Is Online Faxing More Secure Than Email?

​Electronic mail, or email, was invented in 1971 by Raymond Tomlinson. Due to its ease of use and speed of delivery, email has become one of the most popular forms of business communication, with organisations worldwide using it daily to connect with colleagues, stakeholders, customers, and clients.

While email is a simple and effective way to send information, its security vulnerabilities make sensitive data—such as invoices, loan documents, government data, and patient information—susceptible to breaches if not handled correctly.

This is one reason why the traditional fax machine remains in use. Its peer-to-peer connection makes faxes sent through traditional fax machines nearly impossible to intercept unless an attacker has direct access to the phone line.

However, legacy fax machines are increasingly being replaced by cloud-based faxing solutions due to their reliability, enhanced security, and compliance capabilities.

So, is online faxing more secure than email? Why is email embedded in organisations’ communications despite its vulnerabilities? Let’s explore the security risks of email, why online faxing is more secure, and how organisations can securely send email-to-fax with Broadtec Group.

Email Security Risks
There are several reasons why email is less secure than fax for transmitting sensitive information. From phishing attacks to business email compromise (BEC), sending sensitive data via email carries significant risks.
Lack of Encryption
The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is the foundation of email communication. Unfortunately, authentication and confidentiality were added as afterthoughts, leaving email communications vulnerable to interception. Without additional encryption, email data can be intercepted while in transit, stored unencrypted on mail servers, and remain unprotected on recipient devices.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing involves stealing confidential information by sending fraudulent messages. It is one of the most common cyberattack methods, particularly in industries like government, healthcare, finance, and legal services. Cybercriminals use social engineering to target high-value individuals and execute sophisticated phishing schemes.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a major threat to organisations and governments. As defined by the Australian Cyber Security Centre, ransomware is malicious software that locks files on a device until a ransom is paid.
In 2020, over 60% of Australian organisations experienced ransomware attacks—10% higher than the global average—costing an average of AUD $1.25 million per breach. Employees opening malicious emails or clicking harmful links are common entry points for ransomware.
Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks target organisations by compromising email accounts for financial gain. The Australian Cyber Security Centre’s 2020 annual cyber threat report identified malicious emails as the most common type of cybersecurity incident, a trend expected to continue.
Online Fax Security
Online faxing offers superior security for sensitive information compared to email and legacy fax machines. Broadtec Group ensures encryption and compliance to meet industry standards. Key security measures include:

• Managed firewalls approved for Federal Government use.
• Limited access to Broadtec Group servers with high-security infrastructure standards.
• AES 256-bit encryption for cloud-stored fax documents, including lifetime storage and comprehensive audit trails.
• Real-time document management and automated monthly reporting.
• Government accreditation and HIPAA compliance.

Send Secure Faxes via Email with Broadtec Group
When email is the preferred communication method, organisations can still maintain security by using Broadtec Group's email-to-fax functionality. This feature ensures sensitive data is encrypted and secure, meeting compliance standards.
Email-to-Fax Security Features

• Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption: Automatically encrypts fax documents sent via email-to-fax.
• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption: Available for customers using secure email certificates.
• S/MIME encryption: Offers secure email-to-fax receiving using Broadtec Group’s secure email certificates.
• Auto-delete fax option: Enables automatic deletion of sent or received fax documents, ensuring no data is stored on Broadtec servers.
• True data sovereignty: Ensures all data remains within Australia for additional security.

Start Sending Email-to-Fax with Broadtec Group Today
Looking to securely send faxes via email? Broadtec Group's email-to-fax solution ensures your sensitive data is protected while maintaining the highest compliance standards.
Contact us at 1300 611 525 for a demonstration of our secure platform.
​Visit us at www.broadtec.au to learn more.