Integrated Cloud Email Security (ICES) solutions are API-based security platforms that use AI and machine learning to stop advanced email attacks. They connect directly with cloud email services like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace without affecting email traffic or native security features.
Email has become the essential communication tool in the digital age, but it also exposes us to increased risk of cyberattacks targeting email systems. Integrated Cloud Email Security (ICES) solutions are designed to address this concern by providing advanced protection against various email-based threats. This article will discuss the fundamentals of ICES, its key features and benefits, differences from legacy solutions like secure email gateways (SEGs), examples of attacks that ICESs can catch, and considerations for replacing or augmenting your SEG with an ICES.
Integrated Cloud Email Security (ICES) is a comprehensive email security solution that combines multiple layers of protection to defend against a wide range of email-based threats like business email compromise (BEC), account takeover (ATO), and more. ICESs leverage artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other advanced technologies to detect and block malicious emails that slip past traditional email security tools.
Separately, traditional email security solutions—and the default features of cloud-based email providers—can only detect common email attacks with harmful content, such as SPAM, malicious links and attachments, or fake email domains. However, these methods are not enough to stop newer forms of sophisticated phishing like business email compromise (BEC) or vendor email compromise (VEC) attacks. Unlike the old-school phishing attacks, these advanced attacks use "malicious intent" based emails that only rely on text-based social engineering techniques to trick recipients into giving up login information, sending confidential data, or paying a false invoice.
This is where ICES solutions play a crucial role. ICES solutions connect with cloud email services through APIs and integrate directly with Microsoft and Google's built-in email security to deliver comprehensive protection without having to change MX records or possibly affecting email traffic.
ICES solutions offer various features and benefits, including:
How do ICESs differ from legacy solutions like secure email gateways (SEGs)?
While both ICESs and SEGs aim to protect organizations from email-based threats, ICESs offer a more advanced and comprehensive approach to email security. SEGs primarily rely on traditional techniques such as signature-based detection and content filtering, which may not be effective against sophisticated attacks. ICESs, on the other hand, use advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and computer vision to identify and block a wider range of threats. Additionally, ICESs are better suited for cloud-based email systems and can be more easily integrated with other security solutions.
When deciding between augmenting an existing legacy secure email gateway (SEG) with an ICES solution, or replacing the SEG with their native cloud email security combined with a ICES solution, organizations should carefully assess their existing security stack, IT/Security team resources, and existing or future IT service management (ITSM) requirements.
While augmenting the SEG with an ICES solution can enhance protection against advanced threats with a defense-in-depth security approach, it may also result in added complexity and potential compatibility issues. Conversely, transitioning to native cloud email security and a modern ICES solution provides a more streamlined approach, offering better integration, scalability, and adaptability to emerging threats while still providing the enhanced protection against advanced threats like business email compromise and account takeover.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on factors such as the organization's security requirements, budget, and existing infrastructure, as well as the potential benefits and challenges associated with each option.
"Initially, these solutions are deployed as a supplement to existing gateway solutions, but increasingly the combination of the cloud email providers’ native capabilities and an ICES is replacing the traditional SEG."
Read Gartner's recommendations in their 2023 Email Market Guide
When considering whether to replace or augment an SEG with an ICES, several factors should be taken into account:
In conclusion, Integrated Cloud Email Security (ICES) solutions offer advanced, multi-layered protection against a wide range of email-based threats. They are particularly well-suited for organizations that rely on cloud-based email services and face sophisticated attacks. Deciding whether to replace or augment your SEG with an ICES depends on your organization's specific needs, threat landscape, compliance requirements, budget, and resources. Carefully evaluating these factors will help you make an informed decision on the best email security solution for your organization.
Integrated Cloud Email Security solutions are commonly seen by vendors as advanced machine-only solutions using AI to address advanced email threats. While the most sophisticated AI-powered systems can effectively identify and prevent a vast majority of threats, roughly 99%, they are still leaving a small yet significant 1% undetected. When applied to large organizations this 1% can still result in thousands of threats getting through. This gap in coverage underscores the limitations of relying solely on technology to combat evolving email threats and highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach that combines AI with human insights.
IRONSCALES is an Integrated Cloud Email Security (ICES) solution that offers complete protection against modern email threats using AI and human insights. Key features of the platform include:
Whether augmenting an existing legacy secure email gateway (SEG) or replacing it with native cloud email security, IRONSCALES provides a multi-layered defense against modern email-based attacks. Its seamless integration, adaptability to evolving threats, and user-centric approach make it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to strengthen their email security posture while fostering a proactive security culture.
Learn more about IRONSCALES advanced cloud email protection here.
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