Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Integrated cloud email security solutions sit natively inside Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, scanning internal and outbound messages as well as inbound, and remediating threats already in the inbox. Unlike traditional gateways, they require no MX record changes and provide account takeover detection that gateway tools cannot see. We reviewed 10 platforms and found Material Security, Abnormal AI, and IRONSCALES to be the strongest options for most cloud email environments.
The best integrated cloud email security solutions catch the threats that native email controls miss: social engineering, business email compromise, credential theft, and AI-generated phishing that bypasses content-based filters. They layer API-based detection on top of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace without disrupting existing mail flow, using behavioral AI, machine learning, and crowdsourced intelligence to flag attacks based on context and sender behavior rather than known signatures alone.
We’ve evaluated integrated cloud email security platforms across enterprise, mid-market, and MSP environments, testing detection accuracy, deployment experience, admin overhead, and how each platform handles the gap between native email security and real-world phishing tactics. This guide covers the solutions that deliver measurable improvements in phishing catch rates, account takeover prevention, and analyst workload.
Integrated cloud email security (ICES) solutions protect your email by sitting directly inside your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace environment. Unlike traditional email gateways that filter mail before it arrives, ICES platforms connect through APIs to scan messages already in the inbox, detect compromised accounts, and monitor internal email. They require no changes to your email routing and work alongside your existing email security controls.
ICES platforms deploy via API integration with cloud email providers, bypassing MX record changes entirely. This architecture gives them access to internal and outbound message flows that gateway-based tools cannot inspect. Detection engines typically combine behavioral AI, sender profiling, and content analysis to identify threats based on deviation from established communication patterns rather than known signatures. Account takeover detection monitors authentication events, login anomalies, and mailbox rule changes to flag compromised accounts. Post-delivery remediation removes threats from inboxes retroactively, and real-time warning banners give end users contextual signals on suspicious messages. ICES solutions are designed to complement native security controls from Microsoft and Google rather than replace them.
All 10 platforms deploy natively inside cloud email environments. Coverage depth for Google Workspace, account takeover detection, and outbound protection varies significantly across the field.
| Product | Best For | M365 | Google Workspace | Account Takeover | Outbound Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Material Security
|
Complete cloud workspace security
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Abnormal AI
|
Behavioral AI and account takeover prevention
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
IRONSCALES
|
Crowdsourced phishing defense with awareness training
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Check Point Email Security (formerly Avanan)
|
ML-driven phishing detection on native controls
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Darktrace Email
|
Behavioral anomaly detection across email and SaaS
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Egress Protect (KnowBe4)
|
Context-aware phishing with outbound DLP
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Inky (Kaseya)
|
Banner-driven awareness with writing style analysis
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Mimecast ICES
|
Established threat intelligence at enterprise scale
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
PhishTitan, powered by CyberSentriq
|
Focused phishing defense for SMBs on M365
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Trustifi
|
Inbound protection with compliance-grade encryption
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
We assessed 10 integrated cloud email security platforms across detection accuracy, deployment experience, and how effectively each handles threats that bypass native Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace controls. We reviewed verified customer feedback and conducted independent research to validate vendor claims. This guide was written by Joel Witts and technically reviewed by Craig MacAlpine. Read our full methodology
Material Security provides a complete cloud workspace security platform for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
It tackles email, identity and data security threats across a multi-layered platform that provides inbound threat detection, account compromise protection, and automated threat response.
Users of the service report that the account compromise protection features are highly effective, helping to slow down attacks and limit the amount of data that can be accessed.
Customers also highlight the automated remediation and phishing investigation capabilities as significant time savers for analysts. Reporting is straightforward, deployment is fast, and reviewers consistently note the pace of new feature releases and the responsiveness of the support team.
Some teams note that rules configuration can be challenging without in-house email expertise, but that the Material support team is responsive.
Material Security’s strength is how it connects security capabilities across email and the entire cloud workspace. Inbound detection catches the threats that bypass native controls. Sensitive data protection ensures that what attackers are actually after, OTPs, confidential files, password reset links, is locked down regardless of how they got in. Identity controls contain the blast radius when an account is compromised. And the OAuth Threat Remediation Agent monitors and actively remediates third-party app connections across the workspace, addressing an attack surface most organizations have no visibility into at all.
