Microsoft to Enhance New Outlook for Windows with S/MIME Support for Secure Email Communication

Microsoft is adding fundamental Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) support for primary accounts to the new Outlook for Windows. This feature will allow users to securely send and receive digitally signed and encrypted emails.

What is S/MIME?

Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) is a popular protocol that is used to enhance the security of email communications. It provides two key features called encryption and digital signatures. Encryption helps protect an email’s contents to ensure that only the intended recipient can read it. Digital signatures also help to confirm the sender’s identity and ensure that the email hasn’t been altered during transmission.

S/MIME uses public key cryptography to boost the security of email communication. This protocol is built into all popular email clients, allowing users to send and receive secure emails.

Previously, this feature was available only on the Outlook web app, and Microsoft is now bringing S/MIME support to the new Outlook for Windows. With this update, users will be able to send and read signed and encrypted emails directly within the new Outlook for Windows. This new option is accessible via Options > More Options.

“If your organization is currently using S/MIME, you will soon see controls to apply S/MIME encryption when signing into new Outlook. Similarly, you will be able to verify, sign, decrypt, and reply to S/MIME emails,” the company explained on the Microsoft 365 admin center.

What you need to do to prepare for this change?

Microsoft says that both new and existing S/MIME configurations will work without requiring administrators to make any additional changes. Users who already have S/MIME certificates installed on their computers or stored on a Smart Card will be able to use this new feature in the new Outlook for Windows client.

Microsoft plans to roll out this new feature to all commercial customers later this month. However, this change will not impact organizations that are not using the new Outlook for Windows.