API-Based Email Security

Email-based threats have surged to unprecedented levels in 2024. Reports show a staggering increase in malicious emails of 341% over a single six-month period alone. This alarming trend includes a sharp rise in Business Email Compromise (BEC), phishing, and other message-based attacks, primarily fuelled by the proliferation of generative AI technologies. Even more concerning, malicious emails have skyrocketed by an astonishing 4,151% since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. These concerning figures underscore the urgent need for robust email security measures.

API-based email security is an innovative approach that leverages email programmes’ Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to provide comprehensive protection against various email-based threats. Unlike traditional secure email gateways (SEGs) deployed in line with corporate email servers, API-based solutions integrate directly with email programmes, allowing them to access and examine email content without disrupting the normal flow of communication.

This security method inspects messages before they enter the inbox or exit the outbox using the email server’s API. Alongside the email service, API-based security can scan incoming and outgoing messages for potential threats. This approach provides a more complete analysis of email content, enabling the detection of sophisticated phishing attempts, malware, and other threats that might slip past traditional filters.

API-based email security solutions can act against malicious emails using the same APIs they use for inspection. They can prevent phishing and other threats from reaching the inbox, alert users to potential threats, or even retract delivered emails that are later identified as malicious.

While API-based email security offers significant advantages, it’s important to note that it can face challenges with scalability due to the high volume of API calls required, potentially leading to increased latency during peak times. However, as email continues to be a critical communication tool for businesses, adopting API-based security measures can significantly enhance an organisation’s cybersecurity posture.

API-based email security operates by leveraging the APIs provided by email platforms to integrate directly with the email infrastructure. Here’s a brief explanation of how this innovative security approach functions:

1. API integration: The security solution connects to the email platform (such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace) using its APIs. This connection allows the security system to access emails and their metadata without interfering with the standard email flow.
2. Continuous monitoring: Once integrated, the security solution continuously monitors incoming and outgoing emails in real time. It can scan emails before they reach the user’s inbox or after they’ve been sent but before delivery to the recipient.
3. Content analysis: The security system uses advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyse various aspects of each email, including:
   1. Sender information and reputation
   2. Email content and structure
   3. Embedded links and attachments
   4. Behavioural patterns and anomalies
4. Threat detection: Based on this analysis, the system identifies potential threats such as phishing attempts, malware, spam, or BEC attacks.
5. Automated response: When threats are detected, the system can take immediate action, such as:
   1. Blocking the email from reaching the inbox
   2. Quarantining suspicious messages for further review
   3. Stripping malicious attachments or neutralising dangerous links
   4. Alerting administrators or end-users about potential threats
6. Post-delivery remediation: If a threat is identified after an email has been delivered, API-based security can often retract or delete the email from user inboxes, preventing further exposure.
7. Continuous learning: Many API-based email security solutions incorporate machine learning algorithms that continuously optimise threat detection capabilities based on new data and emerging attack patterns.

By operating at the API level, these security solutions can provide comprehensive protection without additional hardware or complex network reconfigurations. This approach enables more flexible, scalable, and effective email security that can quickly adapt.

API-based email security solutions offer a range of advanced features designed to protect organisations from evolving email-based threats. Here are some key features:

