Best 9 Email Security Solutions For Google Workspace (2026)
We reviewed the leading email security platforms built for Google Workspace on how effectively they extend native protection, the depth of BEC detection, and how well they handle threats that arrive through legitimate-looking senders.
Written by
Joel Witts
Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Quick Summary
Google’s native email security controls are a starting point, not a complete defense. Third-party email security solutions for Google Workspace add behavioral AI detection, BEC prevention, and post-delivery remediation that Gmail’s native filters do not provide. We reviewed the top solutions and found Material Security, IRONSCALES, and Abnormal AI to be the strongest on extending native Workspace protection and BEC detection accuracy.
Google Workspace delivers a clean, collaborative email platform. Native security catches obvious threats. What it doesn’t catch is nuanced. Sophisticated business email compromise targeting your finance team. Vendor account takeovers where the email looks legitimate because it actually came from a legitimate vendor. Lateral phishing spreading internally because it came from someone people recognize. These attacks slip past Google’s native filters because they rely on context Google doesn’t have.
The market offers multiple approaches to fill those gaps. Traditional secure email gateways apply rules and signatures. Behavioral AI learns your communication patterns to spot anomalies. Transparent detection lets you see and modify the rules driving decisions. Each approach handles different threat models and team capabilities differently.
We evaluated multiple email security solutions built for Google Workspace across cloud environments, evaluating threat detection accuracy, deployment friction, behavioral learning time, and operational simplicity. We reviewed customer feedback from organizations managing sophisticated attack surfaces and teams lacking dedicated security staff. What we found: the gap between native Google protections and what threat actors actually send is significant. More importantly, closing that gap requires matching your threat model to the right detection approach.
This guide maps email security solutions to specific threat scenarios so you can choose the right approach for your organization’s attack surface.
Our Recommendations
Your choice depends on whether you need traditional gateway filtering, behavioral AI detection, or integrated compliance tools.
- Best For Cost Efficiency: Material Security MFA enforcement on sensitive historical emails blocks data access during active breaches.
- Best For Centralized Management: IRONSCALES Catches phishing attempts that slip past Microsoft Defender and native Google security.
- Best For Performance: Abnormal AI VendorBase scores third-party vendors and flags supply chain compromise attempts automatically.
- Best For Advanced Features: Check Point Harmony Email (Avanan) Scans inbound, outbound, and internal traffic to catch lateral phishing threats.
- Best For Enterprise Scale: Darktrace Email Self-learning AI builds behavioral baselines for each employee to catch contextual threats.
Material Security is a cloud workspace security platform built specifically for organizations running Google Workspace.
It tackles email, identity, and data security threats, with a multi-layered platform that provides inbound threat detection, account compromise protection, and automated threat response for the email channel.
Material is deeply integrated with Google Workspace through an API: no MX record changes, no mail routing disruption. It sits on top of what Google provides and extends it.
Material Security Key Features
Material’s platform uses AI agentic automation and LLM analysis to detect and automatically block advanced email threats hitting Google Workspace, like VIP impersonation and business email compromise. Material also applies policy-based step-up authentication to sensitive content sitting in the mailbox — tax documents, password reset links, OTPs, confidential files — as a standing control, not a reaction to a detected threat. Admins configure which content is protected, how old a message must be before protection applies, and how long an unlocked session remains open.
The result: a compromised Google account doesn’t automatically hand an attacker everything in the mailbox, or the keys to the rest of the environment.
File security permissions controls extend that protection into Google Drive, correlating file sharing activity with email and identity signals for a complete picture of what’s exposed. Identity security controls restrict what a compromised account can actually do across the workspace. And the OAuth Threat Remediation Agent continuously monitors every third-party connection in the environment — not just what permissions an app claimed when it was granted access, but what it’s actually doing — and remediates malicious or overly-permissive grants automatically. In an environment where employees are constantly connecting AI tools and third-party apps to their Google Workspace, this is the control most organizations don’t have and urgently need.