If you are looking for a dedicated security platform for M365 or Google Workspace that covers advanced email threats and secures against account compromise, this is a serious solution to consider.
Best for behavioral AI and account takeover prevention
Abnormal AI is a cloud-native email security platform that uses behavioral AI to catch threats traditional gateways miss. It targets Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace teams who want API-layered protection on top of their native security. The differentiator: it profiles sender behavior, not just message content.
Customers say setup runs fast, with some teams finishing 90% of configuration in a one-hour call with an Abnormal engineer. Many flag a sharp drop in phishing and credential theft after switching from older email gateways.
On the downside, users have flagged false positives. Legitimate emails, including invoices, sometimes land in junk. Some customers also say the AI Phishing Coach module still feels rough, with audio and video sync issues that signal early-stage quality.
We think Abnormal makes most sense if your environment runs on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace and you want layered protection that doesn’t fight your native controls. It sits at the premium end on price, but the account takeover engine and low admin overhead pay that back quickly for mid-market security teams.
Best for crowdsourced phishing defense with built-in awareness training
IRONSCALES is an API-based email security platform that sits at the mailbox level inside Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. It’s designed to catch phishing, BEC, and impersonation attacks missed by traditional email gateways. It uses adaptive AI systems alongside end-user based threat intelligence to learn what malicious emails look like, and block them everywhere, all at once. We think it stands out for the way it turns employee reporting into a real-time detection advantage across its network of over 17,000 customers.
We are impressed by IRONSCALES. The platform is constantly adding new features, like email spam filtering, encryption, and deepfake protection. The core of the product is the crowdsourced threat intelligence built on end-user email reporting, which is an effective way of blocking phishing, alongside powerful threat protection engines. If you are looking for an effective email security platform that goes beyond traditional gateway filtering with built-in phishing awareness training, IRONSCALES delivers. The free Starter tier offers phishing simulation and testing for up to 500 mailboxes, though full email protection requires a paid plan.
Best for ML-driven phishing detection layered on native M365 and Google controls
Check Point Email Security, formerly known as Avanan, secures Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace email through API-based integration. It catches advanced phishing and account compromise threats before they reach the inbox, without requiring MX record changes. The platform also extends to Teams and Slack.
Customers say setup runs fast, with some seeing immediate results without disabling Microsoft Defender or ATP. Many flag a sharp drop in phishing volume after switching from gateway-based tools, and several call out the DLP automation that flags outbound PII and PCI.
On the downside, users have flagged the lack of a mobile admin app for managing incidents on the go. Outside that, complaints are sparse, focused on minor admin friction rather than detection gaps.
We think Check Point Email Security makes most sense if your team runs Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace and you want phishing detection that works alongside your native security rather than replacing it. The Slack and Teams coverage adds value if collaboration tools are part of your threat surface.
The API-based deployment keeps your existing controls intact, and the platform’s strength sits squarely with phishing and account compromise.
Best for behavioral anomaly detection across email and SaaS
Darktrace Email is an AI-driven email security platform that builds behavioral baselines for every user to spot anomalies. It protects Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace teams against phishing, BEC, supply chain attacks, and accidental data loss. The platform also extends coverage to wider SaaS environments.
Customers say the AI adapts well, with low false positives after the baseline settles in. Many flag the search interface as fast and clear, with email tracking taking seconds. The AI phishing simulation that crafts tests from real inbox data also gets praise.
On the downside, users have flagged that the journalling-based deployment causes friction with other security integrations. Some customers also say pricing sits at the higher end, though most see proportional value.
We think Darktrace Email makes most sense if you have a mature security team that wants AI-driven anomaly detection layered on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. The behavioral baseline approach pays off most when your organization has predictable communication patterns to learn from.
If you’re running multi-tenant or hybrid environments, the API deployment and SaaS coverage extend protection past the inbox cleanly.
Best for context-aware phishing detection with outbound DLP and encryption
Egress Protect, now part of KnowBe4 following its acquisition in 2024, is an ICES platform that uses machine learning to spot phishing and BEC attacks based on context, not just content. It targets Microsoft 365 teams who want warning banners and admin insights on at-risk accounts. The wider Egress suite also covers outbound DLP and AES 256-bit encryption.
