Email is a fundamental aspect of professional communication, but it’s also a leading entry point for cyberattacks. About 86% of businesses globally reported experiencing bulk phishing in 2023, making it the most common kind of phishing scam, which occurred through emails.
This constant package of malicious messages, which includes everything from fishing scams to malware-laden attachments, is a huge headache for businesses. In this case, using a powerful defender in place that can identify and block them will be the solution.
Understanding the importance of email security and implementing the right features is the key to successful business. This write-up particularly focuses on why a secure email gateway matters, what it does, and how it can become one of your best defenses, promoting a secure email system.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A secure email gateway acts as a critical security layer that filters all incoming and outgoing emails to block threats before they reach users.
- SEGs don’t rely on a single method; they use multiple techniques to detect sophisticated threats.
- The gateway is specifically designed to identify and block phishing attempts, including impersonation and lookalike domains.
- This significantly reduces the burden on employees to spot every threat, protecting the organisation from human error and providing a layer of defence.
We all know the email rules: always verify the address of the sender, never click suspicious links, and never download attachments you’re unsure of. These are best practices, but here is the issue-attackers are becoming more adept at concealing their traps. Phishing emails look exactly like real emails, including the company logo, sender address, and even the writing style.
Asking someone to recognize a fake diamond without a magnifying lens is analogous to using human judgment alone to identify all threats. Mistakes happen. That is why businesses need an extra layer of protection, something that operates in the background, analysing every email before it gets to your inbox. That is what a secure email gateway does.
A secure email gateway, also known as an SEG, is a security solution that sits between your email system and the external world. It processes all incoming and outgoing emails. In the process, it scans the message of phishing, against spam, malware, or suspicious links. When something appears suspicious, the gateway blocks it, quarantines it, or marks it as suspicious to be reviewed.
You may consider it to be a clever checkpoint. Similar to the customs officers at the airport, checks emails to make sure nothing bad gets through a secure email gateway examines emails to ensure that nothing malicious slips through.
The reason why a secure email gateway is so highly efficient is that it does not depend on one trick. It operates in layers, and it scans emails in various ways. It verifies the reputation of the sender, inspects links to identify malicious redirects, searches unusual behaviors in message headers, and scans attachments to identify malware.
Since attackers are continually evolving strategies, there are even more sophisticated gateways that apply machine learning to keep up with emerging threats. Even after the first wave of emails has already passed through other organizations, the gateway will be able to intercept the suspicious email campaign as soon as it starts to spread around the globe.
It is that type of real-time protection that makes the gateway superior to simple spam filters.
INTERESTING FACT
THE SECURE EMAIL GATEWAY MARKET IS PROJECTED TO REACH OVER 10 BILLION USD BY 2033 AT A CAGR RATE OF OVER 10%.
Phishing remains the number one way attackers get their foot in the door. A secure email gateway is developed to detect even the most persuasive phishing attacks. It is able to prevent counterfeit login pages, detect lookalike domains and block emails that impersonate company executives.
Imagine you get an email that appears to be sent by your CEO requesting you to transfer money immediately. Someone could fall victim to it without protection. A secure email gateway means that such a message has a much higher chance of being intercepted and marked as suspicious before it is even read.
Another dangerous aspect of emails is attachments. A file that appears to be a harmless PDF or Word document may contain hidden malware. Once opened, it could spread ransomware through your network in seconds.
An email using a secure gateway is far more likely to be intercepted and flagged as suspicious before it is ever read. In case the file acts oddly, such as attempting to run concealed code, it is quarantined. That extra step can help prevent a total catastrophe.
Many individuals consider email security as what is received, but what about what is sent? Employees may inadvertently forward confidential information to the wrong individual, or hacked accounts may transmit malware.
A secure email gateway also monitors outgoing traffic, making sure confidential information isn’t leaving the company without authorization. It can block emails containing things associated with credit card numbers or personal information.
Email remains the backbone of expert communication. That’s why attackers keep using it as their weapon of choice. A secure email gateway is among the best investments you can make if you want to increase email security without placing all the burden on your staff. It’s like having a security guard at the front door of your digital office—checking IDs, inspecting bags, and keeping out troublemakers before they cause harm.
When it comes to protecting your business, peace of mind is worth a loMoreover, you can relax knowing that your inbox isn’t a free-for-all thanks to a secure email gateway.et.
Ans: No, SEG is a specialised tool used for scanning malicious content activity.
Ans: Yes, it analyzes everything and protects against new or unknown threats.
Ans: Not necessarily. Employees can save time and prevent costly mistakes with the help of SEG.
Ans: A sandbox is a secure space in a computer to prevent file from any malicious activity.
