A set of specifications for securing electronic mail. S/MIME is based upon the widely used MIME standard and describes a protocol for adding cryptographic security services through MIME encapsulation of digitally signed and encrypted objects. The basic security services offered by S/MIME are authentication, non-repudiation of origin, message integrity, and message privacy. Optional security services include signed receipts, security labels, secure mailing lists, and an extended method of identifying the signer's certificate(s). Source: NIST SP 800-49
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A set of specifications for securing electronic mail. S/MIME is based upon the widely used MIME standard and describes a protocol for adding cryptographic security services through MIME encapsulation of digitally signed and encrypted objects. The basic security services offered by S/MIME are authentication, non-repudiation of origin, message integrity, and message privacy. Optional security services include signed receipts, security labels, secure mailing lists, and an extended method of identifying the signer's certificate(s). Source: NIST SP 800-49
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Secure/ Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (s/mime). In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 21, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/secure-multipurpose-internet-mail-extensions-s-mime
Sources
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High consensus
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Multi-source
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