Why “Encrypted” Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means

“Don’t worry — it’s encrypted.”

We hear this all the time from SaaS platforms, from contact forms to file upload tools. And to a non-technical audience, it sounds reassuring. It should mean the data is safe. That no one else can read it. That even if the system gets hacked, the hackers get scrambled nonsense.

Except most of the time, it doesn’t mean that at all.

Encryption ≠ Security

Let’s get one thing straight: encryption alone does not mean security.

If you really understood how most companies implement it, you’d be shocked. Imagine locking your front door… and taping the key to the letterbox. Technically, it’s “locked.” Realistically, anyone can walk in.

That’s how most online services “secure” your data today.

Take a recent call one of our sales folks had with a professional services firm. They’re using a popular form tool to collect sensitive client data — ID scans, bank details, the works. When asked if that’s secure, they said:

“Yeah, it’s encrypted. I just download the files and remember to delete them after.”

Let’s break that down.

So What Is End-to-End Encryption?

Think of sending a message as locking something in a safe.

With end-to-end encryption, your client locks their data in a digital safe before it leaves their device — and only you hold the key to open it. Nobody else. Not the platform. Not the network. Not even us.

Most tools out there? They don’t do that. Instead, they say:

“Sure, we’ll encrypt it! Just send us the data, we’ll unlock it on our end, scan it into our system, and maybe lock it again afterwards.”

That’s like letting the courier open your safe at the depot, copy the contents, and then deliver it. It’s better than nothing — but it’s not privacy.

True E2EE means:

• Data is encrypted before it leaves the sender

• Only the intended recipient holds the key

• No one in the middle can read it — including the platform itself

If your platform can “recover” your data, guess what?

They have access. And that means so does anyone who compromises them.

Encrypted — but to whose standard?

Yes, most SaaS tools encrypt data in transit (between your browser and their servers) and at rest (in their database). That’s great. That’s table stakes.

But here’s the dirty little secret: they hold the keys. Often, both the public and private keys are stored together — on the same system that holds your files.

That’s like putting a padlock on a box and writing the combo on a Post-it next to it.

If the platform gets hacked — or a rogue employee goes digging — your encrypted data is just sitting there, ready to be opened.

What real encryption looks like

With Key & Box, we take a different path. We separate the keys from the content entirely. Our architecture ensures:

• Data is encrypted in your client’s browser before upload

• Encryption keys are generated per request

• Each key is wrapped for every intended recipient

• Only your vault can decrypt the result — we never see it

It’s like your client locks their passport in a box that only you can open — and they do it before it ever leaves their screen.

No magic admin panel. No “support backdoor.” No excuses.

Quick comparison:

❌ Server-side encryption (what most do): data is readable on arrival

✅ End-to-end encryption (what we do): data is sealed before it leaves

This Isn’t Just Theory — It’s the Root of Real-World Breaches

Still think you’re safe? Let’s talk facts.

LastPass (2022): Hackers stole encrypted password vaults and key material, allowing partial decryption. Why? Because the keys weren’t properly isolated.
Microsoft Exchange (2021): Attackers exploited weak key protection to walk straight into corporate mailboxes.
Uber (2016 & 2022): Secrets and credentials found in repos gave attackers all they needed.

All “encrypted.” All compromised.

Why Do Companies Keep Doing This?

Because it’s easier.

Storing keys and data together makes platforms easier to build, debug, and scale. But it’s like locking your front door and hanging the key on a hook next to it — for convenience.

It’s not just irresponsible. It’s dangerous.

What to Look For in Real Encryption

Not all encryption is created equal. Here's how to spot the real thing:

✅ Is the data encrypted before it leaves the sender’s device?
If it isn’t, someone else has a chance to read it.

✅ Can the platform itself decrypt the data?
If yes, it’s not end-to-end — and not your safest option.

✅ Do you control the keys?
The platform should never hold both the data and the keys. Separation is everything.

✅ Is key access clearly separated per user or recipient?
Shared keys, master keys, or centralised access models are weak points.

✅ Can the provider “recover” your data?
That sounds helpful… until someone else does it without your consent.

If you answered no to any of the above — your “encrypted” solution may just be cosmetic.

Let’s raise the bar

At Key & Box, our standard is simple: if we can read your data, we’ve failed.

We built our system like a crypto wallet for sensitive data — private keys stay with you, and only you. We never have the combo.

No back doors. No “oops” breaches. Just real security.
So next time someone tells you something is “encrypted,” ask: Who holds the keys?
Want to see what real encryption feels like? Try a demo and send your next sensitive file the right way.

Get 14 days free at: https://dashboard.keyandbox.com