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Frequently Asked Questions

Email encryption is a secure method of transmitting information in a way that only an intended recipient is able to read the contents of an email.  This helps to insure the confidentiality and integrity of the email(s) received by the end-user.

Email encryption is an important technical step to ensure confidential and identity information is not stolen by unintended recipients.  By encrypting email this process helps insure the confidentiality and integrity of the email received by the end user.

Since email is only encrypted when it leaves the campus, the capability is only for email accounts outside of UTEP.  This means that if you send from one UTEP address to another UTEP address, the contents of the email will not be encrypted.  However, if you send an email from UTEP to Gmail, for example, the email will be encrypted since it is being transmitted outside of the campus.

The Cisco Registered Envelope Service (CRES) provides a method for authorized recipients to register themselves and set-up a password to use when receiving encrypted email.  This helps guarantee the identity of the recipient in addition to insuring the confidentiality of the email, and helps prevent eavesdropping by unintended recipients.

The email gateway uses signatures and rules to detect confidential information.  While the appliance is state-of-the-art, in a small number of cases, it may not correctly identify information.  This may cause email to be encrypted when it should not have been.  The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é felt the benefits of protecting individuals' information outweighed any inconveniences this may cause.  The email is still accessible when it is encrypted therefore it still allows for the delivery of the information intended for the recipient.

Cisco Registered Envelope Service (CRES) only authenticates the recipient and provides a key to open the email the recipient received.  Cisco does not receive or see any of the information contained in the email transmitted.

You can contact the Information Security office at (915) 747-6324 to see if the keys can be revoked to keep the email from being read.  This may keep the original recipient from opening the email or, alternatively, if they have already opened the email from opening it again.  This process only works for emails to the original recipient. If the original receipient forwarded the email this will not stop those forwarded copies from being read.  For more information, please call the Information Security Office.

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The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso
Information Security Office
Information Security Office
500 W Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é
El Paso, Texas 79902

E: security@utep.edu
P: (915) 747-6324