The 2024 SC Awards have highlighted the leading secure messaging solutions that ensure the privacy, integrity, and security of enterprise communications. This year’s finalists in the category of Best Secure Messaging Solution include well-known names such as Egress Intelligent Email Security, Mimecast Email & Collaboration Security, Zoom’s Post-Quantum End-to-End Encryption, Proofpoint People Protection, and SlashNext Next Gen AI Email+ Security Platform. Each of these platforms has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in safeguarding communications, making them prime candidates for the top spot.
Egress Intelligent Email Security
Egress Intelligent Email Security has garnered attention for its innovative adaptive security architecture designed for cloud email. This solution leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to dynamically assess human risk and modify security protocols accordingly. Through behavioral nudges, it educates users in real-time, making it an effective tool against different types of email threats, including phishing, misdirected emails, and intentional data breaches.
Egress’ integration with Microsoft 365 and mobile email clients enhances its appeal, allowing organizations to implement zero-trust security without the complications typically associated with secure email gateways. The platform has seen significant growth, particularly within financial services, legal, and healthcare sectors. This success can be attributed to its user-friendly deployment and robust security features that don’t heavily burden IT departments.
Recently acquired by KnowBe4, a leader in security awareness training, Egress is set to benefit from enhanced AI-based email security tailored to human risk. With a 95% gross retention rate and customer satisfaction consistently above 9/10, Egress has proven its value in the secure messaging market. Forrester’s calculation of a 359% return on investment for Egress customers underscores its financial and security effectiveness. This combination of advanced technology and ease of use cements Egress as a prime candidate for the top secure messaging solution.
Mimecast Email & Collaboration Security
Mimecast’s Email and Collaboration Security platform stands out for its comprehensive protection against a variety of email threats, including phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise. The platform’s advanced data loss prevention (DLP) and brand protection features offer a significant security layer for Microsoft 365 users, addressing the platform’s inherent security gaps. The strength of Mimecast lies in its AI-driven detection capabilities, which identify sophisticated email attacks efficiently.
Its seamless integration with workplace collaboration platforms maximizes existing technology investments while ensuring consistent security and compliance. With over 42,000 global customers and protection for 26 million end-users, Mimecast has demonstrated broad market appeal and effectiveness. Customer satisfaction is a priority for Mimecast, reflected in high ratings on platforms like G2 and Gartner Peer Insights. Users praise the solution for its ease of use and outstanding customer support, highlighting Mimecast’s client-centric design.
Additionally, Mimecast has reported record revenue growth in 2024, further cementing its position as a leading secure messaging platform. Mimecast’s comprehensive approach, combining robust security measures with user-friendly interfaces and exceptional support, has made it an invaluable tool for countless organizations. The focus on both security and customer experience ensures that Mimecast remains a top contender in the secure messaging domain.
Zoom’s Post-Quantum End-to-End Encryption
Zoom has made strides in secure communication with its Post-Quantum End-to-End Encryption (PQ E2EE) feature, ensuring encrypted data is shielded from the future capabilities of quantum computing. This proactive security measure addresses potential “harvest now, decrypt later” threats, employing the Kyber 768 algorithm in alignment with NIST standards. Currently available for Zoom Meetings, with plans to expand to Zoom Phone and Zoom Rooms, PQ E2EE ensures that only meeting participants have encryption key access.
This commitment to security has driven a surge in demand for Zoom’s secure communication solutions, especially since the introduction of E2EE in 2020. Zoom’s efforts in providing users with comprehensive support and resources for encryption implementation have solidified its position in secure communication technology. By offering PQ E2EE at no additional cost, Zoom demonstrates its dedication to maintaining the highest levels of security and privacy for its users.
Zoom’s foresight in addressing future threats and its proactive approach to evolving security needs have positioned it as a leader in secure communication. The implementation of Post-Quantum End-to-End Encryption marks a significant advancement in protecting communications against emerging threats. This continued commitment to innovation and security ensures that Zoom remains a formidable player in the secure messaging landscape.