• Real-time threat intelligence: Continuously updated threat databases immediately identify new and emerging threats. This feature ensures the security system is always equipped with the latest information to combat evolving attack vectors.
• Advanced phishing detection: Utilises machine learning algorithms to analyse email content, sender behaviour, and contextual information to identify sophisticated phishing attempts that may bypass traditional filters.
• Malware and ransomware protection: Scan attachments and embedded links for malicious content, often using sandboxing techniques to safely execute and analyse suspicious files without risking the organisation’s infrastructure.
• BEC prevention: Employs advanced analytics to detect anomalies in communication patterns, helping to identify and prevent BEC attacks that often don’t contain malicious links or attachments.
• Post-delivery remediation: Allows for retracting or deleting emails—later identified as threats—post-delivery, providing additional protection against time-delayed attacks.
• User awareness training: Some solutions incorporate features that help educate users about potential threats, such as warning banners on suspicious emails or simulated phishing campaigns to test and improve user vigilance.
• Data loss prevention (DLP): This function monitors outgoing emails for sensitive information, helping to prevent accidental or intentional data leaks from within the organisation.
• Email encryption: This service offers end-to-end encryption capabilities to protect sensitive information in transit and ensure that confidential communications remain secure.
• Customisable policy controls: Allows administrators to set and enforce specific security policies based on the organisation’s unique needs and compliance requirements.
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics: Provides detailed insights into email traffic patterns, threat landscapes, and security incidents, enabling better decision-making and continuous improvement of security posture.
• Third-party integration: Seamlessly integrates with other security tools and platforms, enabling a more holistic approach to cybersecurity and facilitating automated workflows across different systems.

These features work in concert to provide a multi-layered defence against email-based threats, protecting organisations from sophisticated, human-centred attacks.

In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, API-based email security has become crucial for organisations to protect against sophisticated email-based attacks. The alarming increase in email threats underscores the importance of this approach. According to Proofpoint’s 2024 State of the Phish report, 71% of surveyed organisations experienced at least one successful phishing attack in 2023, highlighting the ongoing prevalence of these threats.

The report also revealed a staggering 144% increase in reports of financial penalties due to phishing attacks, such as regulatory fines, compared to the previous year. This dramatic rise in financial impact emphasises the growing sophistication and damaging potential of email-based threats. The report also noted a 50% increase in reports of reputational damage resulting from these cyber-attacks. With cybercriminals constantly refining their tactics, like using generative AI and QR codes, traditional email security measures are often insufficient.

API-based email security offers enhanced protection by integrating directly with email systems, allowing for more comprehensive threat detection and real-time response. This approach is particularly effective against sophisticated phishing attempts, malware and ransomware distribution, and BEC (business email compromise) attacks, which continue to be primary vectors for data breaches and financial fraud.

• Integration complexity: Integrating API-based security solutions with existing email infrastructure can be complex, especially for organisations with legacy systems or diverse email platforms.
• Performance impacts: High-volume API calls required for real-time email scanning can potentially lead to latency issues, affecting email delivery times and user experience.
• Scalability concerns: As email traffic grows, ensuring that the API-based security solution can scale effectively without compromising performance or security can be challenging.
• Continuous updates: Keeping the API security system up to date with the latest threat intelligence and security patches requires ongoing effort and resources.

• False positives: Overly aggressive security settings can increase false positives, potentially blocking legitimate emails and disrupting business communications.
• Data privacy compliance: Ensuring the API-based security solution complies with various data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) across different jurisdictions can be complex.
• User adoption: Implementing new security measures may require changes in user behaviour or workflows, leading to potential resistance or reduced productivity if not managed properly.

By following these best practices, organisations can more effectively implement and maintain API-based email security solutions, bolstering their overall cybersecurity posture while minimising disruptions to business operations.

Proofpoint offers Adaptive Email Security, a cutting-edge API-based solution that provides comprehensive protection across the entire email delivery chain. Their innovative approach combines pre-delivery, click-time, and post-delivery detections to create a robust defence against sophisticated email threats.

Proofpoint’s solutions include industry-first pre-delivery defence against social engineering threats and malicious links, as well as new adaptive email security capabilities that leverage behavioural AI for post-delivery protection. These features seamlessly integrate with Microsoft 365 through API connections, offering enhanced threat detection and real-time response capabilities. Proofpoint’s NexusAI-based detection models, combined with semantic analysis and suspicious URL hold and sandboxing, create a formidable set of defence-in-depth measures.

By implementing Proofpoint’s API-based email security, organisations can significantly improve their protection against phishing, BEC, and other advanced email-based threats while maintaining compliance with data protection regulations. To learn more, contact Proofpoint.