The Top 10 Email Security Solutions For Google Workspace (G-Suite)
Discover the top Email Security solutions for Google Workspace to protect emails and stop phishing attacks, ransomware and business email compromise.
Written by Joel Witts
Technical Review by Craig MacAlpine
The Top 10 Email Solutions For Google Workspace include:
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Check Point Harmony Email (Avanan)
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5.
Darktrace Email
It is important that companies using Google Workspace for email have robust, multi-layered defenses to provide coverage against advanced emails attacks.
Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) is one of the major cloud-based office productivity suites used by companies all over the world. It provides a whole range of capabilities, including email, document editing, cloud storage, instant messaging, video conferencing and more.
Cyber-criminals are increasingly targeting email communications with a range of attacks including ransomware, and advanced social engineering attempts. These aim to trick individuals into giving up financial information or sensitive data such as login credentials, giving hackers the ability to log in to your business networks. These attacks have made emails the number one data breach vector.
This guide will cover the top email security solutions for use with Google Workspace. We’ll explore different types of platform, including secure email gateways (SEGs), post-delivery protection, email encryption and ICES. For each solution, we’ll cover top features, recommended customers, pricing and customer reviews to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Abnormal AI
Abnormal AI is a cloud-native email security solution that leverages behavioral AI to defend against advanced email threats, including social engineering, malware, and account compromise. The platform provides comprehensive protection against both inbound and internal email threats, surpassing traditional Secure Email Gateways.
Why We Picked Abnormal AI: We selected Abnormal AI for its robust inbound email protection and its unique VendorBase feature, which auto-identifies and scores vendors and partners to prevent supply chain compromise attacks.
Abnormal AI Best Features: Key features include inbound email protection, vendor email compromise prevention, and supply chain compromise protection. The platform creates risk profiles for all email communications, directing safe emails to inboxes and spam to promotions folders. VendorBase scores vendors based on historical email data and enterprise signals. Abnormal maps internal and cross-functional relationships to create a global supply chain graph for real-time third-party risk assessment. The solution deploys natively in the cloud and integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace via API.
What’s great:
- Advanced protection against social engineering and account compromise
- Comprehensive inbound and internal email threat detection
- Real-time risk assessment of third parties
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace
- Utilizes behavioral AI for enhanced security
Pricing: For pricing details, please contact Abnormal AI directly.
Who it’s for: Abnormal AI is ideal for organizations of all sizes using Google Workspace, seeking advanced email security with behavioral AI and supply chain protection.
IRONSCALES
IRONSCALES is a rapidly growing cloud-based email security solution that enhances Gmail security within Google Workspace. It leverages a self-learning AI platform to detect and remediate advanced email threats in milliseconds.
Why We Picked IRONSCALES: We appreciate IRONSCALES for its unique crowdsourced intelligence feature, which allows for real-time phishing threat removal across its user base. Additionally, its seamless integration with Google Workspace provides robust security enhancements.
IRONSCALES Best Features: Key features include AI-driven threat detection, real-time remediation, crowdsourced intelligence for phishing prevention, integrated phishing alert banners, report phishing buttons, personalized phishing simulations, and advanced Security Awareness Training (SAT). The solution integrates effortlessly with Google Workspace.
What’s great:
- Stops 99% of phishing attempts before they reach the inbox
- Empowers employees with tools to report and combat phishing
- Quick and easy setup with Google Workspace
- Crowdsourced intelligence reduces phishing threats across all users
- Intuitive management and customizable policy options
Pricing: For detailed pricing, visit the IRONSCALES website.
Who it’s for: IRONSCALES is ideal for SMBs and enterprises using Google Workspace who require advanced, customizable email security solutions to combat phishing effectively.
Material Security delivers an automated detection and response toolkit for Google Workspace, securing all emails, documents, and accounts. Material detects harmful email content, including phishing and business email compromises, using machine learning algorithms to automatically remove it from the inbox, post-delivery.
Why We Picked Material Security: Material Security is built for Google Workspace, it’s hosted on Google Cloud and it deploys in less than 30-minutes. Material provides granular protection for sensitive data within the inbox, with fully automated phishing protection, and granular controls when needed.
Material Security Best Features: Material detects and remediates email threats like phishing and BEC automatically. The platform scans your full email history for sensitive data—like tax documents or invoices—enforcing MFA to block access during breaches. It also detects password reset links and 2FA codes in real time, and adds a layer of MFA to prevent account compromise attempts. It also monitors file-sharing within Google Drive for additional data security.
