Since the origin of the internet, email has become an essential tool for businesses. It is the basic form of communication for companies. However, in recent years it has also become one of their greatest threats. Company email often filters malware, phishing, and other cybercriminal practices that put businesses at risk. And to protect against all this, SPAM filters alone are not enough; a further step is needed.
What is FortiMail? Layered security for your inbox
FortiMail is email security software specifically designed to prevent and neutralize all types of threats before they reach the user. Its approach is based on layered protection: it integrates analysis, real-time threat intelligence, encryption, sandboxing, DLP policies, and spam control. After thoroughly analyzing it, we can say that it is a very complete tool that is also scalable to different types of businesses.
Although it is not the simplest tool for small businesses, it is very effective against cyberattacks; it is designed to fight the major digital attacks and also complies with strict regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001.
Additionally, it easily adapts to all types of companies. It can be a useful tool for all businesses, although it is true that its use is especially recommended for organizations with complex security needs and centralized incident visibility.
However, it is also important to consider some of its potential disadvantages before making a decision:
- The price of the most advanced licenses can be high compared to more basic solutions.
- It can be excessive for small businesses that only require simple functions.
- The advanced implementation may require specialized support.
- In some environments, updates or changes in security policies can cause difficulties.
The best of FortiMail
The worst of FortiMail
But, like all specialized software, FortiMail also has some drawbacks that should be considered. The main one is its initial learning curve, which can be quite steep for teams outside the Fortinet ecosystem, which has its own specialties. Additionally, advanced features like sandboxing may require experience or a dedicated IT team to set it up smoothly.
Key Features of FortiMail
FortiMail has a clear goal: to integrate the entire security system related to email into its platform. That is why, instead of breaking it down into different software, it offers a complete service that integrates many functions. Some of the most interesting are the following:
Advanced Threat Protection
The best thing about FortiMail is its protection, and this comes from several perspectives, from its antivirus to its sandboxing system and machine learning to detect both new threats and known ones. It is also capable of detecting identity spoofing attacks, BEC attacks, and prime domain detection (among others). Additionally, it is constantly updated thanks to its integration with FortiGuard Labs, a laboratory that anticipates new malware, phishing campaigns, etc., enabling the tool to detect them on time.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Another interesting point is its function to scan sent messages for sensitive content: bank account numbers, personal data, medical information, or any confidential data. Thanks to its DLP system, it integrates these functions to block, quarantine, or simply log detected messages, allowing administrators to create policies tailored to each department or user type.
Spam and Spoofing Control
End-to-End Encryption
Another key security feature of FortiMail is its end-to-end encryption capability, which ensures that sensitive data remains protected both when active and when account owners are offline. Furthermore, this feature ensures compliance with data protection protocols such as GDPR in Europe or HIPAA in the USA.
In-Depth Analysis and Reporting
Finally, everything that passes through the application ends up recorded in the database. FortiMail includes a comprehensive suite of visual and exportable reports, allowing security managers to understand which threats have been blocked, where they came from, and how users behave within the company.
Pros and Cons of FortiMail
By now, it is becoming clear what the most positive and negative aspects of FortiMail are. While it is a very interesting solution, with an 8.5 in our functionality average, it also has negative parts that may not suit all businesses. Let’s break it all down to see what it stands out for and where it falls behind.
Advantages of FortiMail
- Multilayer protection against known and unknown threats.
- It integrates with the Fortinet ecosystem, one of the most robust in cybersecurity.
- Ideal for companies of any size, thanks to its physical and virtual devices (both on-premises and in the cloud)
- Complies with DLP policies and its encryption is adaptable to different regulations.
- Scalable and flexible for local, hybrid, or cloud environments.
- Includes advanced analytics and key performance and security metrics.
Disadvantages of FortiMail
- Its initial configuration is complex if the Fortinet environment is not previously known.
- Its cost can be high in environments with few users.
- Some advanced options require specialized training.
Who is FortiMail for?
