The New Frontier of Email Defense
Email remains the #1 threat vector. As organizations migrate to the cloud, the paradigm is shifting from perimeter gateways to integrated AI-native security layers.
📈 The 2025 Threat Vector
90% of sophisticated cyber-attacks start with a single email. While malware is decreasing, social engineering and identity-based attacks are at an all-time high. This visualization demonstrates why modern defenses must look beyond simple file signatures and toward behavioral intent.
Of Attacks Via Phishing
Projected Annual BEC Loss
Initial Attack Composition
BEC Financial Escalation
Evolution: From MX Gateways to Graph APIs
Traditional Secure Email Gateways (SEG) rely on MX-record changes. Modern ICES solutions integrate directly with cloud platforms (M365/Workspace) for deeper visibility.
Legacy: Secure Email Gateway (SEG)
Blind to internal-to-internal email threats.
Modern: Integrated Cloud Security (ICES)
Protects external, internal, and lateral communication.
The Vendor Selection Matrix
The market is split between "Comprehensive Platforms" and "Best-of-Breed Disruptors." This scatter plot maps vendor technical innovation against market adoption velocity. Note the high agility of API-based players.
Public Sector Compliance Hub
For Public Sector entities (Fed/State/Local), security is not just about capability—it's about compliance authorization. FedRAMP Moderate is the minimum standard for most federal agencies. We have validated the following status for key providers:
Feature Capability Radar
Radar comparison showing ICES (AI-Native) vs. SEG (Gateway) across core security dimensions.
The Forward-Looking Outlook
Generative AI Arms Race
Attackers use LLMs to create "perfect" lures without typos. Defensive AI must move from scanning files to understanding semantic context and human relationships.
Detection as Code
Platforms like Sublime Security are democratizing detection. SOC teams can now write, share, and automate custom detection rules using MQL (Message Query Language).
Platform Consolidation
Email data is being ingested into XDR/SIEM platforms for cross-domain correlation. The "Best-of-Suite" vs "Best-of-Breed" debate is shifting toward "Best-of-API".