What’s great:
- Blocks phishing and BEC with automated remediation
- Locks sensitive emails and files with MFA to prevent breaches even if the email account is hacked
- Stops identity scams like 2FA hijacks across Google Workspace
- Admins can track MFA usage, file sharing, and email risks a well designed admin console
- Integrates with SIEM, SOAR, and identity tools
- Can be deployed across all users, or just for a subset of your VIP executives
- Deploys in 30 minutes via API on Google Cloud
Pricing: Contact Material Security for details.
Who it’s for: Material Security is ideal for businesses using Google Workspace who need a robust, integrated solution to enhance email security, protect sensitive data, and improve their security posture across the entire Google Workspace environment.
Check Point Harmony Email (Avanan)
Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration (formerly Avanan Email Security) is a cloud-native email security solution designed to enhance the protection of collaboration platforms like Google Workspace. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools to defend against phishing, malware, account takeovers, and data loss, integrating seamlessly via API.
Why We Picked Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration: We value Check Point’s advanced machine learning, which analyzes numerous indicators per email to detect and neutralize sophisticated phishing attacks. Its direct API integration with platforms like Google Workspace provides a critical layer of enhanced security beyond native defenses.
Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration Key Features: This solution scans all inbound, outbound, and internal communication traffic to identify and block advanced threats, including zero-day exploits and ransomware. Its features include anti-phishing, malware sandboxing, URL protection, account takeover prevention, data loss prevention (DLP), and encryption. Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration integrates seamlessly with collaboration suites through direct API connections, offering granular reporting and centralized controls via a cloud-based administration console.
What’s Great:
- Employs advanced machine learning algorithms to identify subtle phishing attempts.
- Provides comprehensive protection against a wide spectrum of communication-borne threats.
- Offers seamless and robust API-based integration with platforms like Google Workspace.
- Delivers detailed insights through comprehensive reporting and granular administrative controls.
- Significantly strengthens the inherent security measures within cloud collaboration environments.
Pricing: For detailed and tailored pricing information, contact Check Point directly through their website.
Best Suited For: Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration is ideally suited for organizations that rely on cloud collaboration platforms like Google Workspace and require a robust, multi-layered security solution to effectively protect against advanced and evolving threats while ensuring data security and regulatory compliance.
Darktrace Email
Darktrace Email is an advanced ICES solution that leverages AI to protect against evolving email threats, including phishing, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and supply chain attacks. It also prevents accidental data loss due to misdirected recipients and extends its coverage to a wide range of SaaS applications and network devices.
Why We Picked Darktrace Email: We appreciate Darktrace Email’s AI-driven approach that recognizes behavioral patterns for every employee, enabling real-time threat detection and response. Its self-learning capability ensures protection against both current and future threats.
Darktrace Email Best Features: Key features include AI-driven threat detection, real-time coverage, protection against phishing, BEC, and supply chain attacks, prevention of accidental data loss, and targeted action that understands behavioral context. Integrations include seamless compatibility with Google Workspace via API, extending coverage to SaaS applications and network devices.
What’s great:
- AI-powered real-time threat detection and response
- Extends protection beyond email to SaaS applications and network devices
- Prevents accidental data loss due to misdirected emails
- Fast and straightforward deployment
- Detects and filters unwanted cold calls, spam, and newsletters
Pricing: For detailed pricing, contact Darktrace directly.
Who it’s for: Darktrace Email is best suited for organizations seeking an AI-driven email security solution that adapts to their unique behaviors and extends protection across their digital ecosystem. It is ideal for businesses looking to safeguard against complex email threats and accidental data loss.
Mimecast
Mimecast is a market-leading email security vendor, renowned for its enterprise-focused range of email security platforms and services. It offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that defend organizations against sophisticated email-based threats, including spear-phishing, malware, and spam.
Why We Picked Mimecast: We appreciate Mimecast’s cloud-based secure email gateway, which provides robust protection against inbound email threats. Its granular admin policies and multiple threat detection engines enhance security effectiveness.
Mimecast Best Features: Key features include email filtering, threat intelligence, DMARC services, security awareness training, cloud archiving, and email continuity. It offers time-of-click URL protection, advanced attachment sandboxing, impersonation and spoofing protection, and browser isolation. Mimecast integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, providing an essential email security, data assurance, and continuity platform.
What’s great:
- Robust protection against spear-phishing, malware, and spam
- Granular admin policies for customized security
- Comprehensive platform with multiple threat detection engines
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace
- Global reach, securing 36,000 organizations worldwide
Pricing: For detailed pricing, contact Mimecast directly.
Who it’s for: Mimecast is a comprehensive email security solution best suited for large organizations seeking powerful protection against advanced email-based threats.
