What is an Email Gateway?
An email gateway is a server or software solution that monitors and manages incoming and outgoing email traffic for an organization. It acts as a checkpoint between the internal email server and the outside world, analyzing messages for threats and policy compliance before they are delivered or sent.
Key Functions of an Email Gateway:
Spam Filtering: Blocks junk mail and unwanted emails.
Malware and Virus Scanning: Detects and blocks emails containing malicious attachments or links.
Phishing Protection: Identifies and neutralizes phishing attempts.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents sensitive data from being leaked via email.
Email Encryption: Ensures secure email transmission.
Policy Enforcement: Applies company policies on email usage (e.g., blocking file types, keyword scanning).
Enhanced IT security
Reduces Attack Surface: Blocks threats before they reach the internal network.
Protects Users: Shields employees from phishing, ransomware, and zero-day exploits.
Prevents Data Breaches: Stops unauthorized transmission of sensitive data.
Improves Incident Response: Logs and quarantines suspicious emails for investigation.
Enhances Compliance: Supports regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX.
Threat Reduction Percentage
The exact % of threat reduction varies depending on:
Vendor/solution quality (e.g., Mimecast, Proofpoint, Microsoft Defender for Office 365)
Configuration (e.g., filtering rules, DLP settings)
Threat landscape
User behavior
However, studies and industry reports suggest that a properly configured email gateway can reduce phishing attack success rates by 70–95%
Example: According to a 2023 Gartner report, advanced email security solutions reduce successful email-borne threat incidents by over 90% when combined with user training.
In Summary
An email gateway is one of the most critical defenses in an organization’s security infrastructure. While not foolproof, it significantly reduces risk by filtering out most malicious content before it reaches the user, making it a vital component in a layered security strategy.
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REST Solution chose to work with Mimecast to secure its clients emails, ranked by Gartner as a market Leader.
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