Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs Fortinet FortiMail Cloud comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense and Fortinet FortiMail Cloud based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Email Security solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. Fortinet FortiMail Cloud Report (Updated: January 2024).
769,662 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a stable solution.""The risk level notifications are most valuable. We get to know what kind of intrusion or attack is there, and we can fix a problem on time.""It also gives me good visibility because, with Defender, I'm using a Microsoft product to defend Microsoft products. The integration was really seamless and I have wide visibility because it picks up almost everything. Literally, I can see almost every activity that happens, from the e-mail to the workstation itself.""The solution is very easy to use. All you have to do is to assign the license to the end-user and it's done. The customer will only have the feature activated, and the solution will monitor the emails to determine if they are a threat or not.""The two main features that prove most beneficial for us are URL scanning and attachment scanning.""Microsoft Defender for Office 365's most valuable features are safe attachments and safe links.""I would say that 90% of the spam and phishing attack emails get blocked right off the bat.""The email protection is excellent, especially in terms of anti-phishing policies."

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"The ability to see east-west traffic is its most valuable feature. Traditionally, email defense focuses on north-south, inbound-outbound, egress-ingress traffic. With Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox, it's able to quickly identify, track, tag, and categorize emails that are internal. That can typically give us visibility into if there's an internal compromised account (for example). Someone can then use that internal compromised account to email additional accounts with either malicious software or links, but internal within that Office tenant. Effectively, that email message never leaves the tenant. Any of the mail gateways really do not have any method or way of seeing this traffic since it's not leaving the environment.""Secure Email Threat Defense's scalability is good.""Cisco has a threat mechanism called cloud-based Talos, where all the threats are inbuilt.""Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox can handle a complete portfolio, which is required to protect any kind of attack coming from emails. However, it does not have advanced phishing, but it is available through Cisco. If you compare Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox with the competition, in the competition you have to have one or two solutions together to address the customer's requirement, whereas Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox is addressing everything, such as web domain and email protection. If there is any kind of challenge it will come across through email.""I would say it's very comprehensive, with multiple antivirus OEMs, virus encrypt features, encryption, and more.""The features and functionalities are much better than Microsoft's in-built Defender plan.""It has an efficient email filtering feature.""It's very easy to deploy and configure."

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"This solution is easy to install. The deployment takes about forty-five minutes.""The encryption features are most valuable to us.""The most valuable feature is the advanced threat protection.""The product's initial setup is straightforward and simple, making it an easy-to-use tool.""The implementation was very professional. There are a lot of features I can get through Fortinet and FortiMail, such as security. FortiGuard is the most reliable and professional mitigation center to handle incidents and risk that I have to face.""The deployment is simple.""The scanners with FortiMail are valuable.""It has the best feature for processed mail analysis."

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Cons
"They can improve their security in a way where a customer can know if all their attachments are safe or not to open through a report. The solution does its job perfectly, but it never reports to the customer whether those attachments have been stopped before or not.""In some situations, it has not been able to pick impersonated emails having no attachments. Technical support definitely has a scope for improvement.""Microsoft Defender for Office 365 should improve the troubleshooting tools. It's unclear whether the device is blocked at the firewall level or at the device itself. The granularity needed for troubleshooting is currently lacking. From my perspective, Microsoft should address this issue to benefit many users who likely share the same sentiment.""I'd like some additional features any product can give me to protect our environment in a better way.""One area for improvement is integration. For example, when it comes to external SaaS platforms, we were not able to get a lot of information on integrations with such apps for security and authentication.""Microsoft should provide more documentation for users so they can self-educate. I would like to see more documentation for advanced security features.""The only thing they should improve is the licensing model. They should stop changing it. A year ago, the five features I mentioned were included in one product. Now, three of them are bundled into one product, and you have to pay extra for the other two. I don't mind paying extra, but I don't want them to change it every year or every six months. I need to know what I'm looking at and not worry about it next year.""We need to be able to whitelist data at the backend."

