Cloud email security solutions are secure email platforms used to prevent phishing scams that trick users into divulging privileged information. The platforms, hosted by the cloud email security vendor, also ensure emails containing links to malicious sites or trigger malware downloads are blocked before reaching the end user. Businesses use cloud email security solutions to prevent data loss and the release of privileges or credentials, and increase endpoint security by blocking malware and other web-based threats.
These tools emerged as portions of the secure email gateway market have adapted to the digital transformation and reduced the need for on-premise email security tools and appliances. There is some overlap between cloud email security tools and email anti-spam software and email encryption software, but those tools typically serve one single purpose and may be delivered in both cloud and on-premise forms.
To qualify for inclusion in the Cloud Email Security category, a product must:
Provide cloud-hosted email services
Filter fraudulent emails and phishing scams
Prevent and detect spam and other malicious email content