New Email Encryption Tool for Researchers

The Office of Technology and Digital Innovation (OTDI) and the Office of Secure Research (OSR) are implementing a new tool for encrypted research emails. All future encrypted emails will go through Virtru and we will be eventually retiring all R accounts. We will be communicating future dates and changes directly to users.

About the Project

Virtru is an email encryption service provided to researchers of the university who are under research data control restrictions. Users who are not under a data control restriction can encrypt messages to external users through our included university email encryption solution. 

Virtru works with the university-supported email clients Outlook and Outlook Web App. With Virtru, you’re able to send and read encrypted messages and attachments without ever leaving your inbox—and without your recipients downloading any software or creating any passwords. 

Mobile users will need to install Virtru for iOS or Virtru for Android to send and read messages.  

Timeline 

Researchers using an R account and that data they want to retain access to will need to work with their local unit IT and the Office of Secure Research to find alternative storage. R accounts will be retired on April 19, 2024 and users will no longer have access to it. 

Your Role 

Some users will need to address their current data in R accounts. This means moving or erasing all data as it will be inaccessible. If you have data in your R account, please work with your local IT department and the Office of Secure Research to find alternative storage.  

If you manage a student who sends encrypted research emails, there will be an additional step for you to request access for them. 

Once you are added to Virtru, you will need to activate it on all devices that you will send and receive encrypted messages on.  

We will be reaching out via email to all users affected by this change. 

Get Help 

For more information Virtru including job aids, FAQ and getting help, visit the Virtru page on the administrative resource center. 

If you have any trouble accessing or using Virtru please contact the IT Service Desk 24/7 at 614-688-4357 (HELP), Self Service, or servicedesk@osu.edu. 

If you need assistance regarding your data or questions for the Office of Secure Research (OSR), please email OSR at exportcontrol@osu.edu.