Email is one of the oldest and most widely used business communication tools.
At the same time, it remains the most common cyberattack vector — from phishing to ransomware delivery.
Proper email protection is therefore a cornerstone of any organisation’s information security.
Why Email Security Is Critical
According to the Verizon DBIR, over 90% of cyberattacks start with an email.
Malicious messages can:
- contain phishing links,
- deliver malware-laden attachments,
- impersonate trusted institutions or colleagues (spoofing).
Strong email security protects not only company data but also its reputation and operational continuity.
Major Email-Related Threats
- Phishing – attempts to steal credentials, financial data, or access via fraudulent messages.
- Malware – malicious payloads hidden in attachments (PDF, DOCX, ZIP, etc.).
- Email Spoofing – forging sender addresses to deceive recipients.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC) – sophisticated financial fraud impersonating executives or business partners.
Best Practices for Email Security
- Advanced anti-spam filters – deploy intelligent gateways that block suspicious messages before they reach inboxes.
- Domain authentication – implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to prevent sender spoofing.
- User awareness training – teach employees to spot fake emails, links, and attachments.
- Restrict dangerous features – block automatic macro/script execution from emails.
- Secure client configuration – enforce TLS encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for mailbox access.
Essential Email Protection Tools
- Email encryption – protect sensitive messages (PGP, S/MIME, Microsoft 365 Message Encryption).
- Antivirus & sandboxing – scan attachments and URLs in an isolated environment (e.g., Proofpoint, Mimecast, FortiMail, Sophos).
- Monitoring & reporting – continuously analyse email activity for anomalies.
- DMARC management platforms – tools like dmarcian, Postmark, or Mimecast to monitor and enforce policies.
Example Corporate Email Protection Stack
| Layer | Mechanism | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | SPF / DKIM / DMARC | Prevent spoofing |
| Mail Gateway | Anti-spam, AV, sandboxing | Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Proofpoint |
| End User | Training, MFA | Regular phishing simulations |
| Management | Logging & analytics | SIEM (Microsoft Sentinel, Splunk) |
Secure Your Email Today
Effective email protection combines technology, processes, and people.
Implement proven controls, leverage modern tools, and regularly test your organisation’s resilience with phishing simulations.
Get in Touch
I help companies design and deploy complete email security programmes — including SPF/DKIM/DMARC setup, encryption, sandboxing solutions, and anti-phishing training.
Email: biuro@wichran.pl
Phone: +48 515 601 621
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Court-appointed IT forensic expert, IT/OT cybersecurity specialist, licensed private investigator
@Informatyka.Sledcza