Email Security Market Expands Amid Growing Threats to Employees

The global email security market is expected to grow by US$5.17 billion from 2024 to 2028 at a 13.64% CAGR, driven by rising employee mobility and cloud adoption, according to Technavio. Phishing, malware, and account takeovers remain major risks, heightened by cloud platforms and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, making security awareness and advanced protections essential, reports the company. 

Email fraud includes scams ranging from advance-fee schemes to sophisticated business email compromise (BEC) attacks. Using social engineering, attackers pose as trusted figures or create urgency to deceive victims into harmful actions, reports Cloudflare. For example, phishing tricks employees into clicking malicious links, emails, or attachments, risking data exposure or malware infections, according to America’s Cyber Defense Agency.

A recent Kaspersky study found that 28% of Mexican companies have experienced data leaks due to cybersecurity breaches in the past two years. These incidents were primarily caused by internal threats, with employees or contractors using unauthorized systems or devices to access and share sensitive data, explains Claudio Martinelli, Managing Director Americas, Kaspersky. 

As cyberthreats targeting business communications increase, organizations are prioritizing email security to safeguard operations and data. Traditional email security measures, such as basic spam filters and antivirus software, are no longer sufficient to combat sophisticated cyberthreats, reports Technavio. Thus, businesses are integrating email security with broader IT security frameworks, including network security and endpoint protection. These solutions help mitigate risks by addressing vulnerabilities such as fraud, social engineering, and unauthorized account access.

Cloud-based email security is gaining traction due to its scalability and ease of use. Organizations across industries, particularly financial services, healthcare, and government, are adopting these solutions to centralize email management while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Cloud-based security offers real-time threat detection and automated responses, reducing the risk of data breaches and improving business continuity.

Despite the growing adoption of cloud solutions, on-premise email security remains relevant for enterprises with stringent data protection needs. Large organizations, particularly in regulated industries, continue to invest in dedicated security infrastructure to maintain control over sensitive information. The choice between cloud and on-premise solutions often depends on cost considerations, industry-specific requirements, and security policies.

Open-source email security solutions are also gaining attention, particularly among SMEs looking for cost-effective options. Tools like MailScanner and Proxmox Mail Gateway offer businesses an affordable way to enhance email protection. However, these solutions require technical expertise for implementation and maintenance, making them a viable but complex option for organizations with limited IT resources.

Additionally, cybersecurity awareness programs help reduce human error, which remains a major factor in successful cyberattacks. Businesses that implement comprehensive email security strategies will be better positioned to protect their workforce and data from evolving cyberthreats, according to Technavio.

“It is critical that companies take the time to understand cyberrisks by assessing what threats may affect them. This will enable them to make informed decisions on how to protect themselves,” says Manuel Rivera, CEO and Founder, Nekt Group, to MBN.