More companies filter inbound e-mail for threats than outbound e-mail

While 93% of organizations filter inbound e-mail for threats such as spam and viruses, only 58% take steps to ensure that their outbound e-mail is free of malware, according to a recent study from Aberdeen Group Inc.

The study, “The Ins and Outs of Email Vulnerability,” also found that best-in-class companies-those that outperformed the industry-are making great strides in reducing the incidence of and cost associated with the remediation of e-mail exploits despite the escalation of threats. Best-in-class companies reduced the incidence of viruses, Trojans, spyware and other threats from e-mail by 84%, compared with the industry average of 27%.

In addition, the best-in-class companies reported a 71% decrease in data loss incidents associated with e-mail, compared with the 16% industry average. And the top-performing companies cut the total cost associated with recovery from e-mail attacks by 63%, compared with the 20% industry average.

“Best-in-class companies understand the threats that e-mail poses and work to shore it up on all fronts. They protect the e-mail itself in transit, protect their users from incoming threats, and they protect the organization from accidental and intentional data leakage. Their approach to e-mail is very intentional and goes well beyond what gets delivered with basic e-mail software,” Aberdeen says.