Proofpoint People Protection
Proofpoint’s People Protection Platform excels in addressing security needs across sectors such as finance, healthcare, education, and government. It offers robust email security, insider threat detection, and data loss prevention, protecting against a variety of digital threats including phishing, malware, ransomware, and identity-based attacks. Utilizing a multi-layered detection stack with threat intelligence, behavioral AI, and URL sandboxing, Proofpoint effectively monitors and analyzes email content.
Its DLP capabilities extend to collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace, ensuring comprehensive data protection and regulatory compliance. Proofpoint’s platform is trusted by a significant market share, including 87% of the Fortune 100, and boasts over 510,000 customers globally. Continuous updates and innovations, such as AI-powered threat detection, sustain its leading position in email security.
High customer satisfaction levels and round-the-clock global service contribute to Proofpoint’s strong reputation. Proofpoint’s emphasis on comprehensive security measures and continuous innovation has made it a trusted solution in the secure messaging market. Its ability to adapt to new threats and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction ensures that Proofpoint remains a leading contender in the secure messaging solution category.
SlashNext Next Gen AI Email+ Security Platform
SlashNext’s Next Gen AI Email+ Security Platform has been highlighted for its advanced capabilities in combating sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks across various messaging platforms. This includes email, mobile/SMS, and web messaging apps, with protection extending to over 3,000 different platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Gmail. The platform uses advanced AI technologies, including natural language processing, computer vision, and relationship graphs, to predict and stop emerging threats in real time.
This approach boasts a detection accuracy of nearly 99.99% and a false positive rate of just one in a million. SlashNext’s platform is used to protect over eight million mailboxes and endpoints globally, with significant adoption among Fortune 100 companies. The platform’s comprehensive protection across multiple messaging channels is a key reason for its growing customer base and 30% year-over-year growth.
SlashNext’s subscription-based service integrates seamlessly with enterprise tools, providing cloud-native solutions that lower total ownership costs. The platform is designed for rapid deployment, high accuracy, and minimal ongoing maintenance, making it a cost-effective choice for enterprises. SlashNext continues to evolve, with new features like the VirtualVision URL Analyzer and mSOAR automation set to enhance threat detection and response capabilities further.
Overarching Trends and Consensus Viewpoints
Analyzing these finalists, several overarching trends emerge in the secure messaging solution landscape. Firstly, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is a common thread across all platforms, enabling real-time threat detection, adaptive security measures, and enhanced protection against sophisticated cyber threats. Secondly, integration with widely-used platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace is a priority, ensuring that these security solutions enhance existing enterprise tools without imposing significant additional management burdens.
These finalists emphasize user education and behavior modification as critical components of their security strategies, recognizing that human error is a significant factor in security breaches. Additionally, all platforms showcase a firm commitment to maintaining high customer satisfaction through robust support services, easy deployment, and continuous updates. These trends reflect the evolving nature of secure messaging solutions and the need for continuous innovation to address emerging threats.
Key Findings
The 2024 SC Awards have spotlighted the top secure messaging solutions that safeguard the privacy, integrity, and security of enterprise communications. This year’s contenders for the Best Secure Messaging Solution category feature notable names like Egress Intelligent Email Security, Mimecast Email & Collaboration Security, Zoom’s Post-Quantum End-to-End Encryption, Proofpoint People Protection, and the SlashNext Next Gen AI Email+ Security Platform. Each of these solutions showcases outstanding abilities in protecting communications, making them strong candidates for the award.
Egress Intelligent Email Security excels in threat detection and response capabilities, providing advanced encryption and data loss prevention. Mimecast’s solution ensures seamless communication protection with powerful anti-phishing and malware defense mechanisms. Zoom’s Post-Quantum End-to-End Encryption stands out for its future-proof security against quantum computing threats. Proofpoint People Protection emphasizes safeguarding human vulnerabilities, while SlashNext leverages advanced AI to fend off sophisticated email threats. These platforms exemplify excellence in secure communication, vying competitively for the top honor.