What Customers Say
Material’s account compromise protection is highly effective at slowing down attacks and limiting data exposure, according to current customers. Security teams say the automated remediation and phishing investigation tools speed up incident analysis.
Customers also report that Material integrates directly with Google Workspace, offering helpful reporting and intuitive controls for managing GWS identities.
Some teams do state that rules configuration can be challenging without in-house email security expertise. But the Material support team is responsive and can help address these issues.
Our Take
Google Workspace has strong native security — built by a company that takes infrastructure seriously. But native controls were designed to secure Google’s platform, not to provide a complete security posture for every organization running on it. The gaps are well-documented: limited visibility into post-compromise account behavior, no correlation between email, identity, and file activity, and virtually no insight into the OAuth connections accumulating across the environment as employees adopt AI tools and third-party apps.
Material is built to close those gaps — natively, without disrupting anything Google already does well. Inbound detection catches threats that bypass Gmail’s filters. Policy-based data protection locks down sensitive mailbox content regardless of how an attacker got in. Identity controls contain the blast radius of a compromised account. And the OAuth Threat Remediation Agent provides continuous, behavioral monitoring of every third-party connection in the environment — a capability with no direct equivalent in the market.
For organizations running Google Workspace, Material is the security layer the platform was always missing.
Strengths
- Purpose-built for Google Workspace, covering email, identity, files, and accounts in a single platform
- Policy-based step-up authentication protects sensitive mailbox content as a standing control — not a reactive measure
- Catches and remediates sophisticated email attacks within Google Workspace
- AI-powered investigation handles user-reported phishing triage automatically
- Continuously monitors and remediates OAuth connections across the workspace, including runtime behavior — not just stated permissions
Cautions
- Some users report that advanced rules and features require additional configuration; the support team is consistently praised for helping teams get there
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 found it works well for Google-first teams that want strong post-delivery protection with minimal setup.
IRONSCALES Key Features
IRONSCALES integrates directly with Google Workspace via API, with no MX record changes or mail flow disruption required. The platform builds a baseline of normal email behavior and flags suspicious email activity in real time. Employees can report a suspicious email with a single click directly from Gmail, which is fed back into detection across the entire IRONSCALES customer base of over 17,000 organizations. Dynamic warning banners are placed on suspected email content. IRONSCALES’ Themis virtual SOC conducts investigation and remediation autonomously, providing admins context on email threats.
IRONSCALES uses AV engines and URL scanning to provide strong protection against malicious links and attachments. The platform also provides spam filtering and grey-mail protection. IRONSCALES provides deepfake meeting protection that extends coverage to Google Meet. IRONSCALES has also introduced a predictive red team agent that scrapes an organization’s public footprint to generate likely attack scenarios and test them against the platform’s own detection engine. The platform offers built-in phishing simulations that use AI to mimic attackers’ real-world tactics.
Our Take
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 running Google Workspace and looking for effective phishing and account compromise detection beyond native protections, IRONSCALES delivers. The free Starter tier offers phishing simulation and testing for up to 500 mailboxes, though full email protection requires a paid plan.
Strengths
- Integrates directly with Google Workspace via API with no MX changes required
- Adaptive AI plus crowdsourced intelligence catches phishing that native Google protections miss
- Deepfake meeting protection extends coverage to Google Meet
- Themis virtual SOC reduces phishing remediation time from hours to seconds
- Built-in phishing simulations and awareness training remove the need for a separate platform
Cautions
- IRONSCALES has added new features across the management console, so admins will need time to find their way around
Abnormal AI
Abnormal AI is a behavioral AI email security platform for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 that goes beyond traditional secure email gateways. We think the VendorBase capability is the standout here. It scores third-party vendors and detects supply chain compromise attempts in real time, which is a gap most tools ignore entirely.
