Outlook vs ShieldBox
for Financial Services
in Australia
Financial advisers, accountants, and APRA-regulated entities need email that satisfies ASIC record-keeping and APRA CPS 234 obligations. See why Australian financial services businesses are switching from Outlook to ShieldBox.
Microsoft 365 / Outlook is enterprise-grade but not ASD Essential Eight aligned for Australian government email. APS agencies and regulated businesses cannot use it for OFFICIAL: Sensitive communications. CLOUD Act exposure remains even with Australian data residency options.
Key Risks for Financial Services
Using Outlook
Compliance Obligations for Financial Services
Why Outlook cannot satisfy the compliance requirements of Australian financial services.
AFSL holders must retain accessible records of all financial services correspondence for 7 years. Outlook's offshore storage complicates ASIC record production and creates APP 8 exposure.
APRA-regulated entities must maintain board-level oversight of information security. Outlook is not ASD Essential Eight aligned and cannot satisfy APRA CPS 234 requirements for regulated entities.
Every email containing client financial information sent via Outlook is an ongoing APP 8 cross-border disclosure. Australian hosting is the only complete solution.
Financial services is the second-highest NDB reporting sector. Outlook does not provide the breach detection and 30-day OAIC notification workflow that Australian financial services businesses need.
Why ShieldBox Wins for Financial Services
ShieldBox is the only email platform that satisfies ASIC RG 7, APRA CPS 234, and Privacy Act 1988 obligations for Australian financial services businesses — with ISO 27001 certification and ASD Essential Eight alignment.
Outlook vs ShieldBox for Financial Services — FAQs
Does Outlook satisfy ASIC RG 7 record-keeping requirements?
No. ASIC RG 7 requires AFSL holders to retain accessible records of all financial services correspondence for 7 years. Outlook's offshore storage complicates ASIC record production and creates APP 8 exposure. ShieldBox's 7-year tamper-proof Australian-hosted archive satisfies ASIC RG 7 requirements.
Is Outlook compliant with APRA CPS 234?
No. APRA CPS 234 requires APRA-regulated entities to maintain board-level oversight of information security including email systems. Outlook is not ASD Essential Eight aligned and cannot satisfy APRA CPS 234 requirements. ShieldBox holds ISO 27001 certification and is built to ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2.
Can I use Outlook for my Australian financial advisory practice?
No. Outlook stores email on USA servers, creating ongoing APP 8 cross-border disclosure obligations for every client email containing personal or financial information. ASIC RG 7 and APRA CPS 234 requirements cannot be satisfied with offshore email.
Why are Australian financial services businesses switching from Outlook to ShieldBox?
Australian financial services businesses are switching from Outlook to ShieldBox to satisfy ASIC RG 7 record-keeping requirements, meet APRA CPS 234 obligations, and eliminate APP 8 cross-border disclosure exposure. ShieldBox is the only email platform built specifically for Australian financial services compliance.
Switch from Outlook to ShieldBox
Start for free — no credit card, no US servers, no CLOUD Act exposure. Built for Australian financial services.