S/MIME
S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a standard for public key encryption and digital signing of MIME data, primarily used to secure email communications. It provides end-to-end encryption, authentication, and integrity for email messages, ensuring that only intended recipients can read the content and verifying the sender's identity. S/MIME is widely supported by email clients and servers, making it a key technology for secure business and personal email exchanges.
Developers should learn and use S/MIME when building or integrating email systems that require high security, such as in healthcare, finance, or government applications where sensitive data must be protected. It is essential for implementing features like encrypted email delivery, digital signatures to prevent tampering, and compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA that mandate data privacy. Use cases include secure email clients, automated email notifications with encryption, and systems that handle confidential communications.