How to Use Secure Email
Encrypted messaging (also known as secure messaging) prevents anyone other than you from reading the information we send to you. We use this for your privacy and to prevent identity theft.
Opening Secure Messages from OED
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) now uses Microsoft Office Message Encryption for the secure messages we send to people who file for unemployment insurance benefits.
The security of our messages to you is very important. We try hard to keep your information safe and private. We also want to prevent fraud, such as identity theft.
Microsoft Office Message Encryption provides security and is easy to use.
If you receive an encrypted message from OED, click on the “Read Secure Message” link in the email. This will connect you with the Secure Message Portal.
Then, you will:
- Create a Microsoft account with your email address; or
- Sign in with a one-time passcode sent to your email.
If you forget the one-time passcode, open your email and click on the link again to receive a new passcode. Each passcode is good for 15 minutes after it’s sent.
Learn more about opening secure messages with Microsoft Office Message Encryption.
Accessing Older Messages
If you want to keep copies of items we sent you through encrypted messaging before Aug. 12, 2022, in the previous system we used, Proofpoint Email Encryption, you need to take action.
We transitioned from Proofpoint to Microsoft Office Message Encryption on Aug. 12, 2022. As a result of this change, your access to secure messages stored in Proofpoint will end.
After Oct. 3, 2022, you will no longer be able to access any encrypted messages we sent you before Aug. 12, 2022, because we sent these messages through the previous system, Proofpoint.
If you would like to keep copies of items we sent you through Proofpoint before Aug. 12, we recommend you take the following steps:
- Log in using the link in the secure email and download attachments to any messages we have sent you (such as attachments related to administrative decisions).
- Take screen shots of any messages you would like to save for your own records.
- Please take these steps before Oct. 2, because you will no longer have access after Oct. 3.
If you are unable to save the items we sent you through Proofpoint, you may
contact us for help.
Important: OED will continue to keep records of administrative decisions and other messages, as required by any applicable laws and records-retention policies. We do not keep these types of records indefinitely, so we suggest you save them yourself if you want to keep them long term.