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Cons →

"This solution could be improved by integration with Sandbox.""From a technical point of view, Cisco is far behind in terms of cybersecurity, and it has to improve very much.""There is still room for improvement in terms of integrations with other Cisco tools and non-Cisco tools. There is also some room for improvement needed in terms of the reporting.""Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox can improve by adding advanced phishing, then the solution would become the best in the market. However, this could increase the price even more. Additionally, if CES with domain protection could be added it would be an even better solution.""We encounter issues while searching for missing emails.""The solution is a bit expensive.""Customers will benefit greatly from monthly billing because the majority of customers today use the cloud, be it Office 365, or Google Cloud.""The search area has room for improvement. When you go to the next page, it remains at the bottom of the current page that you're on. Also, under the reports section, it allows you to see any "convictions," but if you want to search for those convictions you have to remember when they all came in and go back and edit the search accordingly. You cannot click on the list of convictions to actually see if you had a spike at a certain time."

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"Its GUI needs improvement.""I would like to see more advanced sandbox features, where you can actually download to a machine where you can test.""The setup of the rules can be improved. I think it should be simplified and would be the best improvement in the system.""It is slightly difficult to configure FortiMail in the cloud with Exchange on-premise, especially the quarantine mailbox access for end-users.""The tool's UI can be simple since it's cluttered now and you can't understand where you are going. It's not obvious to find out the menus or things that you are looking to find.""The product could be improved by extending reporting tools and adding options for notification.""I've not been able to use more than two domains in the back end. I like to view logs for the different domains. If I add any other domain I'm not able to get a proper cPanel for that domain. I am talking about the login factors. I'm not able to see logs for different domains in a different Window. Basically, it's an issue in the login process.""I can't see the feedback to the FortiMail gateway."

More Fortinet FortiMail Cloud Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "It's a user-base subscription."
  • "From the pricing point of view, like any other product in the market, there is scope for negotiation."
  • "Defender is a little bit more expensive as compared to others. We are in the manufacturing environment. So, we don't have a high budget for all of our endpoint devices. Its cost is a major concern for us."
  • "For licensing, it's usually a yearly package for customers who are subscribed to Office 365, but they can also pay on a monthly basis."
  • "Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is an add-on to the Office license. Many customers are purchasing this solution."
  • "Microsoft Defender for Office 365 comes with Microsoft Windows. It is free with the operating system."
  • "The solution saves money so we have seen a return on investment."
  • "Defender for 365 comes in various plans and licenses, along with other Microsoft security solutions. Purchasing this kind of package or security bundle gives good value for money, and that's what I recommend."
  • More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The feedback from vendors and customer is that it is expensive."
  • "Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox does not have any competition with Sophos, Trend Micro, or other vendors of the world. However, there is a pricing premium for the solution. One has to look at it from that angle that while they are buying Cisco, there will be a premium, and Cisco justifies that premium value. That's why they're charging a high price."
  • "It is expensive compared to other vendors."
  • "The solution’s pricing is manageable."
  • More Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "It's on a subscribed basis."
  • "When we're talking about pricing, other products have about the same price. That is normal."
  • "The price of this solution could be more competitive."
  • "It should cost around $60,000. We bought it as a bundle, so everything comes together in the license. That is standard."
  • "A license for our company using FortiMail and FortiCare (filtering and support) was $4000."
  • "The licensing is for three years. In the beginning, we did not pay monthly, it was paid once for three years."
  • "You only have to purchase one license for multiple participants."
  • "I see how manageable and flexible the licenses are."
  • More Fortinet FortiMail Cloud Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Threat Explorer is an invaluable tool for me, and it plays a crucial role in helping me discern the origins of various… more »
    Top Answer:The product must provide better malware detection. The detection algorithms don't perform the way I hope they would.
    Top Answer:Secure Email Threat Defense's scalability is good.
    Top Answer:The tool gives false positives and it needs to be more accurate. I would like to see AI as a new feature.
    Top Answer:Content disarming and analysis are essential features in our email security setup
    Top Answer:The pricing depends on various factors, including the type of licenses and subscriptions you have procured. The cost… more »
    Top Answer:During our deployment and in our day-to-day operations, we've encountered certain challenges with our email security… more »
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    MS Defender for Office 365
    Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox, Cisco CMD, Cisco Cloud Mailbox Defense
    Learn More
    Overview

    Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect organizations against advanced threats in their email, collaboration, and productivity environments. It combines the power of Microsoft's threat intelligence, machine learning, and behavioral analytics to provide real-time protection against phishing, malware, ransomware, and other malicious attacks.

    With Microsoft Defender for Office 365, organizations can safeguard their email communication by detecting and blocking malicious links, attachments, and unsafe email content. It employs advanced anti-phishing capabilities to identify and prevent sophisticated phishing attacks that attempt to steal sensitive information or compromise user credentials.