Although its own system allows adaptation to all types of environments, it is important to make it very clear that FortiMail is a solution aimed at medium and large-sized companies, especially those that need to handle sensitive information or are subject to data protection regulations. It is particularly effective in companies with more than 500 employees, where information loss can have serious consequences.
Therefore, FortiMail is not especially recommended for small companies. While it will be a very useful tool that will protect your company from end to end, it may be too much… and in terms of cost and functionality, it is noticeable.
Main reasons to integrate FortiMail… or try another alternative
At this point, you just have to decide on FortiMail or try another option. However, after our analysis and observing the behavior of regular FortiMail users, we break down the most common reasons to switch to this software or try another, so you can decide without issues.
Why integrate FortiMail into your business?
- Many choose FortiMail after suffering phishing or malware incidents. After going through such a crisis, some businesses look for a powerful solution to stay protected.
- Large companies that have tried other solutions before usually decide on FortiMail as a way to unify email security with the rest of their Fortinet infrastructure
- It is also a great option for organizations from any field that need to comply with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or ISO 27001.
- For those who already have basic antispam protection, it can be a good way to raise the level.
Why reject FortiMail in your business?
- Small companies with simple filtering needs have easier options to protect themselves at the same level.
- If your IT team lacks experience with Fortinet, it is not a suitable option either.
- Companies that use closed suites like Microsoft Defender have better options in terms of simplicity.
How much does FortiMail cost? Plans, prices, and discounts
FortiMail follows a pricing structure based on annual subscription per user, but it greatly depends on the solution your company needs. You have to contact a provider to know their prices, and they depend on the number of users, the volume of emails, the need for features, and additional modules added.
Does FortiMail require technical knowledge?
Although it is not an excessively complex tool, FortiMail does require technical knowledge to integrate it, especially in advanced configurations related to security policies, integrations with LDAP/AD directories, or creation of specific DLP rules. Even so, Fortinet offers training, webinars, and forums to lower this barrier. Thus, for a basic deployment in small environments, a systems administrator will be enough to manage everything.
How many people are needed to manage FortiMail?
FortiMail is a simple tool, but it requires monitoring to function properly and be sufficiently useful. For companies with up to 1000 users, a team of between 1 and 2 people with experience in digital security should suffice. However, for larger companies, with between 2000 and 5000 employees, at least 3 to 4 IT professionals dedicated to it would be needed.
How long do users take to decide on FortiMail?
After analyzing it with companies that already use FortiMail, most companies make their decision within 2 to 6 weeks. Factors such as attack history, regulatory pressure, or ease of integration with Fortinet speed up the decision-making process for the audience.
How is FortiMail customer support?
FortiMail offers various contact methods: whether through direct phone, email, or live chat. Additionally, it provides different levels of SLA (from 8x5 support to 24/7) depending on the plan contracted in each case. And, finally, it has an active community that helps you solve problems in a matter of minutes, as well as access to tutorials and other types of detailed documentation.
Alternatives to FortiMail: Email Services to Consider
Although the email cybersecurity market is full of interesting solutions, the one we believe can compete most with FortiMail is Proofpoint Email Protection, one of the most complete software options for protecting corporate email. Proofpoint is a tool mainly aimed at large organizations that require exhaustive control of targeted threats, thus having a similar target to FortiMail.
Proofpoint’s strong point, moreover, is advanced threat intelligence, but it also excels in the detailed management of protection policies specific to user type or group, making it a particularly useful tool for high-demand environments. Other options that could also be considered are Mimecast, which offers a solid cloud solution with good integration with Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365, which can be more affordable and optimal for those already using the Microsoft ecosystem
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus | Proofpoint Essentials Email Security | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Rating | 4.9 | 4.2 |
| Pricing | Subscription | Paid |
Do we recommend FortiMail?
After our entire review, we can say loud and clear yes: FortiMail is a recommended alternative for companies that need a good email system protection tool. With a score of 8.5 in our review, it is clear that it is more than a valid option for the majority of company needs.
Still, everything depends on the type of business. It is software specifically designed for large companies, so it may be too much for smaller businesses. Additionally, its prices increase along with its features, so there are simpler and cheaper tools available on the market.