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To encrypt files in transit, use a digital signature

Thursday, September 24, 2009


UW-Madison’s new encryption policy calls on faculty and staff to safeguard sensitive information that they are storing on personal-use computers. But what about securing that data if it’s being transmitted in an email message?

For that, use a digital certificate to certify the authenticity of your messages and documents and to encrypt your email. To obtain a free digital certificate (contact your department’s IT support person before installing software on your computer):

  1. Go to the DoIT Tech Store at 1210 W. Dayton St. Show your UW ID card to any staff member there and ask for a digital certificate.
  2. You will soon receive an invitation email from DoIT. Click the link in the message, download the file, and install your digital certificate. The file includes instructions for configuring your email client to affix your digital signature to outgoing email.

You can use your digital certificate to encrypt outgoing email messages. Just set your email client to encrypt automatically or at the click of a button. Be sure to exchange digitally signed emails with your correspondent, who also must have a digital certificate (to provide information needed to decrypt the messages).

For details, see www.cio.wisc.edu/security/digitalCert or contact pki@doit.wisc.edu Someone from DoIT can help you set up your digital certificate.