Encryption’s New Reality: How Flexibility Is Redefining Secure Communication

Customer Experience    | February 11, 2025

As traditional methods fall short, businesses are rethinking how to balance strong security with modern communication needs.

For years, the goal of encryption has been straightforward: secure communication. But as businesses and individuals adopt a growing array of tools—email, messaging apps, collaboration platforms—the traditional methods of locking down data are falling short. The issue is no longer just about securing information; it’s about how people work and communicate. And rigid encryption systems, once seen as the gold standard, are increasingly out of sync with modern needs.

Take email encryption protocols like S/MIME or PGP. On paper, they promise strong protections. In practice, they often fail due to complexity or lack of adoption. Meanwhile, the rise of modern messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Slack brings new challenges: accessibility paired with vulnerabilities.

Companies are now grappling with the question; how do you balance airtight security with the flexibility users demand?

The Friction of One-Size-Fits-All

The way people work today is as varied as the tools they use. Executives in New York rely on emails for formal communication, while doctors in Latin America turn to WhatsApp for its immediacy. But these tools create a dilemma for companies trying to maintain security and compliance.

At major financial institutions, for example, email remains a cornerstone of communication, but it cannot meet all needs in an era of hybrid workflows. Teams face legal risks, challenges in bridging the gap between formal email and casual chats and increasing pressure to integrate security seamlessly across platforms. The growing tension is clear: rigid encryption systems don’t work anymore.

Even the most secure methods can cause friction. They push users into cumbersome workflows—forcing a healthcare provider, for instance, to abandon WhatsApp for a less user-friendly alternative—or create compliance headaches when employees bypass these systems to stick with what they know and trust.

The Shift to Secure Flexibility

Companies are being forced to rethink their approach. Instead of imposing restrictive solutions, forward-thinking organizations are turning to more adaptable encryption tools. These allow secure communication to flow through the platforms people already use—whether that’s a mobile-first messaging app, or email.

Multinational corporations and regional healthcare providers alike are discovering the importance of meeting users where they are. Some even report being surprised by how modern encryption tools can integrate seamlessly into existing workflows.

“We had no idea encryption could do this,” customers say after seeing how secure messaging can adapt to their needs.

This shift isn’t just about convenience. It’s about scalability. Regional communication habits, legal policies, and generational preferences all influence how people interact. A one-size-fits-all approach isn’t just impractical—it’s impossible.

The High Stakes of Modern Security

The stakes are growing higher. As businesses expand across geographies and industries, the cost of failing to secure communication effectively can be steep: legal penalties, reputational damage, and lost customer trust.

In fact, a recent study by the U.S. National Cyber Security Alliance found that 60% of small businesses close within six months of a cyberattack. Similarly, enterprises face significant risks, with the average cost of a data breach for large corporations reaching $4.65 million in 2024, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report.

And yet, the solution isn’t to double down on rigid systems. Instead, companies should focus on flexibility. Adaptable encryption tools can deliver secure messages in multiple ways: through email, secure PDFs, dedicated portals, or API integrations. These options give users the freedom to communicate while maintaining compliance and control.

The organizations that thrive in this new era of secure communication will be those that prioritize usability alongside security. It’s no longer enough to lock data down. Businesses must empower users to work securely, no matter where or how they communicate.

The Bottom Line

Encryption is evolving, and so must businesses. The future of secure communication isn’t about forcing users into narrow workflows. It’s about adaptability—building tools that meet people where they are without compromising on protection.

Think you know encryption? Think again.

The companies that embrace flexibility in secure messaging will be the ones to lead in this rapidly changing landscape.