Email is one of the most important tools in business today but it’s also one of the biggest security risks. With phishing attacks, spoofing, and business email compromise (BEC) on the rise, it’s more important than ever to have the right email security in place.
In this article, we’ll walk through ten of the most trusted email security providers in 2026. Whether you’re a business owner, an IT manager, or a compliance officer, these cloud email security tools can help keep your communications secure and your team protected.
1. Security Everywhere
Best for Businesses That Want Managed, Human Backed Protection
Security Everywhere delivers fully managed email, OneDrive and SharePoint protection for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace customers, powered by Check Point. When considering protection options, it’s important to understand the differences between free antivirus vs paid antivirus. Their email security platform blocks phishing, ransomware, and malware alongside realtime URL scanning and attachment analysis. They use advanced AI and machine learning backed by a UK based security team who will evaluate any malicious emails to fully protect you, reducing false positives and helping users get legitimate messages quickly.
Enhancements are available for Data Leak Protection, and their quarantine management includes optional 24×7 release support. To round off the protection, there is a separate anti spoofing and email deliverability service using Sendmarc. Security Everywhere also offers optional mobile phishing protection (powered by Lookout) to safeguard staff wherever they work.
It’s a fully managed and outcome driven service that gives you protection across your email, domain, and devices. It’s ideal for any business looking for effective protection, expert support, and peace of mind.
Website: security-everywhere.com
2. Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Best for Businesses Fully Invested in Microsoft 365
This cloud native solution is integrated directly with Microsoft 365, protecting emails and tools like SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams. It offers real time protection against phishing, malware, and business email compromise. Features like Safe Links, Safe Attachments, and anti phishing policies powered by machine learning make it a robust choice for Microsoft users.
While powerful, it relies on internal teams to configure and maintain effective policies, and doesn’t extend protection beyond the Microsoft ecosystem.
Website: microsoft.com
3. Proofpoint Email Protection
Best for Enterprise Grade Threat Detection
Proofpoint is widely respected for its deep threat intelligence. It protects against spam, phishing, malware, and advanced email threats. You get granular control over filtering, access to detailed reporting, and integrations with other security tools.
Its feature set is impressive, but it’s best suited to organisations with in house security teams that can take full advantage of its configurability and forensic tools.
Website: proofpoint.com
4. Mimecast
Best for Businesses That Need Continuity and Compliance
Mimecast’s Secure Email Gateway includes targeted threat protection, data leak prevention, secure messaging, and archiving. It’s ideal for regulated sectors like legal or finance, where audit trails and guaranteed delivery matter. Their 100% email virus protection SLA is especially appealing to risk sensitive businesses.
Mimecast also offers email continuity features in the event of a Microsoft 365 outage, though the platform can feel complex for businesses without dedicated IT resource.
Website: mimecast.com
5. Cisco Secure Email (Formerly IronPort)
Best for Network Level Intelligence and Threat Blocking
Backed by Cisco Talos, this solution uses global threat data to identify attacks in real time. It offers end to end encryption, DLP (data loss prevention), and robust malware protection.
Cisco Secure Email integrates well with Cisco’s broader product suite, but may require deeper networking knowledge and infrastructure alignment than smaller businesses typically have.
Website: cisco.com
6. Barracuda Email Protection
Best for Simplicity and Fast Deployment
Barracuda combines AI driven threat detection with user friendly management. Its Sentinel product includes impersonation protection, account takeover detection, and DMARC analysis. It integrates neatly with Office 365, making it a fast win for teams that need solid protection with minimal effort.
Its ease of use makes it popular among small IT teams, though advanced policy tuning and deeper visibility may be limited compared to larger enterprise tools.
Website: barracuda.com
7. Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration
Best for AI Driven Protection Across Collaboration Tools
This is the platform that powers Security Everywhere’s email service. Harmony Email uses AI and natural language processing to protect Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace from phishing, malware, and zero day threats. If you want a direct vendor relationship (vs. managed service), it’s a solid option especially for businesses with internal IT expertise.
Some organisations may find value in going direct with Check Point, but managing policies, tuning alerts, and responding to incidents often benefits from expert oversight.
Website: checkpoint.com
8. Trellix Email Security (Formerly McAfee)
Best for Advanced Threat Hunting and Forensics
Trellix offers attachment and URL sandboxing, real time analytics, and behaviour based threat detection. Its threat research and automation capabilities appeal to organisations that want forensic level insight and fast response capabilities.
Well suited to larger businesses with mature internal SOCs, Trellix may be more than what smaller businesses require or can manage.
Website: trellix.com
9. Fortinet FortiMail
Best for All in One Email Security and Compliance
Fortinet’s FortiMail uses machine learning and threat intelligence from FortiGuard Labs. It includes anti spam, antivirus, content filtering, and data loss prevention with built in encryption and message archiving.
It integrates neatly with Fortinet’s broader ecosystem, offering strong value to existing Fortinet customers, but may feel less accessible to organisations unfamiliar with Fortinet infrastructure.
Website: fortinet.com
10. Sophos Email
Best for AI Driven Protection with Strong Endpoint Integration
Sophos Email protects against known and unknown threats using AI, time of click URL protection, and DLP. It integrates tightly with Sophos endpoint and firewall products, making it a good fit for businesses already using the Sophos stack.
Management is streamlined via Sophos Central, though organisations not already using Sophos products may find integration more limited than other platforms.
Website: sophos.com
What to Look For in an Email Security Solution
Not all email security tools are created equal. Here are some key features to consider:
- AI Powered Threat Detection Identifies and blocks phishing, ransomware, and zero day attacks before they reach your users.
- Attachment and URL Sandboxing Opens links and files in a secure environment to detect hidden threats.
- Email Encryption Keeps sensitive messages secure from unauthorised access.
- Policy Enforcement Lets you apply rules to control message flow, retention, and data sharing.
- Spoofing and Impersonation Protection Stops fraud by validating email sources with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- User Friendly Management Easy quarantine release, clear reporting, and minimal false positives.
Final Thoughts
Email security is no longer optional. With threats growing more advanced, even a single missed phishing email can cause financial loss, data breaches, and reputational harm.
Choosing the right provider is about more than just features. It’s about ease of use, ongoing support, and how well it fits your business.
Want help deciding what’s best for your team? Contact us to request an Email Security Health Check (available for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace users). Or if you want to see what your current tools are missing, we can run a DMARC Risk Check on your domain and explain what the results mean.
Let’s protect your inbox together.
FAQs
Can these providers detect internal account compromise?
Yes especially those using AI and behavioural analytics. For example, Security Everywhere looks for suspicious forwarding rules, logins from new locations, or sending behaviour changes.
Do these systems protect against mobile based phishing?
Most major providers protect users regardless of device. Security Everywhere also offers mobile protection (powered by Lookout) for businesses wanting full device level protection.
What about false positives?
All tools aim to strike a balance. Most platforms include admin and user level controls to release emails, whitelist senders, and monitor trends. Managed services like Security Everywhere add an expert layer to reduce frustration.
Do any include financial protection or guarantees?
Some vendors include financial SLAs. More importantly, the right provider gives you visibility, expert support, and risk reduction. Security Everywhere helps you identify your risk and choose a solution that fits and we’ll help you get set up correctly too.
Want to see what protecting your business would actually cost? Build your own plan and get live pricing in under a minute with our Cyber Security Packages — no obligation, just clarity.
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