Email Security

​Dakota County uses Barracuda to secure emails. This software allows Dakota County staff to initiate encrypted email conversations with non-county recipients.  We can share sensitive information in a secure format, only accessible to the person for who it is intended.

To ensure security of your data, opening an encrypted email requires a few additional steps for the recipient.

Receiving an encrypted message from Dakota County

If you are the recipient of an encrypted email you will receive an email from noreply@barracuda.com with the subject “You have a new encrypted message from user@co.dakota.mn.us."​

Step 1: Click on the link in yo​ur email notification

Step 2: A browser window will open the Barracuda Message Center. You will be asked to either create a password or enter an existing password. This password will expire every 90 days.

If you forget your password,  use the self-service Reset or Change Password option on the login screen. You will be prompted to enter your email address, and you will receive an email with a link to update your message center password.

Step 3: Once you are logged into the message portal, you can view the email and reply to the original sender or delete the message.​

Step 4: To add an attachment to a reply message:

1. Click Choose File and locate the file from your computer
2. Click Add to upload the file to the message
3. Click Send when you're finished composing your message.

Repeat steps A & B for each attachment.

Step 5: To securely close the message portal, click Log Off in the u​pper right corner of your screen.​

​T​ips

• Only the original email recipients will be able to open the encrypted email.
• Secure messages expire after 30 days.