Data Protection Survey Results Revealed from Zix Corporation and Ponemon Institute

Email Encryption services provider Zix Corporation, in association with Ponemon Institute (News - Alert) has revealed the results of its first study, "The State of Email Encryption."

Ponemon Institute conducts independent research dedicated to advancing responsible information and privacy management practices in business and government. This current study, as indicated, has examined how companies perceived email risks and what factors, if any, drove concerns about data loss and compliance risks.

"Email is essential to business productivity and collaboration. It is such a significant tool that employees are inclined to circumvent policy and email sensitive information, so they can effectively perform their responsibilities in a timely manner," Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of Ponemon Institute said in a press release.

"Companies can prevent such data breaches and relieve compliance concerns by using policy-based email encryption, which enables email capabilities and removes employee liabilities," Ponemon added.

After receiving feedback from 830 IT and IT security practitioners, as well as IT compliance, legal and other specialists, The Ponemon Institute found everyday email practices and mobile email security caused significant concerns for data protection and regulatory compliance. The study revealed 70 percent of respondents are concerned with data loss via mobile email. As a result of this concern and the complexity of email encryption on mobile devices, less than one-third of respondents have ever opened an encrypted email on a mobile device.

"Mobile security adds yet another layer of complexity for security and compliance professionals," said Rick Spurr, chairman and chief executive officer at ZixCorp said in a statement.

"As they manage concerns regarding mobile access to networks, social networks and the latest app, mobile email does not have to be another risk or headache. With new technology, encrypted, mobile email can be as convenient as a single click. As a result, the security community can not only protect data but foster business communication without worry," Spurr added.

Other key findings in “The State of Email Encryption” study are that more than 50 percent of companies with email encryption have had their solution for at least four years; ease of use for senders and receivers was a significant factor in choosing a solution, with 68 percent and 71 percent, respectively, viewing it as important or very important; more than half believed senders and receivers were frustrated with their current solution.

Recently, Zix signed its third, multi-year service agreement with convenience retailer 7-Eleven. Both 7-Eleven and Zix have been working together since 2004.