E-mail was designed to improve accessibility/communications. But the problem is that it isn’t very secure. Email Phishing attacks have been increasing in frequency, and it doesn’t seem likely to stop anytime soon, with large companies and high-profile individuals the common targets. 

Attackers use emails that appear authentic to deceive recipients enticing them to part with sensitive information like clicking on hyperlinks that install a virus on the victim’s device. 

Email is also a common entry point for Ransomware attackers looking to gain a foothold in an organization’s network and steal company data.

In recent times, organizations have been trying to improve their email security measures to make it hard for hackers to steal sensitive or confidential information.

What is Email Security? 

Email security includes the process and technologies which ensure the integrity and authenticity of email communications by protecting email accounts and communications against any security threat. 

Why is it Important? 

Email is one of the foundational uses of the internet, and it has long been a target for attacks, this is why Email security is important, emails contain sensitive information, used by everyone in the organization so it is one of the largest targets for attacks.

How to Improve Email Security

Email is one of the primary ways used to spread Ransomware. Therefore, every Organization/Individual needs to follow the following best practices to secure their accounts; 

• Email encryption: Email encryption can disguise/encrypt the content of email messages into a mashed-up arrangement of symbols, and numbers to protect potentially sensitive information from being intercepted by anyone. Email encryption often requires authentication.
• Establish 2FA: Yes some passwords are really strong on their own, as we so often see, they are not enough. Setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) will provide an additional level of control over who gets access to the email, which can help to improve email security.
• Email Gateway: Email gateways scan and process both incoming and outgoing emails filtering out threats. Email attacks are increasingly sophisticated, basic security measures, like deleting unknown Emails, are no longer effective, so a better solution is to set up a secure email gateway. 
• Employee education: Phishing is a very common email threat, it is very crucial to educate employees to recognize phishing and other types of attacks usually perpetrated by email. 
• Antivirus Protection: Antivirus software filters out emails and attachments with viruses, providing the user with warnings if anything suspicious is detected as well.

Benefits of Email security

As most businesses, both companies and Individuals, continue to use email for business communications, email security practices have inherent benefits which include the following; 

1. Fraud Prevention: Identifying potential email security risks, such as spoofing/Phishing, can potentially help an organization to reduce the possibilities for fraud.
2. Malware prevention: A complete set of security procedures deployed on an email platform automatically decreases the chances of falling victims to information-stealing malware.
3. Access Control: Email security prevents total access to sensitive email content/attachments on vulnerable devices like mobiles while permitting full access to secure managed devices. Thereby securing the content communicated during an email message exchange.
4. Communication Authenticity: Email encryption keep the confidentiality of email messages secure. Email encryption can serve as a vital investment that can save the organization from compromising its sensitive data.

Email Security Tools

Email security tools help organizations and individuals like you to improve Email Security, the following are some tools to help improve your Email security Posture; 

• Email security gateways: In organizations that have cloud-hosted email or an Onsite Email system set up, an email security gateway can provide a filtering point for malware, spam, and phishing. Email security gateways vendors Include Cisco, Forcepoint, Fortinet, etc….
• Online email service provider platforms: Microsoft and Google provide integrated antimalware and antispam services, as well options for encrypted data transit. Google Workspace even offers an enterprise-supported version of Gmail that integrates email security as part of the online service. 

Conclusion 

A well set up email security system can help create a safe working environment. Implementing an effective email security strategy may seem tedious, but without appropriate email security measures, an organization/individual will always be vulnerable to email threats, regardless of other advanced technology it has deployed.