A new technology that allows encrypted e-mails to be read by any recipient, without client software or key sharing, is set for use by Australian banks, healthcare and government departments.
Send Anywhere technology will be presented to customers of secure communications company Clearswift in November as part of an upgrade to Clearswift's Clear Secure software. This follows its announcement Tuesday that it has entered into an OEM agreement with Send Anywhere developer Sigaba Corporation.
Regardless of their technical knowledge or operating system, users begin decrypting a Send Anywhere e-mail by entering their identification number, which might be a customer, position number etc. The key and certificate is then downloaded as the e-mail works as a link between the recipient's computer and the sender's key server. The desired information can then be read.
"An example of how this will be used is the tax office might send you a secure e-mail. The e-mail will then ask you to enter your tax file number to read it. Once this is entered, it downloads the key and certificate from the key server," said Clearswift Asia Pacific managing director Chy Chuawiwat.
"The recipient may then be provided with a secure reply button, which can be set to expire via a time limit, which might be useful for stock brokers offering a client a deal, for instance."
The technology uses 128-bit message encryption and XML-based Security Assertion Markup Language.
Andy Burton, senior vice president, operations. said he believed the new technology could not only prevent loose confidential data, but also replace paper-based systems through its cost savings.
One method of payment for the technology will be on a per message basis. Burton contrasted sending medical lab results via Clear Secure for a 20 cent charge against the expense of a paper-based courier option.
No release date or cost details for the software were available.