How to encrypt emails on Microsoft Business standard

Also, the picture above suggests business standard does include Microsoft purview message encryption - so how do I activate/use this? I don't really understand why I cannot already use it - that's why I am reaching out for help

Thank you. However, you say 'to access Microsoft basic message encryption, you must add Azure Information Protection Plan 1 to your Microsoft 365 Business Standard subscription' - but I believe the Azure information protection plan 1 has been retired so this is old information?

I don't really want to have to pay even more when I'm already paying for business standard - is there any equivalent add on I can use now (in place of of azure protection plan 1) that is cheaper than having to buy an enterprise subscription and will let me encrypt emails?

Dear Emma4444

Good day, and thanks for reply back to us. Plese take my sincere apology for the information I previously provided.

After extensive search and reviewing the details again we regret to inform the encryption feature is not available for Business standard license.

Basically, to enable or add e-mail encryption in your tenant, you need to have Micrsoft 365 Enterprise subscription (such as Microsoft 365 E3/E5 & Office 365 E3/E5). However, to access Microsoft basic message encryption, you must add Azure Information Protection Plan 1 to your Microsoft 365 Business Standard subscription. You can refer to the screenshot below and Exchange Online service description - Service Descriptions | Microsoft Learn

Also, the option i had shared earlier also required valid and eligible license.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you very much for your valuable time and your cooperation.

Sincerely

Shajia Afrin | Community Moderator

Hi,

Thank you for your fast reply.

So I have tried on both the new Outlook and the classic - neither work.

I do not seem to have that encrypt button on either (that you have screenshot above) - instead I have to go to options - 'more options' - and then I have the option to encrypt with S/MIME (this is in new Outlook). However, when I choose this option it says that whoever I might try to send it to, does not have a valid certificate. When I use the classic option I cannot seem to find any encrypt options at all.

I can see from your response that you are suggesting I do not use S/MIME encryption - but IRM instead. However, I still cannot seem to access this - do you have any further suggestions at how I might do this? why might the encrypt button not be present for me?

One question I do also have from your response is whether Business Standard includes office 365 enterprise? if not, then I do not have enterprise, which your message suggests I need. In which case, are you telling me I cannot encrypt emails on Microsoft 365 Business standard?

Hello Emma4444

Good morning to you and thank you for your post in the Microsoft community.

I read your thread and got some background information from your scenario. After conducting some research, I found that encrypt emails on Microsoft business standard is possible

Before suggesting you some troubleshooting steps may I know which outlook version currently, you're using? is that classic outlook or new outlook?

For new outlook please follow the bellow:

Encrypt a message with Microsoft Purview Message Encryption in new Outlook​​​​​​​ Send S/MIME and Microsoft Purview encrypted emails in Outlook - Microsoft Support

Microsoft Purview Message Encryption with IRM protection should not be applied to a message that is already signed or encrypted using S/MIME. Instead, to apply IRM protection, S/MIME signature and encryption must be removed from the message (see above). The same applies for IRM-protected messages; you should not sign or encrypt them using S/MIME.

**Note:**​​​​​​​New Outlook supports Microsoft 365 Message Encryption as long as your email server has an Office 365 Enterprise E3 license. If not, you can encrypt messages using S/MIME.

1. In an email message, choose Options, and then select Encrypt.
2. Pick the encryption that has the restrictions you want to enforce, such as Encrypt or Do Not Forward.
   
3. Finish composing your email and then select Send.

If you have any Update or I misunderstood, you please feel free to let me know. I will continue to assist you. Your understanding and co-operation are highly appreciated.

Thanks for your precious time. Have a nice day！

Sincerely

Shajia Afrin | Community Moderator