Can Interoperability End the Communication Chaos in Modern Businesses?

Encryption Features    | March 18, 2025

For many businesses, seamless communication is the glue that holds everything together. But what happens when the tools meant to facilitate that communication don’t play nice with one another? The result is chaos: missed deadlines, frustrated teams, and growing security risks.

Take Linda Tran, for example, an IT manager for a mid-sized manufacturing company in Ontario. She describes her typical workweek as a “constant firefight” due to incompatible systems. “Our team uses one encrypted email platform, but our vendors rely on something completely different,” she explains. “Half the time, secure messages don’t even get delivered, and we’re left scrambling to follow up through less secure channels.”

Situations like Linda’s aren’t uncommon. In fact, they’re becoming the norm as businesses rely on increasingly diverse tools to get the job done. And while these tools promise efficiency, when they can’t communicate with each other, they end up creating more problems than they solve.

Could interoperability be the answer?

What Is Interoperability and Why Does It Matter?

Interoperability is a buzzword you’ve probably heard before, but what does it actually mean? Simply put, it’s the ability of different systems to share information seamlessly. In the realm of email encryption, for example, interoperability ensures secure messages move smoothly across platforms and organizations.

But that’s not the reality for many businesses today. Instead, they face a patchwork of systems that don’t talk to each other, leading to higher IT costs, frustration, and even security vulnerabilities.

“Every time we onboard a new partner or client, we encounter compatibility issues,” says David Singh, head of operations for a Vancouver-based consultancy. “The amount of time we spend troubleshooting encrypted emails is ridiculous. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s damaging our credibility.”

The stakes are high. An Accenture study found that companies with highly interoperable systems grow revenue six times faster than those without. The message is clear: businesses that continue to tolerate clunky, incompatible tools risk falling behind in both productivity and trust.

The Hidden Costs of “Good Enough” Systems

When it comes to secure communication, many companies settle for solutions that are “good enough.” But the cracks in this approach are widening, and the consequences are hard to ignore.

1. Zero Trust Frameworks Are Falling Short

Zero Trust security models—where every interaction is verified, no matter the source—are increasingly popular. However, they rely on seamless communication to work effectively. When encrypted emails can’t move between systems, the entire framework falls apart.

According to cybersecurity analyst Maria Lopez, “Zero Trust is only as strong as the weakest link in your communication chain. If your email encryption tools don’t integrate well internally and externally, you’re opening yourself up to significant risk.”

2. Collaboration Feels Like a Chore

Imagine this: your team uses Outlook, your partners use Gmail, and your vendors rely on niche software. Without interoperable tools, even a simple encrypted email becomes an obstacle. As Singh from Vancouver points out, “Cross-platform compatibility isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity for any kind of collaboration.”

3. IT Teams Are Stretched Thin

For IT departments, lack of interoperability means constant firefighting. Instead of focusing on innovation, they’re stuck resolving compatibility issues. “We’re so focused on fixing problems that we have no time to think strategically,” says Tran. “It’s exhausting.”

4. Trust Is Eroding

Trust may be intangible, but it’s critical in business relationships. Clunky, unreliable systems make it harder to build. “When an encrypted email fails to reach a government agency or client, it’s not just a technical glitch—it’s a breach of trust,” Lopez explains.

The Obstacles to True Interoperability

If interoperability is so important, why aren’t more businesses achieving it? The challenges are significant. Encryption protocols like S/MIME and PGP often don’t work well together, and vendor lock-in traps companies in proprietary systems.

Regulatory pressures like GDPR and HIPAA further complicate things. Businesses need to ensure compliance while navigating an already complex tech landscape. And the cost of doing nothing? Even higher.

How Businesses Can Build Interoperable Systems

Achieving interoperability isn’t a quick fix—it requires deliberate effort. Here are some steps businesses can take:

• Adopt Open Standards: Protocols like TLS and S/MIME improve compatibility and reduce friction.
• Demand More from Vendors: Push back against proprietary systems that create silos.
• Leverage Advanced Tools: AI and APIs can help fill compatibility gaps and streamline workflows.
• Invest in Training: Equip your teams with the knowledge to integrate tools effectively.

The transition may require time and resources, but the benefits—improved efficiency, stronger security, and better collaboration—are well worth it.

The Bigger Picture: Why Interoperability Matters

Interoperability isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a foundation for trust and progress. In a world where digital communication is critical, silos and inefficiencies are more than just inconveniences. They’re risks.

As Singh puts it, “Interoperability isn’t a nice-to-have anymore. It’s the difference between staying competitive and falling behind.”

Over the coming weeks, we’ll dive deeper into the tools and strategies businesses can use to integrate email encryption and achieve true interoperability. Because when it comes to secure communication, “good enough” simply isn’t good enough anymore.

READ MORE: Encryption Features