    This solution also offers robust protection against malware and ransomware. It leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze email attachments and URLs in real-time, identifying and blocking malicious content before it reaches users' inboxes. Additionally, it provides advanced threat-hunting capabilities, allowing security teams to proactively investigate and respond to potential threats.

    Microsoft Defender for Office 365 goes beyond email protection and extends its security features to other collaboration tools like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams. It scans files and documents stored in these platforms, ensuring that they are free from malware and other malicious content. It also provides visibility into user activities, helping organizations detect and mitigate insider threats.

    Furthermore, this solution offers rich reporting and analytics capabilities, providing organizations with insights into their security posture and threat landscape. It enables security administrators to monitor and manage security incidents, track trends, and take proactive measures to enhance their overall security posture.

    Cisco's secure email threat defense is designed to provide comprehensive protection against email-based threats. With the increasing sophistication of cyber attacks, it is crucial for organizations to have a robust solution in place to safeguard their email communications.

    The product offers advanced threat detection capabilities, leveraging machine learning algorithms and real-time analysis to identify and block malicious emails. It scans incoming and outgoing emails for suspicious attachments, links, and content, ensuring that only safe and legitimate emails reach the users' inbox.

    To combat phishing attacks, our solution employs advanced anti-phishing techniques, including URL reputation analysis and email header analysis. It proactively detects and blocks phishing emails, preventing users from falling victim to fraudulent schemes and protecting sensitive information.

    The Secure Email Threat Defense also includes robust anti-malware and anti-spam features. It scans email attachments for malware and viruses, preventing them from infiltrating the organization's network. Additionally, it filters out spam emails, reducing the clutter in users' inboxes and improving productivity.

    Administrators have full visibility and control over email security. They can set up customizable policies to enforce security measures, such as blocking specific file types or restricting email access from certain domains. Detailed reports and analytics provide insights into email threats and help in fine-tuning the security settings.

    Fortinet FortiMail Cloud is a comprehensive email security solution that protects organizations from advanced threats and ensures secure email communication. It offers robust features such as anti-spam, anti-malware, and data loss prevention to safeguard against email-borne attacks. With its cloud-based deployment, FortiMail Cloud provides scalable and flexible email security without the need for additional hardware or software. 

    It offers real-time threat intelligence and advanced analytics to detect and block sophisticated threats, including zero-day attacks. FortiMail Cloud also includes encryption capabilities to secure sensitive data and comply with regulatory requirements. With its user-friendly interface and centralized management, organizations can easily configure and monitor email security policies across multiple domains. 

    FortiMail Cloud provides comprehensive protection against email threats, ensuring business continuity and peace of mind.

    Sample Customers
    Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is trusted by companies such as Ithaca College.
    Luiss University, Lone Star College, T-Systems, Magyar Telekom
    Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company16%
    Computer Software Company16%
    Comms Service Provider13%
    Government6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Financial Services Firm9%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Government7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company29%
    University14%
    Construction Company14%
    Government14%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company37%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    Financial Services Firm6%
    Government5%
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider25%
    Integrator13%
    Manufacturing Company13%
    Energy/Utilities Company13%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Comms Service Provider11%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Construction Company6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business42%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise42%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business30%
    Midsize Enterprise19%
    Large Enterprise51%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business18%
    Midsize Enterprise36%
    Large Enterprise45%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business19%
    Midsize Enterprise12%
    Large Enterprise70%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business68%
    Midsize Enterprise21%
    Large Enterprise11%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business35%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise42%
    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. Fortinet FortiMail Cloud
    January 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. Fortinet FortiMail Cloud and other solutions. Updated: January 2024.
    769,662 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is ranked 16th in Email Security with 11 reviews while Fortinet FortiMail Cloud is ranked 6th in Cloud Email with 18 reviews. Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is rated 8.2, while Fortinet FortiMail Cloud is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense writes "Easy to deploy and configure with excellent support". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Fortinet FortiMail Cloud writes "A reliable email security solution with deep integration capabilities and exceptionally strong support". Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is most compared with Cisco Secure Email, Kiteworks, Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP), Abnormal Security and Armorblox, whereas Fortinet FortiMail Cloud is most compared with Fortinet FortiMail, Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration, Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP), Proofpoint Email Protection and SonicWall Email Security. See our Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. Fortinet FortiMail Cloud report.

    We monitor all Email Security reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.