Proofpoint Core Email Protection
Proofpoint Core Email Protection is a market leading email security platform designed to protect against the full spectrum of email attacks. Proofpoint’s email security portfolio includes a secure email gateway, ML/AI based automated remediation, security awareness training, email encryption and email archiving for any email platform.
Why We Picked Proofpoint Core Email Protection: Proofpoint’s advantage is the Nexus Threat Intelligence platform, which provides crowdsourced data from 3 trillion emails yearly. This enables robust, crowdsourced protection against even highly sophisticated email threats. The platform offers multiple deployment options and additional features like email DLP.
Proofpoint Core Email Protection Best Features: Key features include real-time phishing and malware detection, automated remediation, and granular policy controls, DMARC/DKIM/SPF enforcement, and data loss prevention (DLP). The platform supports on-premises, cloud, SEG, and API deployments, integrating with Google Workspace via APIs.
What’s great:
- Industry-leading intelligence from 3 trillion emails yearly
- Stops 99.99% of phishing, BEC, and malware threats
- Market leading email security portfolio including archiving, encryption, SAT, DLP
- Supports on-premises, cloud, SEG, or API deployments
- Easy-to-manage, highly granular platform
- Protects 85% of Fortune 100 organizations
Pricing: Contact Proofpoint for pricing details, as costs vary based on organization size and deployment.
Who it’s for: Proofpoint Core Email Protection best suited for enterprises with over 500 users looking for a trusted email security and compliance platform to target advanced email threats such as spear-phishing and ransomware. Proofpoint is an enterprise-grade platform, protecting 85% of Fortune 100 organization.
Sublime Security
Sublime Security is a programmable cloud security platform for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace that blocks inbound email attacks, hunts for email threats and auto-triages end user reports. It evaluates all email messages using query language and then takes action based on admin controls, e.g. sending to quarantine or inserting a warning banner.
Why We Picked Sublime: Sublime stands out for transparent, customizable email filtering rules, which avoid a ‘black box’ approach. The platform offers powerful remediation automations that minimize manual email investigation. Sublime is easy-to-manage and quick to deploy.
Sublime Best Features: Real-time phishing and malware detection, transparent, automated remediations, and AI-powered policy automation. The AI-assisted policy builder simplifies rule creation. Detailed analytics and reporting ensure remediation transparency and compliance.
What’s great:
- Transparent, customizable policies and detection engines using Sublime’s MQL and GenAI
- Real-time detection of advanced email phishing, malware, and BEC
- Adaptive threat engine works to block threats and prevent false positives
- Pro-active AI powered threat hunting to discover missed attacks in the inbox
- Automated remediation and end user investigation workflows
- Deployment includes IMAP and APIs for M365 and Google Workspace
- Email and Slack alerts for suspicious messages that need further investigation
- Flexible cloud-native and self-hosted deployments
Pricing: A free version of Sublime is available for single email accounts. Contact Sublime Security for enterprise pricing.
Who it’s for: Sublime is ideal for enterprises using Google Workspace seeking flexible, highly customizable email security controls. The solution provides transparent automated remediations, flexible deployments, and robust inbound email protection against threats like phishing and malware.
TitanHQ Email Security
TitanHQ Email Security is a robust anti-spam solution designed for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, effectively filtering and safeguarding organizations from spam and malware. It serves over 12,500 customers and 2,500 Managed Service Providers (MSPs), offering advanced email protection against phishing, ransomware, and malware.
Why We Picked TitanHQ Email Security: We appreciate its AI-driven phishing protection, which provides “zero-day” threat intelligence. The solution’s multi-layered approach detects over 99% of spam, ensuring comprehensive email security.
TitanHQ Email Security Best Features: Key features include AI-driven phishing protection, double anti-virus protection, data leak prevention, and Real-time Blackhole Lists (RBLs). It also supports Microsoft 365 integration, employs verification mechanisms like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and offers granular content filtering, attachment blocking, and customizable policies. Outbound scanning prevents IP blacklisting, and the platform is easy to set up, requiring no additional hardware or software.
What’s great:
- High spam detection rate of over 99%
- AI-driven “zero-day” threat intelligence
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365
- User-friendly management with extensive quarantine reports
- Quick setup without additional hardware or software
Pricing: For detailed pricing, visit the SpamTitan website.
Who it’s for: TitanHQ Email Security is ideal for organizations using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 seeking a straightforward, effective solution to enhance their email security infrastructure. It is particularly suitable for businesses requiring robust protection against advanced email threats.
