An employee needs to transmit sensitive client data to a colleague at another branch. Out of the following methods, which is the MOST secure for preventing unauthorized access during transmission?
Use digital signatures and encrypt the email using end-to-end encryption methods like PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) or S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions).
Send the email only when connected to a secure, trusted wireless network.
Trust the security provided by the email service provider's standard encryption protocols in place.
Place the sensitive data in a password-protected ZIP file before emailing it to the colleague.
The use of digital signatures and encryption is vital in safeguarding sensitive information sent via email. Digital signatures verify the sender's identity, while encryption, such as PGP or S/MIME, ensures the content can only be decrypted by the intended recipient. Sharing only over secure networks adds a layer of security but does not protect the email's contents if intercepted. A password-protected ZIP file can be cracked with sufficient time and resources, making this option less secure than end-to-end encryption. Simply trusting the email service provider's security without additional measures does not adequately protect data in transit.
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