Abnormal AI Key Features
The platform builds risk profiles for every email relationship and maps internal, cross-functional, and vendor connections into a global supply chain graph. This baseline lets it catch account takeovers from trusted external contacts. In competitive testing, customers report Abnormal was the only tool that flagged hijacked vendor accounts being used for fraudulent requests. Protection extends beyond email into connected SaaS apps like Slack, Workday, and Salesforce. Deployment is via API with no mail flow changes required.
What Customers Say
Customers consistently highlight major time savings and reduced phishing volume reaching end users. Implementation gets high marks across company sizes from mid-market to large enterprise. Support teams earn praise for patience during transitions from legacy gateways. Some customer reviews note that heavy automation means admins forget interface navigation between infrequent logins, which speaks to effectiveness but requires some relearning when manual intervention is needed.
Our Take
We think Abnormal AI is well worth considering if your threat model includes business email compromise and vendor impersonation. The VendorBase supply chain scoring fills a gap most tools leave open. The behavioral AI catches attacks that signature-based tools miss entirely, with minimal ongoing tuning required after the initial baseline learning period.
Strengths
- VendorBase scores third-party vendors and flags supply chain compromise attempts
- Behavioral AI catches account takeovers from trusted contacts other tools miss
- Deploys via API in hours with no mail flow changes
- Minimal ongoing tuning required after initial baseline learning period
Cautions
- Customers note heavy automation means interface navigation is forgotten between logins
- Pricing requires direct contact, making upfront budget planning harder
Check Point Email Security
Check Point Email Security, formerly known as Harmony Email & Collaboration, is a cloud-native security layer for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 that deploys via API. We think the cross-channel scanning is the differentiator here. The platform scans inbound, outbound, and internal traffic with machine learning, catching lateral phishing and compromised accounts spreading threats inside your organization.
Check Point Email Security Key Features
Scanning internal emails catches lateral phishing and compromised accounts that inbound-only gateways miss entirely. Sandboxing for malware and URL protection adds depth beyond basic content filtering. Setup takes just a few clicks for cloud environments. The centralized admin console provides granular controls and reporting from one place. DLP and encryption capabilities round out the feature set for compliance-heavy industries.
What Customers Say
Customers praise the simple interface and quick integration. Account teams get strong marks for responsiveness. Government and healthcare organizations highlight how rarely emails bypass the filters during normal operations. Some customer reviews note that the reporting interface creates difficulties when pulling detailed threat analytics. Based on customer feedback, default configuration may leave protection gaps without additional tuning.
Our Take
We think Check Point Email Security is well worth considering for organizations already invested in the Check Point ecosystem or those wanting broad coverage without mail flow changes. If you need internal email scanning and DLP alongside phishing protection, this consolidates multiple capabilities from a single console. It’s a good option for mid-market budgets.
Strengths
- Scans inbound, outbound, and internal traffic to catch lateral phishing
- API deployment connects in minutes with no mail flow disruption
- Sandboxing and URL protection add layers beyond basic content filtering
- Centralized admin console simplifies management across collaboration platforms
Cautions
- Reviews flag the reporting interface creates difficulties for detailed analytics
- Customers note default configuration may leave gaps without additional tuning
Darktrace Email
Darktrace Email is an AI-powered security platform that learns behavioral patterns for every employee to detect threats in context across Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. We think the self-learning AI approach is the standout here. Instead of relying on static rules or signatures, the platform builds individual baselines for each user, flagging anomalies like unusual access locations or atypical sending patterns.
Darktrace Email Key Features
The context-aware detection handles sophisticated BEC and spear phishing that signature-based tools struggle with. Coverage extends beyond the inbox; misdirected email prevention stops accidental data loss before it happens. The platform also monitors SaaS applications and network devices through the same AI engine, giving unified visibility across your digital environment. Deployment is via native API integration with no MX changes, and most organizations are running within minutes.
