Top Email Security Hosting Solutions for Secure Email Hosting in 2024

Until today, email remains a cornerstone of communication, especially in the professional arena. However, its widespread use brings many security risks that can put sensitive information at risk and disrupt operations.

This is where email security hosting becomes essential. Understanding the landscape of email security, its importance, and how it integrates with email hosting services can help you safeguard your communications effectively.

What is email security?

Email security is a broad term encompassing the various practices and technologies designed to protect email communications from malicious threats. This includes safeguarding against unauthorised access, ensuring the confidentiality of information, and defending against various forms of cyberattacks. 

In essence, email security aims to prevent the compromise of your email account and data, ensuring that your communications remain private and untainted by external threats.

Why is email security important?

The significance of email security cannot be overstated. With the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, securing your email is paramount. Here's why:

1. Preventing data breaches: Email is often used to share sensitive information. Without robust security measures, there's a risk of data loss or unauthorised access.
2. Protecting against phishing and spam: Phishing attacks and spam emails are prevalent, and they can trick users into revealing personal information or installing malware.
3. Maintaining business continuity: Email continuity ensures that communications are uninterrupted, even during an attack or technical issue.
4. Compliance: Many industries have regulatory requirements for data protection. Ensuring your email security meets these standards is crucial for compliance.

Types of email threats

Email threats come in various forms, each targeting different aspects of email communication. Understanding these threats helps in selecting the right security measures:

• Phishing: This involves fraudulent emails designed to deceive recipients into providing sensitive information such as passwords or financial details.

• Spam: Unwanted and often harmful emails that can clog up mailboxes and sometimes carry malware.

• Malware: Malicious software sent via email that can infect systems, steal information, or cause damage.

• Business Email Compromise (BEC): A type of cybercrime where attackers gain access to a business email account to commit fraud or theft.

• Data loss: Situations where email data is lost due to accidental deletion, corruption, or cyberattacks.

• Email spoofing: When attackers falsify email headers to make messages appear as if they come from a trusted source.

What is email security hosting?

Email security hosting refers to the services and infrastructure provided by third-party vendors to protect your email communications from threats. It typically involves securing email servers and ensuring that all incoming and outgoing messages are protected against various types of attacks. 

Unlike traditional email hosting, which focuses on providing email services, email security hosting emphasises safeguarding those services from security threats.

How email security hosting works

Email security hosting operates through a combination of technologies and practices designed to secure your email communications. Here’s a look at how it works:

Spam and virus filtering

Security hosting services often include advanced filtering systems to detect and block spam, viruses, and malware before they reach your inbox. These filters are complemented by antivirus software that scans for known threats and provides an additional layer of protection. 

Advanced features of hosted email security may include real-time threat detection to further enhance the level of security against evolving threats.

Encryption

This is a critical component of email security. Encryption protects the content of your emails from being read by unauthorised parties. Secure email hosting services often use end-to-end encryption to ensure that only the intended recipient can access the content. 

Additionally, email authentication methods such as DMARC and SPF are implemented to prevent spoofing and ensure that encrypted emails are delivered securely.

Threat detection and response

Security hosting services employ sophisticated algorithms and tools to detect and respond to emerging threats. This includes identifying phishing attempts, malware, and other malicious activities. 

Advanced threat protection against known and unknown threats is provided, including proactive measures to counter targeted email threats that could bypass standard defences.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

DLP technologies prevent sensitive information from being leaked or lost. They monitor and control data transfers, ensuring that confidential information remains secure. 

Protection against known and unknown data breaches is integrated, which includes detecting and mitigating risks associated with email-based data loss.

Email continuity

Ensures that email services remain available even during technical issues or cyberattacks, thus maintaining business operations without interruption. Email continuity solutions often include backup systems that ensure business email remains accessible and secure, providing seamless recovery in case of disruption. 

Enhanced threat protection against known risks further ensures that continuity is preserved even in the face of targeted attacks.

Understanding the difference between hosted email security and email security hosting

While these terms might seem similar, there are distinctions between them:

• Hosted email security: This usually refers to security measures that are applied to email services provided by third-party vendors. For example, SonicWall Hosted Email Security focuses on protecting email servers and communications from threats through advanced filtering and threat detection.

• Email security hosting: This encompasses the broader scope of hosting services dedicated to ensuring that email communications are secure. It includes the actual hosting of email servers along with security features such as encryption, spam filtering, and threat protection.

Features of secure email hosting services

When evaluating secure email hosting services, several key features should be considered:

1. Advanced threat protection: Look for services that offer robust protection against known and emerging threats, including anti-phishing and anti-spam measures.
2. Encryption: Ensure that the email hosting service uses strong encryption methods for both data in transit and at rest.
3. Cloud-based protection: Many secure email hosting services offer cloud-based solutions that provide scalability and flexibility while maintaining high-security standards.
4. Email archiving: Features that allow for secure storage and retrieval of historical email data can be crucial for compliance and data recovery.
5. Support and management: Good email security services include 24x7 support and comprehensive management tools for monitoring and reporting on email security activities.
6. Integration capabilities: Ensure the service can integrate with other security solutions and tools used within your organisation.

Choosing the best secure email provider for 2024

Selecting the best secure email provider involves evaluating various factors:

• Reputation and reliability: Providers like Zoho Mail and SonicWall have established themselves as reputable options. SonicWall Hosted Email Security, for example, offers advanced threat protection with features like SonicWall Capture Sandbox with RTDMI.

• Features and functionality: Compare features such as anti-spam, data loss prevention, and email archiving to ensure the provider meets your needs.

• Cost: Consider the pricing structure, including any per-user costs, and compare it with the features offered to ensure you're getting value for your investment.

• Support and service: Evaluate the level of customer support and service included with the hosting plan to ensure you receive timely assistance when needed.

• Compliance and security standards: Ensure the provider adheres to industry standards and regulatory requirements relevant to your business.

Top secure email providers for 2024

In 2024, ensuring the security of your email communications is more crucial than ever. Here's a guide to the top secure email providers:

SonicWall Hosted Email Security

Known for its strong security practices and advanced threat protection, SonicWall is a top choice for businesses looking to protect against targeted phishing attacks, email fraud, and business email compromise. Its cloud-based service offers features such as anti-spam, encryption, and data loss prevention, making it a comprehensive solution for secure email hosting.

Zoho Mail

A popular email provider that offers end-to-end encryption and a range of security features. Zoho Mail also provides cloud storage, making it a versatile option for businesses and individuals alike. With paid plans and a free plan available, Zoho Mail is a flexible and secure option.

Mailbox.org

Based in Switzerland, Mailbox.org is a secure email service known for its encrypted cloud storage and strong privacy protections. It's an ideal alternative to Google or Microsoft, especially for users who prioritise privacy.

ProtonMail

Another secure email service based in Switzerland, ProtonMail is known for its end-to-end encryption and user-friendly interface. It offers both free and paid plans, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Conclusion: Safeguarding your communications in 2024

With the multitude of email threats, including targeted phishing and outbound email threats such as spam, having a robust email security hosting solution is indispensable. The right service not only provides comprehensive protection against inbound and outbound threats but also ensures that your sensitive information remains secure from sophisticated cyberattacks.

Choosing a secure email hosting provider with advanced threat protection can protect your organisation from advanced email threats. Features such as per-user junkbox and effective spam filtering are critical in maintaining a secure environment. 

By selecting a service that prioritises encryption, data loss prevention, and real-time threat detection, you can keep your email safe from various threats and ensure uninterrupted business operations.

Enhance your business with cloud-based email security from Serveline

Serveline provides cloud-based protection against inbound threats, ensuring your business's email security is top-notch. Safeguard your communications and manage your mail using our advanced security solutions. 

Get in touch with Serveline today at 01384 429 120 or email us at hello@serveline.co.uk to learn more about how we can help secure your email systems.

FAQ

What is email security hosting, and why is it important?

Email security hosting is a service designed to protect your email communications from various cyber threats, including spam, phishing, and malware. By employing advanced security measures such as anti-spooling and sophisticated threat detection, email security hosting safeguards your email servers and email addresses.

Additionally, 24x7 support is included in the bundle to help address any issues promptly.

What are the benefits of hosted email security essentials?

Hosted email security essentials provide a comprehensive solution to secure your email communications. These services include essential security features like anti-spooling, filtering, and encryption to protect against unauthorised access and cyber threats. 

Hosted email security essentials also ensure the protection of your email servers from potential breaches, making it a vital component of any organisation's email security strategy.

How do email servers contribute to email security hosting?

Email servers are the backbone of email security hosting, acting as the central point for all email traffic within an organisation. Secure email servers are designed to filter out spam, detect and prevent URL-based threats using cutting-edge technologies, and protect against unauthorised access. 

When choosing an email solution, it's crucial to ensure that your email servers are equipped with the latest security features and are housed in secure data centres to maintain integrity and continuity.

Can I use email security hosting for personal email?

Yes, email security hosting is not limited to businesses; it can also be utilised for personal email accounts. Securing your personal email with hosting services ensures that your email addresses are protected from spam, phishing, and other cyber threats. 

These services employ anti-spooling techniques and guard against unknown attachment-based and URL-based threats using best in-class security measures to keep your personal data safe.

How does email security hosting protect my email addresses?

Email security hosting protects your email addresses by filtering out malicious content and preventing unauthorised access. It utilises advanced protocols like anti-spooling to ensure that your emails cannot be spoofed or exploited for fraudulent purposes. 

Additionally, these services monitor your IP address for any suspicious activity, providing a strong layer of security for your email addresses and the sensitive information they contain.

What role does secure cloud storage play in email security hosting?

Secure cloud storage is a key component of email security hosting. It ensures that all your emails and attachments are securely stored in data centres with top-tier security measures. This storage solution also provides protection against unknown attachment-based and URL-based threats using advanced security technologies, ensuring that your data remains safe and accessible. 

When choosing an email solution, opting for one that includes secure cloud storage is essential for maintaining the security and availability of your emails.