Encrypt Titan’s pricing is about $1.00 per user per month, which is very competitive (Barracuda’s similar service is around $5, Proofpoint ~$3–6). Most MSPs bundle encrypt titan with other cyber security offerings to create a full best-of-breed cyber security package . Ultimately, choosing a vendor like Secure Titan can give you an MSP-friendly turnkey solution to recommend to clients.
Onboarding Clients to Email Encryption
To avoid pushback, weave encryption deployment into your standard onboarding workflow. SecureTitan emphasizes: “Don’t wait for a breach… make email encryption part of every client onboarding.” A typical process might include:
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- Assess and Plan: Review the client’s industry and compliance needs. Identify what types of data (PHI, financials, customer data) should be encrypted under policy.
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- Deploy the Solution: Set up the encryption platform in the client’s Microsoft 365 tenant. this often involves configuring an Exchange mail-flow connector or similar integration. Define transport rules or DLP policies that trigger encryption based on keywords, attachment types, or specific sender/recipient domains. our PowerShell Deployment Wizard fully automates this process, making it simple and quick.
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- Configure Delivery: Ensure the chosen solution can send encrypted emails out-of-band to external recipients. For example, configure TLS certificates properly and test the fallback portal method. keep in mind all TLS version are not compliant. regulatory approved tLS (i.e. HIPAA) uses higher ciphers. secure titan removes the risk of sending non-compliant emails using our “tLS-verify” method of delivery.
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- Create Encryption Policies: Work with the client to determine which communications must always be encrypted (invoices, contracts, patient info, etc.) and which can remain normal. Document these rules so everyone knows when encryption is mandatory. Using our industry policy groups, you can easily assign core polices to a client based on their industry.
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- Train End Users: Include encryption training in your onboarding. Explain when and how to use encryption (e.g. by outlook plugin, keyword or letting the system auto-encrypt). Offer quick reference guides or a FAQ. This step is crucial – even the best technology is useless if users don’t apply it. use our knowledge based articles to customize a training guide for your client.
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- Test and Support: Send test encrypted emails to various mailboxes (internal and external) and ensure recipients can open them without trouble. Provide a support channel for recipients who need assistance accessing an encrypted message. secure Titan offers level 1 support to recipients at no cost.
Monitor and Adjust: After launch, review logs and user feedback. Adjust policies if needed (e.g. add or remove keywords, change portal settings). Periodically revisit the onboarding checklist with new hires or admins so encryption stays enabled.
Pricing and Packaging Strategies
As a subscription service, email encryption is ideal for predictable per-user billing. Many MSPs simply add the cost to their monthly management fee or bill it as a separate line item. For example, Securetitan’s Encrypt Titan is about $1/user/month. You could charge clients this directly or bundle it into a flat “Security Add-On” fee. Secure Titan suggests keeping pricing simple and per-seat: “Bundle it… and price it per-user for predictable margins.”
Consider these tactics:
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- Mark up or bundle: License costs can often be marked up significantly depending on your market. Some MSPs absorb the license cost and simply increase the overall per-user fee for a managed M365 plan. Others list encryption as its own item, which can make the value more visible.
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- Include in compliance packages: If you sell compliance or industry-specific bundles (e.g. a “HIPAA Mail Security Package”), encryption can be a featured component. Clients in regulated fields often expect to pay more for compliance assurance.
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- Volume discounts: If a large client needs hundreds of seats, negotiate with the vendor for a discount, then pass on a portion of the savings. Alternatively, if a client has both M365 seats and needs encryption, see if you can sweeten the deal with a combined package.
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- Free trials / Proof of value: To close deals, offer an initial trial period or proof-of-concept. Demonstrating that encryption solves a specific client problem (e.g. sending HIPAA-covered emails to a partner) helps justify the cost.
Overall, frame encryption as a value-added service rather than a commodity. A small per-user fee can protect against multi-million-dollar breaches – an easy sell to risk-aware clients.
Marketing the Encryption Service
When pitching clients, focus on real-world scenarios and peace of mind. Ask questions like “What if someone accidentally sends a tax form to the wrong address?” or “How do you prove to a regulator that you protected sensitive messages end-to-end?” These scenarios make the need concrete. Highlight that encryption is not just a tech feature but a compliance and trust-builder. Explain that offering encrypted email means their company can assure customers “privacy matters” – which in turn builds brand trust and retention.
Also emphasize ease: good encryption solutions can be nearly transparent to the user. Point out that once set up, employees don’t have to remember complex steps; the system auto-encrypts critical emails. Finally, promote encryption as a recurring subscription (SaaS) that comes with professional support. This turns a security necessity into a service you manage, strengthening your ongoing relationship.
Conclusion
Bundling email encryption with Microsoft 365 is a smart, timely service for MSPs. It addresses urgent pain points (data leaks, compliance fines) with minimal friction and adds profitable MRR. Encryption is now a “minimum requirement” in today’s regulated and connected business world. By offering a turnkey solution (like Encrypt Titan from Secure Titan) and integrating it seamlessly into your onboarding, you protect clients’ data and differentiate your MSP.
In the end, the solution to email security is simple: don’t wait for a breach. Lead with encryption to solve clients’ problems before they happen, and watch trust and revenue grow together.