Email remains the number one attack vector for cybercriminals, with over 90 percent of successful cyberattacks starting with a phishing email. Business email compromise causes over $2.7 billion in annual losses according to the FBI. In 2026, email security requires more than basic spam filtering — organizations need AI-powered threat detection, impersonation protection, URL sandboxing, and automated incident response.
Proofpoint is the market leader in enterprise email security, protecting over 75 percent of Fortune 100 companies. Its Targeted Attack Protection platform uses machine learning and sandbox analysis to detect advanced threats including zero-day malware, credential phishing, and business email compromise. Proofpoint also provides security awareness training, data loss prevention, and email archiving. Pricing is per-user and typically requires contacting sales for a quote.
Mimecast provides comprehensive email security with built-in continuity and archiving. Its Email Security platform includes attachment sandboxing, URL rewriting with real-time click analysis, impersonation protection, and internal email threat scanning. Mimecast's email continuity feature ensures employees can send and receive email even during Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace outages. Plans start at approximately $3.50 per user per month.
Barracuda Email Protection covers 13 email threat types including phishing, account takeover, business email compromise, and lateral phishing. Its AI-driven detection engine analyzes communication patterns to identify anomalies that indicate compromised accounts or impersonation attempts. Barracuda integrates via API with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, deploying in minutes without MX record changes. Plans start at approximately $3 per user per month.
Avanan (acquired by Check Point) takes an API-based approach that deploys between the email provider and the end user. This inline deployment catches threats that bypass native email security filters. Avanan protects email and collaboration tools including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack. The platform excels at catching sophisticated phishing emails that impersonate internal contacts.
Abnormal Security uses behavioral AI to model expected communication patterns for each user and organization. When an email deviates from established patterns — unusual sender behavior, atypical requests, or unexpected tone — Abnormal flags or blocks it. This approach is particularly effective against business email compromise and vendor fraud, which often pass through traditional content-based filters.
Layer your email security rather than relying on a single solution. Your email provider's built-in protection (Microsoft Defender for Office 365 or Google's built-in scanning) should be complemented with a dedicated email security gateway or API-based solution. Combine technical controls with regular security awareness training to create a human firewall that recognizes and reports suspicious emails.