What Customers Say
Customers consistently report dramatic improvements during proof-of-concept trials, with multiple teams describing catching hundreds of threats their existing gateways missed. Support and training teams earn strong marks for hands-on assistance during rollout. Some customer reviews note that the platform learning curve takes time for teams new to behavioral security tools. Based on customer feedback, the AI baseline needs weeks to fully understand your organization’s normal patterns.
Our Take
We think Darktrace Email is well worth considering for organizations ready to invest in AI-driven detection that adapts over time. If you already use Darktrace for network monitoring, adding email creates a unified view across your environment. The extension into SaaS apps and network devices gives broader coverage than most email-only tools.
Strengths
- Self-learning AI builds behavioral baselines for each employee individually
- Extends protection beyond email to SaaS applications and network devices
- Misdirected email prevention stops accidental data loss before sending
- POC trials consistently catch threats that existing gateways miss
Cautions
- Users report the AI baseline needs weeks to fully learn normal patterns
- Customers note the platform has a learning curve for teams new to behavioral tools
FortiMail Email Security
FortiMail Email Security is a multi-layered email security platform with flexible deployment across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. We think the native integration with Fortinet Security Fabric is the key advantage here. For organizations already running Fortinet firewalls or endpoint tools, adding email security creates unified visibility and automated response across the stack. The platform uses ML and LLMs alongside FortiGuard threat intelligence for real-time detection.
FortiMail Email Security Key Features
FortiMail Cloud SaaS scans 100% of traffic to detect phishing, BEC, malware, account takeover, and zero-day threats across Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other cloud email platforms. Deployment flexibility sets it apart; you can run it on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid. MSPs and MSSPs benefit from multi-tenant support and managed security services built into the platform. The lightweight agent handles inbound and outbound scanning without noticeable performance impact. Fortinet has expanded the suite into FortiMail Workspace Security, adding protection for web browsers and collaboration tools.
What Customers Say
Customers praise the reduction in spam and malicious emails reaching inboxes. Integration with third-party tools works smoothly, and setup is straightforward enough that teams deploy without dedicated specialists. Some customer reviews note that the interface feels dated compared to newer cloud-native tools. Based on customer feedback, reporting functions lack depth for teams wanting detailed threat analytics.
Our Take
We think FortiMail is a good option to consider if you’re already running Fortinet infrastructure and want email security that integrates natively with your existing stack. The deployment flexibility across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments is a genuine advantage. Competitive pricing makes it accessible for mid-market budgets. Organizations without existing Fortinet investment will find better value elsewhere.
Strengths
- Native Fortinet Security Fabric integration creates unified visibility
- Flexible deployment supports on-premises, cloud, and hybrid equally well
- Multi-tenant support and managed services built in for MSPs and MSSPs
- Competitive pricing compared to cloud-only alternatives
Cautions
- Reviews mention the interface feels dated compared to cloud-native competitors
- Customers note reporting functions lack depth for detailed analytics
Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Mimecast Advanced Email Security is an enterprise email security platform that combines AI-powered detection with deep policy customization for organizations running Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. We think the Targeted Threat Protection suite is where Mimecast earns its reputation. Impersonation protection catches BEC and CEO fraud attempts that basic filters miss. In March 2026, Mimecast launched full API deployment and expanded integrations to over 350 security vendors.
Mimecast Advanced Email Security Key Features
URL rewriting and attachment sandboxing work effectively out of the box with minimal tuning required. The policy customization runs deep; you can build layered defenses tailored to different user groups, risk profiles, and threat types. Integration with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 is smooth, and implementation causes minimal disruption to existing mail flow. The broader Mimecast ecosystem integrates archiving, continuity, and security awareness training alongside core threat protection.
What Customers Say
Customers praise the consistent, low-noise protection and clear reporting. Small security teams appreciate that daily monitoring and threat investigation stay manageable. The ability to review suspicious emails before delivery gives analysts control over borderline cases. Some customer reviews note that the admin interface feels clunky with settings buried in nested menus. Based on customer feedback, URL protection runs aggressive by default, sometimes breaking legitimate links.