Trustifi
Trustifi’s InboundShield is a cloud-based email security solution that effectively filters inbound emails to protect against a variety of threats including phishing, spoofing, and malware. It leverages sophisticated AI and dynamic engines to identify and block email-based attacks, making it a robust choice for businesses seeking comprehensive email security.
Why We Picked Trustifi’s InboundShield: We appreciate its multilayered approach to security, utilizing AI for content analysis and sandbox environments for scanning files and attachments. This ensures thorough protection against inbound email threats.
Trustifi’s InboundShield Best Features: Key features include AI-powered threat detection, sandboxing for file and attachment scanning, anomaly detection for links and requests, quarantine management, advanced whitelisting and blacklisting, customizable inbound rules, and direct threat removal from inboxes. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace.
What’s great:
- Sophisticated AI and dynamic engines effectively block email threats
- Multilayered protection with sandboxing and AI content analysis
- Easy deployment and native integration with Google Workspace
- Comprehensive quarantine management and customizable rules
Pricing: For pricing details, visit Trustifi’s website directly.
Who it’s for: Trustifi’s InboundShield is ideal for organizations using Google Workspace, particularly those in healthcare, legal, and finance sectors, seeking an all-in-one, easy-to-use solution for email security and encryption.
Other Email Security Services
Integrated email security solution for Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Google Workspace.
Robust cloud-based email gateway designed to combat email compromise and phishing.
Cloud-based email protection with API-first security and integrated Zero Trust.
Cloud-native email security platform with AI-driven detection, user training, and remediation.
How to Choose the Right Email Security Solution?
Selecting the right email security solution for Google Workspace involves aligning the tool with your organization’s threat landscape, compliance needs, and Google Workspace environment. Consider these key steps to make an informed choice:
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Assess Your Email Threat Profile: Evaluate the primary threats targeting your Google Workspace users, such as phishing, malware, or Business Email Compromise (BEC), and consider your organization’s size and industry-specific risks.
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Define Integration and Compliance Needs: Ensure compatibility with Google Workspace’s APIs and features (e.g., Gmail, Google Drive), and factor in regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) to maintain compliance and seamless functionality.
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Prioritize Scalability: Choose a solution that supports your current email volume and user base, with the ability to scale for business growth or evolving threat sophistication.
Focus on critical features to ensure robust protection and operational efficiency:
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Advanced Threat Detection: Look for AI-driven analysis, real-time URL scanning, and attachment sandboxing to block phishing, malware, and zero-day threats targeting Google Workspace users.
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Native Google Workspace Integration: Prioritize solutions with seamless Gmail integration, supporting features like single sign-on (SSO), automated policy enforcement, and Google API-driven data protection for Drive and Calendar.
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DMARC and Email Authentication: Ensure support for DMARC, SPF, and DKIM to prevent domain spoofing and enhance email deliverability, with tools to monitor and enforce policies.
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User Behavior Analytics and Training: Verify features like anomaly detection for compromised accounts and integrated phishing simulations to educate users on spotting threats.
Balance security with usability to maximize effectiveness:
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User-Friendly Interface: Avoid complex platforms that burden IT teams, opting for intuitive dashboards and automated workflows that simplify threat management and policy configuration.
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Vendor Support Quality: Select providers with responsive support, Google Workspace expertise, and resources like setup guides or 24/7 assistance to resolve issues quickly.
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Testing and Trials: Use demos, free trials (e.g., offered by Barracuda or Proofpoint), or user reviews to validate performance and fit before committing.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Our guide to the leading email security solutions for Google Workspace provides a comprehensive overview of platforms designed to protect organizations from email-based threats in Google’s cloud ecosystem. The article evaluates tools based on features like advanced threat detection, native Google Workspace integration, DMARC authentication, and user behavior analytics, catering to businesses of all sizes. It emphasizes the importance of balancing robust security, scalability, and usability to safeguard Gmail, Drive, and other Workspace services, ensuring compliance and resilience against phishing, malware, and BEC in a dynamic threat landscape.
Key Takeaways:
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Comprehensive Threat Protection: Top solutions use AI and real-time analysis to block phishing, malware, and BEC targeting Google Workspace users.
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Seamless Integration: Choose platforms with native Google Workspace support for streamlined deployment and enhanced data protection across Gmail and Drive.
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User-Centric Security: Prioritize tools with analytics and training to detect compromised accounts and strengthen employee awareness.
What Do You Think?
We’ve explored the leading email security solutions for Google Workspace, highlighting how these tools protect your email environment and enhance Google’s native defenses. Now, we’d love to hear your perspective—what’s your experience with email security platforms for Google Workspace? Are features like AI-driven threat detection, DMARC enforcement, or Google API integrations critical for your organization’s security strategy?
