Communications
OpenPGP Encryption
Feature Summary
The OpenPGP Encryption feature in GSatTrack enables secure communication by encrypting alert messages sent from the tracking portal to email contacts. This ensures that sensitive information remains confidential and is only accessible to authorized recipients.
Overview
OpenPGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is a widely used encryption standard that allows users to encrypt and sign messages, providing a layer of security for electronic communications. The GSatTrack tracking portal supports OpenPGP, allowing asset managers to protect alert messages sent to their contacts via email. By utilizing OpenPGP, users can ensure that only intended recipients can read the messages, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access.
How to Use
Set Up OpenPGP on Your Computer and Mail Client:
Follow these guides to set up OpenPGP with Mozilla Thunderbird:
Configure OpenPGP with the Portal:
Ensure the portal is configured for encryption. If the OpenPGP key field is not visible in the Contacts details, please contact GSatTrack support.
Input the Contact’s OpenPGP Public Key (ASCII armored) into the portal:
Export Your Public Key from Kleopatra:
Open Kleopatra, select your certificate from the “My Certificates” list, and click the “Export Certificates” button.
Save the .asc certificate file to an easily accessible location.
Open the .asc certificate file with a text editor (e.g., Notepad).
Assign Your Public Key to the Email Contact:
- Log in to the portal and navigate to the Alerts -> Contacts section.
- At the bottom of the Create/Edit Contact form, find the field for the OpenPGP Public Key for the contact.
- Paste the contents of your .asc file into this field.
Add the Portal's OpenPGP Public Key to Your Keyring:
- Download the OpenPGP Public Key for the portal from the Create/Edit Contact form.
- Save the .asc certificate file to an easily accessible location.
- In Kleopatra, click the “Import Certificates” button and import the .asc file you downloaded from the portal.
Trusting the Sender’s Key:
- When viewing a decrypted message in Thunderbird, click the "Details" dropdown and choose “Set Owner’s Trust of Sender’s Key…” and select “I trust ultimately.”
Additional Information
The GSatTrack tracking portal fully supports OpenPGP, allowing for the encryption of alert messages sent to email contacts. To successfully implement OpenPGP, users must set up the encryption on their computer and mail client, ensuring compatibility with the portal.
For OpenPGP to function correctly with a contact’s mail client, the following steps must be completed:
- The portal must be properly configured for encryption.
- The contact’s OpenPGP Public Key must be entered into the portal.
- Users need to export their public key from Kleopatra and assign it to their email contacts in the portal.
Additionally, it is recommended to add the portal's OpenPGP Public Key to your keyring in order to verify email signatures, enhancing the security of your communications.
Key Features
- Secure Communication: Encrypt alert messages to protect sensitive information.
- Public Key Infrastructure: Utilize public keys for secure message encryption and signing.
- User-Friendly Integration: Seamlessly integrate OpenPGP with existing email clients like Thunderbird.
- Trust Management: Manage trust levels for public keys to enhance security.
Use Cases
- Confidential Alerts: Use OpenPGP to send sensitive alerts to contacts, ensuring that only intended recipients can read them.
- Secure Asset Management: Protect communication related to asset management activities, safeguarding against unauthorized access.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meet industry standards for data protection and privacy by utilizing encryption methods for sensitive communications.
- Enhanced Trust: By implementing OpenPGP, organizations can establish a secure communication channel, fostering trust among clients and stakeholders.