The email2 Private Email Network platform (or PEN) is like a gated community for email. The PEN acts as central location for all email2 traffic on a specific network. PENs can be restricted to highly defined user groups, company wide, or they can be public and usable by anyone.
Whenever someone sends an email2 message, they send it using a specific PEN. The message itself is passed over a secure SSL connection to the PEN's centralized, secure message storage location. When an authorized recipient retrieves the message, it is sent across an SSL connection to the recipient. This model allows email2 to bypass the basic email protocols entirely, which are less powerful and less secure.
Users can be a member of however many PENs they would like, and can select the appropriate PEN for each situation. For example, a user may belong to different PENs for his or her bank, company and personal correspondence. An question for a financial advisor may be sent using the bank PEN, but an email to a coworker might better be served by the company PEN.
//Edited: July 2008