Proofpoint vs Tessian -- Email Security Compared
Tessian approaches email security from the human layer perspective, uniquely combining inbound threat detection with outbound misdirected email prevention and accidental data loss protection. Its ability to detect when a user is about to send sensitive data to the wrong recipient is a capability that Proofpoint's gateway model does not natively address in the same way. Now that Tessian has been acquired by Proofpoint, its technology is being integrated into the Proofpoint platform. As a standalone comparison, Tessian fills specific human risk gaps while Proofpoint provides comprehensive end-to-end email security.
Choose Tessian if preventing misdirected emails and accidental data loss is a critical requirement that your current email security does not address, or if you want behavioral AI coaching for users. Choose Proofpoint if you need a comprehensive, enterprise-grade email security platform with full threat protection, archiving, and compliance. Note that Tessian's technology is being absorbed into Proofpoint, so its standalone future is uncertain.
| Feature | Tessian | Proofpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Inbound Threat Detection | Behavioral AI for social engineering | Full-spectrum threat detection |
| Misdirected Email Prevention | AI-powered wrong recipient detection | Not natively available |
| DLP Approach | Behavioral (accidental and intentional) | Policy-based keyword and pattern matching |
| User Coaching | Real-time in-context coaching | Post-incident awareness training |
| Email Archiving | Not available | Enterprise archiving with compliance |
| Deployment | API-based, no MX changes | MX record redirect (gateway model) |
| Platform Scope | Focused human layer security | Comprehensive email security platform |
| Vendor Stability | Acquired by Proofpoint — roadmap uncertain | Established independent vendor |
Common questions about choosing between Proofpoint and Tessian.
Tessian approaches email security from the human layer perspective, uniquely combining inbound threat detection with outbound misdirected email prevention and accidental data loss protection. Its ability to detect when a user is about to send sensitive data to the wrong recipient is a capability that Proofpoint's gateway model does not natively address in the same way. Now that Tessian has been acquired by Proofpoint, its technology is being integrated into the Proofpoint platform. As a standalone comparison, Tessian fills specific human risk gaps while Proofpoint provides comprehensive end-to-end email security.
Choose Tessian if preventing misdirected emails and accidental data loss is a critical requirement that your current email security does not address, or if you want behavioral AI coaching for users. Choose Proofpoint if you need a comprehensive, enterprise-grade email security platform with full threat protection, archiving, and compliance. Note that Tessian's technology is being absorbed into Proofpoint, so its standalone future is uncertain.
Tessian pricing: Custom pricing / per-user licensing. Proofpoint pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / per-user licensing. Tessian's pricing model is per-user subscription, while Proofpoint uses per-user subscription pricing.
Yes, you can migrate from Proofpoint to Tessian. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.
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