Cloud-based Secure Email Gateway vs Traditional Secure Email Gateway
Email is an essential tool for communication in the business world, but it’s also a common target for cyber threats. This is why having a secure email gateway solution is crucial to ensure that your organization is well-protected.
When it comes to email security, businesses typically have two main options to choose from: cloud-based secure email gateways and traditional secure email gateways.
In this blog post, we’ll compare both options to help you make an informed decision for your organization.
What is a Secure Email Gateway?
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s quickly define what a secure email gateway is. A secure email gateway is a software solution that filters inbound and outbound emails to prevent spam, malicious content, and other email-based threats from entering or leaving an organization’s network.
Cloud-based Secure Email Gateway
A cloud-based secure email gateway is a solution that is hosted in the cloud and is managed by a third-party provider. This solution offers the same protection as a traditional secure email gateway, but with the added benefit of being accessible from anywhere at any time, as long as you have an internet connection.
Benefits of Cloud-based Secure Email Gateway
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Reduced Maintenance: Since the solution is hosted in the cloud, there is minimal maintenance required from your organization’s end. The provider takes care of all updates and maintenance, leaving your IT team free to focus on other important tasks.
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Cost Effective: The upfront cost of a cloud-based secure email gateway is lower than a traditional secure email gateway because there are no hardware costs involved. As well, the pricing model for cloud-based gateways is usually subscription-based, which typically makes it more affordable.
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Scalable: Cloud-based secure email gateway is more scalable compared to traditional gateways. You can instantly add or remove users as needed.
Drawbacks of Cloud-based Secure Email Gateway
- Dependency on Internet Connection: Cloud-based solutions depend on an internet connection to function optimally. In case of an outage, the organization may not have access to their email gateway.
Traditional Secure Email Gateway
A traditional secure email gateway is an on-premises solution that is typically installed on a server within the organization’s network.
Benefits of Traditional Secure Email Gateway
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Total Control: A traditional secure email gateway provides organizations complete control over their email security since it is hosted on the premises of the organization.
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Independent of Internet Connection: A traditional secure email gateway can work even when there is no internet connection.
Drawbacks of Traditional Secure Email Gateway
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High Maintenance: Traditional secure email gateways require frequent updates, patching, and maintenance.
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Expensive: The upfront costs of traditional secure email gateways are higher than cloud-based solutions. As well, the hardware, installation and maintenance costs are additional upfront costs.
Conclusion
Both cloud-based and traditional secure email gateways offer protection against email-based threats. The choice between the two solutions will depend on your organization’s specific needs, budget, and security requirements.
Overall, cloud-based secure email gateway solutions offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for businesses that prioritize convenience and functionality. Traditional secure email gateways, on the other hand, provide complete control and independence.
Whichever solution you choose, always remember that having a secure email gateway is crucial in protecting your organization against email-based threats.
References
- "Cloud Security Alliance Guidance v4.0." Cloud Security Alliance, 2021, https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/artifacts/cloud-security-alliance-guidance-v4/
- "Secure Email Gateway." Gartner, 2020, https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/email-security-boundary/compare/vendors