PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is an encryption standard used to secure data through cryptographic methods. It ensures the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive files and communications by encrypting them with public and private keys. Frequently used in secure email communication and file encryption, PGP is widely adopted in industries that handle sensitive or regulated information, such as finance, healthcare, and legal services.

Frends can integrate with PGP by automating encryption and decryption tasks within workflows. By combining Frends and PGP, organizations can ensure secure data exchange between systems, partners, or customers while maintaining compliance with data security regulations. Frends workflows can include operations like encrypting/decrypting files, key management, and transferring encrypted data seamlessly across systems.

Business use cases

Secure Data Exchange with External Partners

Frends can automate the secure exchange of data with external partners using PGP. For example, when sensitive documents like financial reports are generated, Frends can automatically encrypt the files using the recipient's public PGP key before sending them via email, SFTP, or other secure channels.

File Encryption for Backup or Archival

Organizations can use Frends workflows to encrypt sensitive files before storing them in backup or archival systems. For instance, Frends can automatically encrypt customer records or compliance-related documents with PGP and upload them to a cloud storage solution like Amazon S3 or Azure Blob Storage for secure, long-term storage.

Decrypting Incoming Files

When receiving encrypted files from external partners, Frends can automate the decryption process. For example, Frends can monitor an SFTP folder for new encrypted files and use PGP keys to decrypt them. Once decrypted, the files can be processed or transferred further in the workflow, such as importing the data into an ERP or database system.

Secure Email Communication

For organizations that handle secure communications via email, Frends can integrate PGP encryption into workflows. For instance, Frends can encrypt sensitive email attachments using recipients' public PGP keys before sending emails via Outlook or other email systems. This ensures confidentiality and compliance with communication regulations.

Encryption in Compliance Workflows

In regulated industries like healthcare or finance, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information is critical. Frends can integrate PGP encryption into compliance-related workflows. For example, when generating reports containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Frends can encrypt the files using an organization's PGP standards before transmitting the data for audits or regulatory submission.

Key Management and Distribution

Frends can assist in automating the management and distribution of PGP keys used in secure data exchange. For example, Frends workflows can notify relevant teams whenever key rotations or updates are needed, ensuring that all endpoints remain in sync and eliminating manual errors in key distribution.

Securing Data in Transit

Frends can automate data protection workflows by combining PGP encryption with file transfer protocols such as SFTP or FTPS. For example, a workflow could involve encrypting a financial transaction report with PGP, transferring it securely to a bank’s system over SFTP, and verifying its successful delivery.

Multi-System File Encryption

For hybrid IT environments that involve both on-premises and cloud systems, Frends can automate PGP encryption workflows to ensure secure data movement. For instance, files generated by an on-prem system can be encrypted with PGP and then uploaded to a cloud environment like OneDrive or Dropbox, enabling safe hybrid-cloud operations.

Automating Customer Data Delivery

In industries like eCommerce or logistics, where frequent data exchange with partners is required, Frends can automate PGP encryption to securely deliver customer data. For example, Frends can encrypt daily order or shipment reports with the recipient’s PGP key and transfer the files, ensuring data privacy and integrity during transit.

Multi-Recipient Encryption

Frends can handle workflows where files need to be encrypted for multiple recipients. For example, when sending an encrypted financial statement to stakeholders, Frends can encrypt the file using recipients' multiple public PGP keys, ensuring that each authorized recipient can decrypt the file with their unique private key.

Audit-Ready Secure Data Processing

For businesses requiring an audit trail for secure data handling, Frends can integrate with PGP to log encryption and decryption events. For instance, when files are encrypted or decrypted in a workflow, Frends can log details such as timestamps, file names, and transaction IDs to a secure database for compliance reporting.

Automated Key Expiry Checks

Frends can automate the monitoring of PGP key expiration dates and notify relevant personnel before keys become invalid. For example, Frends workflows can periodically check the expiration dates of stored PGP keys and send automated alerts when keys near their expiration date, ensuring no disruptions in secure transactions.

Secure File Upload Portals

For organizations offering secure file upload portals, Frends can integrate PGP encryption into the backend processing. For example, when a user uploads a document containing sensitive information, Frends can encrypt the file immediately using PGP before storing it in a secure repository, protecting the data from unauthorized access.

Integration with ERP or CRM Systems

Frends can automate the encryption of sensitive reports or customer information before transferring data from systems like SAP, Oracle, or Salesforce. For example, customer contract files could be encrypted through PGP before being exported from the CRM and archived, ensuring compliance with data protection policies.

By incorporating PGP into workflows through Frends, organizations can ensure secure data management and regulatory compliance at every stage of their processes. With its ability to automate encryption tasks and seamlessly connect systems, Frends enhances the effectiveness of PGP operations in reducing manual handling and maintaining strong data security postures.