Our Take
We think Mimecast is well worth considering for enterprise security teams who need full email protection with deep customization and can invest time learning the platform. The March 2026 update addressing API deployment and 350+ vendor integrations strengthens its position. If you’re a smaller team wanting something simpler, this might be more platform than you need.
Strengths
- Targeted Threat Protection catches BEC and impersonation that basic filters miss
- Deep policy customization supports layered defenses across user groups
- Now connects with 350+ security vendors following March 2026 update
- Integrates archiving, continuity, and training into a single platform
Cautions
- Reviews mention the admin interface is clunky with nested menu structures
- Users report URL protection defaults are aggressive, occasionally breaking links
Sublime Security
Sublime Security is a programmable email security platform that replaces black-box detection with transparent, customizable rules for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. We think the rule-based approach is refreshing for security teams who want to own their detection logic. You see exactly why an email was flagged or blocked, with no guessing at vendor logic.
Sublime Security Key Features
Sublime’s MQL query language lets you write custom detections, build automated triage workflows, and integrate alerts into Slack or email. The AI-assisted policy builder combines MQL with GenAI to simplify rule creation without sacrificing control. Automated remediation workflows handle most incidents without manual intervention. End user report triage runs automatically. Proactive threat hunting surfaces attacks that slipped past initial detection. Over 700 built-in rules give teams a strong starting point. Flexible deployment supports cloud-native or self-hosted environments.
What Customers Say
Customers highlight the POC experience as eye-opening, with multiple teams discovering threats their existing tools missed within days of deployment. Support earns consistent praise for responsiveness and technical depth throughout implementation and production. The management portal gets marks for clarity and quick configuration. Some customer reviews note that the query language requires investment to use effectively for custom rules.
Our Take
We think Sublime is well worth considering if your security team wants full visibility into detection logic and the ability to tune rules across your environment. If you prefer transparency over convenience, this delivers. The free tier for single accounts lets you evaluate before committing to enterprise pricing.
Strengths
- Full transparency into detection logic replaces black-box vendor decisions
- MQL query language with AI assistance enables precise custom rule creation
- POC deployments consistently surface threats existing tools missed
- Flexible deployment supports cloud-native or self-hosted environments
Cautions
- Reviews note the query language requires investment to use effectively
- Enterprise pricing requires direct contact with no published tiers
TitanHQ, powered by CyberSentriq
TitanHQ Email Security is an anti-spam and email filtering platform built for straightforward deployment without dedicated hardware. We think the price-to-protection ratio makes it one of the strongest picks for SMBs and MSPs who want solid inbound filtering without a steep learning curve. The platform serves over 12,500 customers and 2,500 MSPs, with cloud and on-premises deployment options.
TitanHQ Email Security Key Features
Setup requires no additional hardware or software, and the interface stays manageable even for smaller IT teams. Multi-domain management works smoothly for MSPs handling multiple clients from one console. The protection stack includes dual antivirus engines, sandboxing, and DLP capabilities. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC verification handles authentication. The vendor claims over 99% spam detection rates, and most users report minimal false positives in daily operation. At $1.95 per user monthly at 250 users, the pricing stays accessible.
What Customers Say
Customers praise the user-friendly interface and quick implementation. Pre-sales demos and pricing conversations earn positive marks for being straightforward. Long-term customers report reliable performance over multiple years. Some customer reviews note that email delivery delays occur during processing spikes. Based on customer feedback, support has occasionally directed users to bypass filters rather than resolve underlying problems.
Our Take
We think TitanHQ is well worth considering for SMBs and MSPs prioritizing value and simplicity over advanced features. The dual-engine approach and included sandboxing put it ahead of most single-engine solutions at this price point. If you need affordable multi-tenant management, this delivers. Organizations with strict delivery timing requirements should test thoroughly during evaluation.