Selecting the right email security solution can transform how you secure your Google Workspace environment, but challenges like integration complexity or user adoption can arise. Have you found a standout platform that’s bolstered your defenses, or encountered hurdles with scalability or usability? Share your insights to help other organizations navigate the email security landscape and choose the best tool for their needs.
Let us know which solution you recommend to help us improve our list!
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About Email Security For Google Workspace (FAQs)
Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) is a comprehensive suite of tools for managing your work environment. Included in the suite is Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Docs, Drive, Slides, and many others. There are 14 applications in total. The solution is designed to manage your entire work needs. This utility also makes it a worthwhile target for attackers.
If an attacker can access one of these applications, they may be able to continue their attack laterally.
For instance, if your Google Account or Gmail account is jeopardised, it may be used as part of a business email compromise (BEC) attack. Your authentic email address will be used to convince other users that the attackers requests are valid. They may send emails to your contacts that install malware or attempt to exploit money from them.
Alternatively, attackers may harvest data from your Sheets, Docs, Slides, and Forms applications. Depending on the type of data that was stolen, attackers could have valuable information on your customers, business plan, or finances. In some cases, your organization could be liable for the data leak. If this data is not copied, it could be edited or deleted, preventing your organization from operating as it should.
Yes. There are several features that Google has included to give you greater control, and peace of mind, over your Google Workspace accounts. These features include:
- Administrator has configuration control to ensure that authentication, asset protection, and operational expectations are met
- Conforms to ISO/IEC 27001, 27017, 27018, SOC 2/3, FedRAMP, PCI DSS
- You own your data, not Google
- At-rest and in-transit data encryption
- Enhanced security with the use of FIDO2 security keys to prevent account takeovers and phishing
- The Enterprise package unlocks several security tools and additional advanced email security measures like enhanced security and management controls, eDiscovery, retention, Vault, and advanced endpoint management
To set up basic and enterprise email for Google Workspace, start by logging into the admin console using your credentials. Google Workspace admins can access several features within the security menu based on their licensing levels. User access, establishing email encryption, defining DLP rules, enabling automation for incident response, and pushing down policies to the various Gmail Workspace accounts all become managed through this security menu.
For more information on Google’s native security features, read their white paper here.
When evaluating email security solutions for Google Workspace, consider the following factors:
- Cost: What is the total cost of ownership, including license fees, cloud storage, and training expenses for security operations engineers?
- Consolidation: Can the solution consolidate multiple security features into a single platform?
- Ease of use: How easy is it for users to adopt and use the solution?
- Effectiveness: How effective is the solution in detecting and blocking advanced threats like malicious emails, including spear phishing, and other sophisticated phishing tactics?
- Integration: How well does the solution integrate with Google Workspace and other third-party providers?
By considering these factors, organizations can make an informed decision when evaluating email security solutions for Google Workspace.
There are several ways to measure the effectiveness of an email security solution:
- Phishing simulation results: Track the percentage of employees who fall victim to simulated phishing attacks before and after implementation to assess improvement.
- Training completion rates: Monitor the percentage of employees who complete the training modules within the specified timeframe.
- Knowledge assessments: Use quizzes or tests to evaluate employees’ understanding of the training material.
- Security incident reports: Analyze the number and type of security incidents caused by human error related to email before and after implementation to determine if there is a reduction.
- Employee feedback: Gather feedback from employees about the training content and delivery methods to identify areas for improvement.
- Compliance audits: Verify that the email security solution meets the requirements of relevant regulations and industry standards.
Google Workspace users face a range of email-based threats, including:
- Phishing: Deceptive emails designed to steal credentials or sensitive information.
- Malware: Malicious software delivered via email attachments or links.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC): Attacks aimed at tricking organizations into making fraudulent wire transfers.
- Spoofing: Emails disguised to appear as if they are from a trusted source.
- Spam: Unsolicited bulk emails that can carry threats or waste productivity.
Google Workspace administrators can implement several measures to bolster email security:
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security, requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods.
- Implement strong spam filters: Utilize advanced filters to block unwanted and potentially malicious emails.
- Configure advanced threat protection: Enable features like sandboxing and behavioral analysis to detect sophisticated threats.
- Educate users: Provide regular security awareness training to help users recognize and avoid phishing and other email attacks.
- Enforce data loss prevention (DLP) policies: Prevent sensitive data from being shared via email.
- Regularly review security settings: Ensure that all security features are properly configured and up-to-date.
Written By
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.
Technical Review
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO and founder of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: 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.