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An email gateway is a server or service that acts as the entry and exit point for all email traffic between an organization and the outside world. Also known as a secure email gateway (SEG), it inspects incoming and outgoing messages for threats like malware, phishing, and spam before allowing them to pass through. Email gateways enforce security policies, filter content, and provide encryption to protect sensitive business communications.
Email remains the primary attack vector for cyber threats, with 94% of malware delivered via email. An email gateway provides the first line of defense against phishing, ransomware, and business email compromise attacks. Beyond security, gateways help organizations maintain regulatory compliance, protect sensitive data from leaving the network, and preserve sender reputation by blocking outbound spam or compromised accounts.
Email gateways sit between your mail server and the internet, acting as a checkpoint for all email traffic. When an email arrives, the gateway scans it against multiple threat databases, checks sender reputation, analyzes attachments for malware, and evaluates content for phishing indicators. Messages that pass inspection are delivered to recipients, while suspicious emails are quarantined or blocked. Outbound emails are similarly scanned to prevent data leaks and ensure compliance with security policies.
A spam filter focuses specifically on identifying and blocking unwanted bulk email. An email gateway provides broader protection including malware scanning, phishing detection, data loss prevention, and encryption. Most modern email gateways include spam filtering as one of many security features.
Cloud email providers include basic security features, but many organizations add third-party email gateways for enhanced protection. Enterprise gateways offer advanced threat detection, better customization, and additional compliance controls that may exceed built-in capabilities.
No security solution blocks 100% of threats. Email gateways significantly reduce phishing risk through multi-layer scanning, but sophisticated attacks may still get through. Combining gateway protection with employee security training and email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) provides the best defense.
Blocked emails are typically quarantined, meaning they are held in a secure location for administrator review. Admins can release legitimate emails that were incorrectly flagged (false positives) or permanently delete confirmed threats. Some gateways also notify recipients about quarantined messages.
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