Strengths
- Dual antivirus engines and sandboxing provide layered threat protection
- Multi-domain management simplifies MSP operations from a single console
- Quick setup with no additional hardware or software required
- Competitive pricing at $1.95 per user monthly makes it accessible for SMBs
Cautions
- Users report email delivery delays during processing spikes
- Customers note support has bypassed filters rather than resolving root issues
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.
A comprehensive email security solution offering inbound and outbound account protection.
Multi-layered content analysis and reputation analysis provides effective security and protection.
What To Look For: Google Workspace Email Security Checklist
Email security evaluation for Google Workspace depends on your threat model, team capacity, and organizational complexity. Here are the critical questions:
- Threat Detection Approach: Does the platform use signatures and rules, behavioral AI, or transparent detection you can customize? Can you see why something was flagged or is it a black box? Does behavioral AI need weeks to learn your environment? For teams without security staff, can the vendor tune policies on your behalf?
- Deployment and Integration: Does it integrate via API without disrupting mail flow, or does it require changes to Google Workspace? Can you deploy it in under an hour or does it require weeks of configuration? Does it scan only inbound mail or also outbound and internal traffic?
- Post-Compromise Controls: Beyond blocking inbound threats, does it scan historical email for sensitive data? Can it enforce additional authentication on sensitive messages during active breaches? Does it lock down Google Drive sharing alongside email?
- User Adoption and Friction: Does it require user action to report phishing, or is reporting built in? Do automated simulations train users or frustrate them? Does the platform integrate with Google’s native tools or create parallel workflows?
- Specialized Threat Detection: For BEC protection, does it map communication relationships and detect vendor account takeovers? For supply chain risks, does it score third-party vendors? For compliance, does it integrate with SIEM and SOAR tools?
- Operational Overhead: After deployment, how much ongoing tuning do you need? Can smaller teams manage it, or does it require dedicated security staff? Does the platform support a hands-off managed service option?
Match these criteria against your threat model. Organizations dealing with sophisticated BEC benefit from behavioral AI or relationship mapping. Teams without security staff need platforms that work out of the box. Security engineers wanting control should prioritize transparent detection. This alignment drives the difference between solutions that add value and tools that create operational burden.
How We Compared The Best Email Security Solutions For Google Workspace
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team dedicated to researching, testing, and evaluating cybersecurity and IT solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Our assessments are based entirely on product performance and real-world operational fit. We mapped the complete Google Workspace email security vendor market to ensure full coverage.
We evaluated 9 email security platforms designed for Google Workspace, assessing threat detection accuracy, deployment ease, behavioral learning periods, operational overhead, and team capacity requirements. Each solution was tested in Google Workspace environments simulating real attack scenarios: business email compromise, vendor impersonation and lateral phishing, plus account compromise.
Beyond hands-on testing, we conducted extensive market research and reviewed customer feedback from organizations managing sophisticated attack surfaces and teams with limited security resources. We interviewed product teams to understand detection methodologies and architectural decisions. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. No vendor can influence our testing process or conclusions.
This guide is updated quarterly. For complete details on our research methodology, visit our How We Test & Review Products.
The Bottom Line
Email security platform selection depends on matching threat detection approach to your threat model and team capacity.
If business email compromise and vendor account takeovers keep your security team awake, Abnormal AI maps communication relationships and detects supply chain attacks other tools miss.
If you need strong phishing protection with minimal overhead, IRONSCALES deploys in under an hour with crowdsourced threat intelligence handling the heavy lifting.
If you want post-compromise data protection beyond inbound scanning, Material Security enforces MFA on sensitive historical emails during active breaches.
If behavioral AI and learning your organizational patterns matters, Darktrace Email extends threat detection across email, SaaS, and network devices.
If security engineers want transparent, customizable detection rules, Sublime Security makes every decision visible and editable through its MQL query language.
Read the individual reviews above to understand deployment complexity, threat detection approaches, and the operational trade-offs for your environment.
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 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.