Customers say setup is fast and the Outlook plugin makes training simple. Many flag the warning banners as effective at catching errors before they cause damage, and several call out responsive support and friendly account management.
On the downside, users have flagged that the encryption portal workflow gets clunky for external recipients. Some customers say replies through the secure portal involve multiple logins and limited search. Per-license costs also add up quickly at scale.
We think Egress Protect makes most sense if you run Microsoft 365 and want context-aware phishing detection paired with outbound DLP in one platform. We found the detection engine and admin insights cover BEC and tone-based attacks well.
The encryption portal works best for occasional sensitive transmissions, not daily external communication. For teams that fit, the integrated suite offers strong end-to-end coverage.
Best for banner-driven user awareness with writing style analysis
Inky, acquired by Kaseya in October 2025, is a cloud-based email security platform built around customizable warning banners and ML-driven phishing detection. It targets Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace teams that want clear user-facing signals on every inbound, internal, and outbound message. The platform analyzes how users write to spot impersonation attempts.
Customers say the banners drive real user awareness, especially on edge cases like spam and gray mail. Many flag the AI writing style detection as a strong differentiator, and several call out low admin overhead once the platform is running.
On the downside, users have flagged the Google Workspace setup as painful. Some customers say onboarding takes longer than expected and end-user client setup adds friction. A few also flag that banners stick around even after a sender is tenant-approved.
We think Inky makes most sense if you’re running Microsoft 365 and want banner-driven user awareness layered on top of EOP or your existing gateway. The writing style analysis adds real value for organizations dealing with impersonation attempts and BEC.
Google Workspace deployments take longer to set up. Once running, the low admin overhead and clear user signals pay off across the longer term.
Best for established threat intelligence at enterprise scale
Mimecast Integrated Cloud Email Security is a Microsoft 365-focused email security platform from a long-established vendor. It targets US and UK organizations that want AI-powered phishing and malware detection layered on native M365 controls. The platform pulls threat intelligence from over a billion daily emails.
Customers say spam filtering is intuitive and reliable, with daily “on hold” summaries reducing moderation work. Many flag the rule configurability as a strong point. Admins build custom phishing rules and department filters quickly, and URL protection extends into Teams.
That said, users have flagged the lack of API integration as a limitation. Some customers say the MX-based deployment makes it harder to feed metrics into SIEM platforms or correlate threat data with the wider security stack.
We think Mimecast makes most sense if your organization runs Microsoft 365 in the US or UK and values established threat intelligence over API-first architecture. The scale of inspected emails feeding the ML engines creates real detection depth.
If your security stack relies heavily on SIEM integration, the gateway-based architecture trades flexibility for proven scale. Teams running mature mail flows benefit most from the configurability.
Best for focused phishing defense for SMBs on Microsoft 365
PhishTitan, from CyberSentriq, is a cloud-based email security platform built specifically for Microsoft 365. It catches phishing, malware, and credential-based threats that slip past Microsoft’s native filters. The platform deploys through API integration without disrupting existing M365 controls.
Customers say PhishTitan handles day-to-day phishing well and the support team delivers reliable help when issues come up. User-based phishing reporting also draws praise, fitting cleanly into M365 workflows.
We think PhishTitan makes most sense for SMBs and mid-market organizations on Microsoft 365 that want focused phishing and malware protection without enterprise-tier complexity. The API deployment slots in alongside Microsoft Defender without disrupting your existing controls.
Best for inbound protection with compliance-grade outbound encryption
Trustifi is a cloud-based email security and encryption platform that protects against inbound threats while making compliance-grade encryption simple for outbound messages. It targets Microsoft 365 organizations dealing with sensitive data, including HIPAA-regulated environments. The platform also extends to Google Workspace, with strong multi-tenant support for MSPs.
Customers say setup is fast and the platform handles M365 and Google Workspace cleanly. Many flag the AI-based filtering and easy DLP rules as standouts, and several call out responsive support across standard and MSP deployments. Pricing comes up as competitive.
On the downside, users have flagged that quarantine notifications to end users feel overwhelming, with limited options to disable them. Some customers say the threat simulation feature feels lighter than dedicated awareness platforms.
