How we use email encryption

What is email encryption?

Email encryption is an authentication process that we use to prevent unintended or unauthorised individuals from reading emails that we send to you. Email encryption scrambles or distorts the original email, converting it into an unreadable format. Email encryption is particularly important if we’re discussing a sensitive topic by email such as your personal details and those of your dependants, your medical records, or your payment details.

When does William Russell use email encryption?

If we’re sending an email that contains sensitive data (e.g., medical information, information about your premiums), we’ll use encryption to protect the contents of the email. We use a company called Egress for our email encryption services.

How does email encryption work?

When we send you an email with encryption, we secure the email with a randomised sequence of letters and numerical characters. This sequence is known as the ‘key’. If anyone intercepts the email without the key, the contents of the email will be unintelligible. Only the intended recipient, also in possession of the key, will be able to decrypt the email and read its contents.

What happens if I receive an encrypted email?

There are two types of encrypted email:

1. One-click encryption emails contain a link to the Egress platform, where you’ll be able to read the contents of the email and reply to the email.
2. Fully encrypted emails contain a link to the Egress platform, where you’ll need to create a personal Egress account to read the contents of the email and reply. You can use your personal account for any future encrypted emails that we send you.

What should I do if I have questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about emails you receive from William Russell (or purport to be from William Russell), you can email us on a separate message thread at contact@william-russell.com.