Email gateways are a type of email server designed to protect an enterprise’s internal mail servers. These servers act as portals through which all outgoing or incoming email traffic flows. However, a secure email gateway (SEG) is a type of software or device used for monitoring emails that are being received and sent.

This form of email protection was developed to stop unwanted email entering company inboxes. Unwanted messages include annoying spam, insidious phishing attacks, fraudulent content, and harmful malware. Outgoing emails can be analysed by the gateway, preventing sensitive data from leaking, but it can also encrypt emails automatically if they contain confidential information.

Another role of SEGs is to ensure that emails sent by trusted entities are not delayed and arrive promptly in users’ inboxes. Optimum security is assured while workflow is never impacted negatively.

SEG functionality is available in different formats for deployment to suit specific requirements. For example, it is offered as both a cloud service and an on-premises solution.

What’s the problem with using free security solutions?

Although it can seem cost-efficient to employ secure email gateways offered for free, or security software that is publicly available, the downsides can be considerable. This approach often results in unwanted and malicious messages managing to bypass security measures and end up in user inboxes.

Unfortunately, free security services and software are seldom updated quickly enough to block the latest threats. Proactive spammers and malicious operators swap tactics swiftly and many open-source and free email security gateways are unable to keep up.

Ultimately, attempting to save money by adopting free email security options can backfire and cost companies dearly when an attack is successful against their systems and results in a data breach.

Cloud-based or on-premises?

Enterprises can select to deploy an SEG employing either in the cloud or on their premises in the form of a virtual (software) or physical (hardware) appliance. The selection will typically be impacted by whether the business is utilising an email service, based in the cloud, or an on-premises solution. Other factors impacting this decision will be whether an enterprise seeks to migrate its communication services to a cloud-based platform, and how comfortable it is with such services and the data involved existing beyond the boundary of its network.

Firms that opt for on-premises software or hardware to protect email communications are responsible for buying and maintaining their equipment. Furthermore, software updates and server connectivity are also their responsibility.

In contrast, companies deploying an SEG as a cloud service are not responsible for these roles. Instead, these responsibilities fall to their selected security vendor who must also ensure service availability is maintained.

Experts in email security

Enterprises looking for a comprehensive solution for email security can look to Galaxkey for strong support. Providing users with a useful set of tools that allow them to exercise total control over the emails they send, our system also boast powerful encryption and e-signature verification. Get in touch today for an online demonstration.