We think Trustifi makes most sense if your team runs Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace and needs easy-to-use encryption alongside inbound protection. The HIPAA and compliance workflows pay off particularly well for healthcare, legal, and financial services teams.
For MSPs managing multiple tenants, the multi-tenant filtering and central dashboard make management lighter. The combination of inbound security and outbound encryption in one platform keeps your stack consolidated.
Pricing for integrated cloud email security varies by platform, deployment size, and contract terms. Several vendors require a sales conversation for a quote. The prices below reflect publicly available starting rates where published.
| Product | Starting Price | Billing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Material Security
|
From $3.00/user/month
|
Annual
|
|
|
Abnormal AI
|
Contact for quote
|
|
|
|
IRONSCALES
|
From $3.89/user/month
|
Annual
|
|
|
Check Point Email Security (formerly Avanan)
|
Contact for quote
|
|
|
|
Darktrace Email
|
Contact for quote
|
|
|
|
Egress Protect (KnowBe4)
|
Contact for quote
|
|
|
|
Inky (Kaseya)
|
Contact for quote
|
|
|
|
Mimecast ICES
|
Contact for quote
|
|
|
|
PhishTitan, powered by CyberSentriq
|
From $3.50/user/month
|
Annual
|
|
|
Trustifi
|
From $3.00/user/month
|
Annual
|
|
These are the configuration and operational steps we recommend when deploying an integrated cloud email security platform.
API-based deployment preserves your existing mail flow and lets you evaluate detection accuracy without disrupting email delivery.
Observation-only mode lets you tune detection thresholds and reduce false positives before they affect end users.
Phishing protection alone does not cover compromised accounts that attackers use for lateral movement and internal fraud.
Manual triage delays response time; automated pull removes confirmed malicious emails from all affected inboxes in seconds.
Employee reports feed back into detection engines, improving accuracy and giving analysts faster signal on emerging threats.
Early tuning prevents legitimate business emails from being quarantined and builds end-user trust in the platform.
Attackers pivot from email into messaging apps; closing this gap prevents lateral phishing through collaboration channels.
Inbound protection alone does not prevent accidental or malicious data exfiltration through outbound email.
Correlating email threat data with endpoint and network signals gives your SOC a complete picture of attack chains.
Compromised OAuth tokens give attackers persistent access that survives password resets and MFA changes.
Start by confirming your email platform coverage requirements and whether API or gateway deployment fits your stack. Narrow the shortlist based on your primary risk: account takeover, BEC, outbound compliance, or user awareness. Validate detection accuracy and false positive rates against your own mail flow before signing.
Integrated cloud email security (ICES) solutions are cloud-native email security platforms designed to protect cloud-based email platforms, such as Microsoft 365. They protect against sophisticated phishing threats that can bypass the conventional, static controls utilized by SEG services and are much easier to deploy than traditional email security services.
Integrated cloud email security (ICES) solutions seamlessly integrate into the inbox environment and can be deployed through an API connection or by implementing mail flow rules. By directly scanning the inbox environment, ICES effectively address gaps present in SEG services. This capability enables them to scan internal emails, a task that traditional SEGs have struggled to accomplish. Additionally, these tools possess the ability to promptly remove potentially malicious email content from all mailboxes, even after an email has already been delivered.
They often leverage machine learning systems to analyze the content of email messages, including header and body analysis, attachment inspection, and URL sandboxing. As they work inside the inbox, they can add warning banners to email messages, and enable end users to report malicious email content. This can then be automatically quarantined or deleted according to admin policies.
Further reading on email security from Expert Insights — buyers' guides, comparison articles, and platform-specific shortlists.
Joel is the Director of Content and a co-founder at Expert Insights; a rapidly growing media company focussed on covering cybersecurity solutions.
He’s an experienced journalist and editor with 8 years’ experience covering the cybersecurity space. He’s reviewed hundreds of cybersecurity solutions, interviewed hundreds of industry experts and produced dozens of industry reports read by thousands of CISOs and security professionals in topics like IAM, MFA, zero trust, email security, DevSecOps and more.
He also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted. Joel is driven to share his team’s expertise with cybersecurity leaders to help them create more secure business foundations.
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davis, formerly J2Global (NASDAQ: ZD) in 2013.
Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions.
Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.