Introduction
The email security market is evolving rapidly. As per Fortune Business Insights, it is becoming increasingly vital as it is projected to grow from USD 4.25 billion in 2023 to USD 10.83 billion by 2032.
So, here in this blog, let’s dive into new technologies and trends that can define the future of email security. Keep reading for updates on the latest early-stage mitigation strategies and trends.
History of Email Security
The history of email security dates back to the early 2000s, when companies such as MessageLabs and Postini were the pioneers. They came up with the first Secure Email Gateways (SEGs). By 2015, all enterprises had adopted SEG solutions and therefore Gartner no longer monitored it using the SEG Magic Quadrant. Today, email security stands at a different level, with more than 45 vendors who provide high technologies to combat threats.
The use of threats through electronic mail has changed and been enhanced. Phishing scams aim to make users surrender their personal details. Ransomware is a program that locks up the computer’s files and remains with a fee to retrieve the files. The Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud aims to trick executives and other organizational members into wiring the email scammers money. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are chronic, slow processes where the attackers’ goal is to pirate information.
These emerging threats call for strong and flexible security solutions to safeguard confidential information and the company’s reputation.
Trends and Technologies to Look Forward
A very important fact here is that the domain of email security is constantly evolving and expanding due to the continuous appearance and development of varied threats. However, as with every problem comes a solution, here are key trends and technologies in email security that are shaping the future in a positive manner:
1. AI-Driven Threat Identification and Mitigation
AI digitalization is enhancing email security. Today, an increased number of providers employ this approach and rely on AI in threat identification. In real-time, AI scans the contents of emails, their senders, and any deviations in networks to assess potential threats and suspicious activity. After the threats are identified, AI also helps in assisting the implementation of countermeasures to minimise the impacts of the threats. More than 57% of organisations are implementing AI for еmail marketing and they have seen significant improvements. AI is predicted to play a still more significant role in the field of cybersecurity by 2024.
2. Zero-Trust Email Security
Zero-trust architectural models are emerging often with a focus on email security. Every received email sender is suspected and the content and the attachments are checked and investigated very carefully and profoundly with no exception. As per Gartner, only 10% of large companies will have deployed an integrated zero-trust architecture by 2026.
3. Enhanced Authentication Methods
Enhanced versions of email authentication procedures such as Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC), and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) are being developed. According to research performed by Expert Insights, MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) is expected to touch $20 billion by 2025. This suggests a keen interest in addressing email impersonation and spoofing as the main types of cyber threats.
4. Advanced Phishing Protection
Among all the threats, phishing again has pestered organizations. According to AAG, 92% of the respondents said that they had at least one business email that was hacked, and 93% suffered data breaches due to carelessness, negligence, or the use of fake employee credentials. To safeguard against acts of phishing, innovative methods like machine learning and behavioural analysis are being incorporated to preventively address the problem.
5. Cloud-Based Email Security
Cloud-based email security solutions are continuously experiencing an upward trend. Mordor Intelligence has projected a rise from US dollars 0.96 billion in the year 2024 to reach US dollars 1.52 billion by 2029. These solutions provide adaptive and complex security initiatives, which are critical for contemporary cybersecurity plans.
6. Email Security Training and Awareness
Employees are being constantly trained as organizations try to better combat the threat of email-based attacks. Advanced security solutions, along with strategic training, go a long way to minimize these risks. This shift is evidenced by a fact presented by Verizon that 68% of the corporate risk and compliance professionals were surveyed in 2024.
7. Regulatory Compliance
New measures are being implemented globally regarding the privacy of consumer information. It is therefore important to synchronize email security measures with legal contexts to avoid possible violations and blunders.
8. Threat Intelligence Sharing
Threat intelligence sharing is the process through which organizations can share details about potential threats in real-time. This collaboration strengthens security and protects the organization against threats while making sure that the existing measures are up-to-date.
9. End-to-End Email Encryption
The most widely known reason to consider end-to-end encryption is increasing concerns about data protection. Email encryption is a methodology that ensures that only the sender and the official receiver are able to read the message, no one apart from them is able to do so.
10. NLP and Generative AI
AI-powered NLP and generative models are revolutionizing the way email security functions. Such technologies assist in identifying BEC, impersonation, and phishing attacks through the analysis of communication patterns in an organization.
11. Behavioural and Content-Based Analysis
Behavioural and content analysis techniques major on the determination of malicious intent by the sender and the contents of the message. Anomaly detection provides deviations that could signify the security threat, while topic modelling allows the development of a better approach to handling potential risks.
What we deliver
As for ProtonMail, we respect your right to privacy and protect your data with advanced security features. Your information is secure by using end-to-end encryption, and your emails are readable only by you and the people to whom you have sent it.
Our zero-access architecture is designed in such a way that not even we, as the developers, can view your messages. Moreover, our system has ‘Proton Sentinel’ — an artificial intelligence security layer that helps us detect and prevent suspicious activities.
With you in mind, we provide control over your communication. We operate an open-source system that can be reviewed independently and makes our platform more secure and reliable. Some of the new security features include password-protected emails, hardware-based two-factor authentication, and integrated PGP.
Conclusion
By the end of 2024, email threats will evolve to a higher level, making it essential to have strong defences. At Proton, we offer solutions to new threats like quishing and spear phishing, which are increasingly common. Allow us to safeguard your communications by employing advanced features to shield your information from these new threats.
Biography:- Harikrishna Kundariya, a marketer, developer, IoT, Cloud & AWS savvy, co-founder, Director of eSparkBiz Technologies. His 12+ years of experience enables him to provide digital solutions to new start-ups based on IoT and SaaS applications.
