Secure emails

We take security of your data very seriously. Preston City Council, and some Lancaster City Council services, limited to National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR), Council Tax, Fraud and Benefits services currently use Egress Switch to communicate securely via email.

From January 2024 the service we use for secure email is changing. We will begin to use Zivver to securely send personal and sensitive information.

Using Zivver we can guarantee that we send sensitive information using the latest security and that no one but you can read the contents of the email.

If we need to email you with any information that we consider confidential then there are a few extra steps you will need to take to open the email. 

It is free and simple to use when receiving and replying to emails from us.

Accessing a secure email from us

If you receive an email from us via Zivver, you can open this message by selecting the blue link that says 'Click for message'.

When you do, the secure Zivver environment will automatically open. To access the message, you have to insert an access code or an SMS code.

Additional information and support about how to read a secure message is available on Zivver's help page or watch a video of Zivver in action.

Opening a message with an access code

You have received a secure message.

The person sending you this message wants to be certain that only you can read it. That is why the sender has given you an access code via regular email, by phone, or in person.

Select 'Click for message' and place the access code into the device. You can now read the message.

If you haven't received an access code, please contact the sender.

Opening a message with an SMS code

You have received a message that is secured with an SMS code.

The person sending you this message wants to be certain that only you can read it. Select 'Click for message' and then choose 'Send SMS'.

Insert the code that you have received on your phone.

You can now read the message.

Want to respond to an email that was sent via Zivver?

If you want to reply to an email message that was sent via Zivver, you can select 'Reply' on the web page where you are reading the message.

You can type your message in the text window. You can also add attachments if needed using the 'Add attachments' (paper clip) button. Select 'Send' to reply to the message. When the recipient of your message responds, you will receive another notification message.

In contact with us regularly via email?

If you are emailing the Council regularly with information that should stay confidential, you can create a free Zivver account by following the prompts on your email. This will require a few checks to set up the account, but you can log in easily to see your messages.

Inform us of changes in your email address and phone number!

It is very important that you immediately inform us of changes in your email address or mobile phone number. That way, we can keep communicating securely with you. Please inform your contact within the Counci lwhen such changes occur.

More about Zivver

Zivver allows you to send emails and exchange files securely.

Zivver encrypts messages with sensitive content, such as personal data, files, reports, or other information you want to send securely. If you send a message via Zivver, it is guaranteed to be safe. This means that no one but the sender and the recipient have access to the message. Not even hackers.

Additionally, Zivver uses smart technologies to prevent users from sending sensitive information to the wrong recipient.

Preston City Council is committed to compliance with Data Protection legislation. Keeping your personal information accurate and secure is a vital part of providing efficient services to you. We do this inline with the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679.

For more information visit our Privacy Notice and / or our Data protection policy statement.      

The use of Zivver adds a layer of security to the information contained within any email communication you have with the Council.  Your rights under data protection law are not impacted by the use of Zivver. 

If you have any concerns about how the Council is handling your personal data, these can be raised with the Council's Data Protection Officer:

• In writing - Preston City Council, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RL
• Telephone - 01772 906900
• Email  - info@preston.gov.uk.