How Aegon Saved an Estimated 270 Tonnes of CO2 Using Mailock

Life and pensions provider Aegon adopted Mailock secure email in late 2019 to help protect client communications against the growing risk of cybercrime.

They rolled out the solution to securely send sensitive documents and personal information by email, strengthening their digital defences and meeting rising expectations around data privacy and fraud prevention. Digitising those adviser and client communications also reduced reliance on print-and-post paperwork.

Why Secure Email Mattered

As well as data breaches caused by human error, email interception is a real concern. Figures from UK Finance show that authorised push payment fraud cost UK victims hundreds of millions of pounds in 2019.

This type of fraud often involves criminals intercepting genuine emails and tricking recipients into transferring money to the wrong account.

"This initiative is another enhancement designed to help keep advisers and their customers safe. We have a responsibility to protect sensitive data in all our communications, and the launch of the Mailock system adds to the existing system controls we have in place to protect against fraud. The flexibility of the solution means that regardless of whether an adviser is already using it with their clients or it’s their first time, the integration with Unipass Identity makes it an effortless process."

Ronnie Taylor, Chief Distribution Officer, Aegon

The Mailock system uses AES-256 encryption and identity authentication to help senders and recipients verify each other before messages are opened. This gives providers, advisers, and clients the confidence that their information is being shared securely and with the right person.

Exterior view of Aegon offices

Moving those communications online also changed the print and post footprint behind Aegon’s client documents.

Estimated Carbon Savings

Since going live with Mailock, our proprietary carbon calculator estimates Aegon has achieved around 270 tonnes of CO2 savings. The impact assessment tool models those reductions using factors such as paper and envelope size, page counts, print types, delivery distances, and disposal methods, based on the messages Aegon sends through Mailock.

Sending documents digitally removes the need for carbon-intensive processes like paper production, printing, and postal delivery.

Looking To Reduce Paper And Post?

Explore how Mailock can support secure digital delivery when paper reduction, postage costs, or carbon impact are part of the business case.

Explore the carbon use case

That shift can reduce costs, improve security, and lower environmental impact while meeting expectations for instant digital communication.

"This dramatic reduction in the need to print and post important paperwork is one of the key ways that financial services companies can make significant CO2 emission savings by examining their day-to-day operations. Invariably, this will mean digitising processes to create greater efficiency, security, and regulatory compliance, discarding legacy ways of working which are inconsistent with net zero targets."

Ronnie Taylor, Chief Distribution Officer, Aegon

At the COP26 conference in Scotland in 2021, the UK and other nations reaffirmed their commitment to reach net zero by 2050, with a 78% reduction in emissions targeted by 2035.

Aegon’s action on paperless communication demonstrates how the sector can align operations with these goals.

Mailock Across Financial Services

Mailock, a secure email solution widely used across financial services, is delivered by Beyond Encryption in partnership with Origo.

Both organisations are committed to transforming communication in the industry while contributing to the global net zero agenda.

"Tens of thousands of intermediaries are already using the industry solution, with increasing institutional adoption. Aegon’s carbon-saving success demonstrates the considerable impact big corporates can have in a short period of time by digitising their communications."

Paul Holland, CEO, Beyond Encryption

The same secure email capability Aegon rolled out in late 2019 remains central to how Mailock supports financial services firms sending sensitive documents by email.