Cisco Secure Email vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365 -- Enterprise Email Gateway Compared
Cisco Secure Email vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Cisco Secure Email and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 are both enterprise email gateway solutions. Cisco Secure Email enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 microsoft's native email security for Microsoft 365 with XDR integration. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.
Last updated
The Verdict
Choose Cisco Secure Email if strong malware detection powered by Cisco Talos threat intelligence is your priority and cisco-centric enterprises wanting email security that integrates with their existing Cisco networking and security stack. Choose Microsoft Defender for Office 365 if deep native integration with Microsoft 365 and Defender XDR ecosystem matters most and microsoft 365-centric organizations wanting native email security with XDR integration and cost efficiency through E5 licensing.
Used Cisco Secure Email or Microsoft Defender for Office 365? Share your experience.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Cisco Secure Email |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Plan 1 from $2/user/month / Plan 2 from $5/user/month / included in E5 | Custom enterprise pricing / per-user licensing |
| Pricing Model | Per-user subscription (bundled with Microsoft 365 E5) | Per-user subscription or appliance license |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Self-Hosted |
| Best For | Microsoft 365-centric organizations wanting native email security with XDR integration and cost efficiency through E5 licensing | Cisco-centric enterprises wanting email security that integrates with their existing Cisco networking and security stack |
| Advanced malware protection with Talo... | Not available | Supported |
| Forged email detection for BEC | Not available | Supported |
| Data loss prevention and encryption | Not available | Supported |
When to Choose Each Tool
Choose Microsoft Defender for Office 365 when:
- +You value deep native integration with Microsoft 365 and Defender XDR ecosystem
- +You value included in Microsoft 365 E5 — significant cost savings for E5 customers
- +You value automated investigation and response reduces analyst workload
- +You want to avoid bEC detection significantly behind Proofpoint and Abnormal Security
- +You want to avoid administration interface feels dated and complex
Choose Cisco Secure Email when:
- +You value strong malware detection powered by Cisco Talos threat intelligence
- +You value deep integration with Cisco SecureX and broader Cisco security stack
- +You value flexible deployment options including on-premises appliance
- +You want to avoid only protects Microsoft 365 — does not support Google Workspace or other platforms
- +You want to avoid detection efficacy for advanced threats historically behind Proofpoint and Mimecast
Other Cisco Secure Email Alternatives
Enterprise email security platform for advanced threat protection, compliance, and data loss prevention
Cloud email security platform with threat protection, archiving, and continuity
AI-powered email security platform specializing in behavioral detection of social engineering attacks
Email threat protection platform available as gateway appliance or cloud service
Cloud email security gateway with AI-powered BEC detection and XDR integration
AI-powered anti-phishing platform with crowdsourced threat intelligence
Human layer security platform preventing inbound threats and outbound misdirected emails
Pros & Cons Comparison
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Pros
- +Deep native integration with Microsoft 365 and Defender XDR ecosystem
- +Included in Microsoft 365 E5 — significant cost savings for E5 customers
- +Automated investigation and response reduces analyst workload
- +Cross-domain detection correlates email threats with identity and endpoint signals
- +Continuous improvement from Microsoft's massive threat intelligence network
Cons
- –Only protects Microsoft 365 — does not support Google Workspace or other platforms
- –Detection efficacy for advanced threats historically behind Proofpoint and Mimecast
- –Configuration complexity across multiple Microsoft security portals
- –Plan 1 lacks important features like AIR and Threat Explorer
- –Less effective at catching novel social engineering attacks
Cisco Secure Email
Pros
- +Strong malware detection powered by Cisco Talos threat intelligence
- +Deep integration with Cisco SecureX and broader Cisco security stack
- +Flexible deployment options including on-premises appliance
- +Reliable email gateway with long enterprise track record
- +Graymail management reduces user complaints about bulk email
Cons
- –BEC detection significantly behind Proofpoint and Abnormal Security
- –Administration interface feels dated and complex
- –Innovation pace slower than cloud-native email security vendors
- –Best value only realized within broader Cisco security ecosystem
- –Cloud-native capabilities less mature than born-in-cloud competitors
Sources & References
- Cisco Secure Email — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
- Cisco Secure Email Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Cisco Secure Email Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Cisco Secure Email Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
- Gartner Magic Quadrant for Email Security 2024[Analyst Report]
- Forrester Wave: Enterprise Email Security, Q2 2024[Analyst Report]
- SE Labs: Email Security Gateway Tests[Independent Testing]
- Anti-Phishing Working Group: Phishing Activity Trends[Industry Research]
- Gartner Peer Insights: Email Security[Peer Reviews]
Cisco Secure Email vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365 FAQ
Common questions about choosing between Cisco Secure Email and Microsoft Defender for Office 365.
What is the main difference between Cisco Secure Email and Microsoft Defender for Office 365?
Cisco Secure Email and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 are both enterprise email gateway solutions. Cisco Secure Email enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 microsoft's native email security for Microsoft 365 with XDR integration. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.
Is Microsoft Defender for Office 365 better than Cisco Secure Email?
Choose Cisco Secure Email if strong malware detection powered by Cisco Talos threat intelligence is your priority and cisco-centric enterprises wanting email security that integrates with their existing Cisco networking and security stack. Choose Microsoft Defender for Office 365 if deep native integration with Microsoft 365 and Defender XDR ecosystem matters most and microsoft 365-centric organizations wanting native email security with XDR integration and cost efficiency through E5 licensing.
How much does Microsoft Defender for Office 365 cost compared to Cisco Secure Email?
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 pricing: Plan 1 from $2/user/month / Plan 2 from $5/user/month / included in E5. Cisco Secure Email pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / per-user licensing. Microsoft Defender for Office 365's pricing model is per-user subscription (bundled with microsoft 365 e5), while Cisco Secure Email uses per-user subscription or appliance license pricing.
Can I migrate from Cisco Secure Email to Microsoft Defender for Office 365?
Yes, you can migrate from Cisco Secure Email to Microsoft Defender for Office 365. 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.
Related Comparisons & Guides
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Alternatives
Microsoft's native email security for Microsoft 365 with XDR integration
ComparisonAbnormal Security vs Cisco Secure Email
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration
ComparisonBarracuda Email Security vs Cisco Secure Email
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration
ComparisonIRONSCALES vs Cisco Secure Email
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration
ComparisonMicrosoft Defender for Office 365 vs Cisco Secure Email
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration
ComparisonProofpoint vs Cisco Secure Email
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration
ComparisonMimecast vs Cisco Secure Email
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration
ComparisonTessian vs Cisco Secure Email
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration