Email Security: Don't Overlook Your #1 Threat Vector -

Every athlete knows they’re only as good as the weakest part of their game. A baseball hitter who pounds fastballs into the bleachers but can’t quite handle the breaking stuff will see nothing but curveballs. Tennis prodigies with thunderous serves and rocketing forehands can still come up short if they have relatively ineffectual backhands that are relentlessly hammered by opponents.

And so it is with cybersecurity; even though savvy MSPs and SMBs clearly grasp the urgency of dealing with cyberattacks and have invested considerable sums in their endpoint protection solutions, many have overlooked a glaring weakness in their cyber-defenses—email security—that’s eagerly exploited by hacker foes.

It’s no secret that email is the primary tool that today’s organizations use to communicate with their internal and external stakeholders. Unfortunately, that fact has not gone unnoticed by cybercriminals, who have enthusiastically adopted email as their most utilized—and effective—attack vector.

Despite using a variety of email security tools (e.g., authentication & encryption protocols, corporate information security policies, etc.), companies still remain vulnerable to cyber threats that plague email, including hacking, malware, phishing, spoofing, and misdeliveries.

These are alarming figures, and underscore the need to examine the often-neglected category of email security solutions. Too many SMBs and MSPs mistakenly assume that conventional endpoint security solutions can provide comprehensive protection from email-based attacks. Alas, that is simply not the case. Only a purpose-built email security solution can safeguard against the multitude of email-based threats that cybercriminals regularly unleash.

Choosing an Email Security Solution

Bottom line: Combating today’s zero-day threats and complex malware requires more than a robust endpoint security solution. As noted, email is now the leading attack vector for cybercriminals intent on network infiltration, utilizing such tactics as phishing campaigns and bad URL links, as well as weaponized attachments.

As such, deploying a dedicated email security solution should not be seen as merely a prudent “add-on” to an effective protection strategy—it’s absolutely a necessity for today’s SMBs and MSPs who must prevent costly breaches.

When evaluating email security solutions, it’s a good idea to look for a multi-layered security platform that leverages powerful machine learning technology. This enables the solution to perform multiple levels of scanning that protect against both known and emerging email-based threats, including viruses, malware, spam, bulk mail, phishing, and spoofing.

It’s also sensible to seek out user-friendly technologies such as easy cloud-based deployment and a convenient browser-based portal. The ultimate goal is to find a solution that blends advanced protection with simple management tools:

Central console providing instant dashboard visibility into all types of email threats, including spam, viruses, and quarantined messages
Anti-spam, antivirus and anti-phishing technology that quells unwanted or malicious messages while increasing operational efficiency
Always-on email continuity, so users can still access emails from a web browser on any device even when the email server, like Office 365, is unavailable
End-user spam reports and robust email logs
Platform independence plus support for any email client or server (Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, Office 365 and Google Apps)

For over 25 years, VIPRE Security has been a leading provider of advanced security products purpose-built to protect every major attack vector from today’s most costly and malicious online threats. Read more guest blogs from VIPRE Security here.