iQuanti: While email has been around since the dawn of the Internet, there's plenty about our favorite online communication method that has changed over the years. Perhaps most significantly, and like many other online tools, email is now increasingly based in the cloud.

But what does this mean for the average user? How does it affect your company email? And how are secure email services assured when all your data is stored in the cloud? Here, we look at the differences between conventional and cloud-based email and why making the switch can help increase safety and security.

What's the Difference Between Standard Email and Cloud-Based Email? 

In truth, many individuals have been using cloud-based email for a long time. In fact, all popular email providers are essentially cloud-based. This means that all of your data is stored on a server or servers operated by the email provider.   

However, in the past, large and small companies tended to stick with conventional email hosted on their own servers. This meant that an IT department managed all the data on a server operated on company premises.

The difference between the two can seem relatively insignificant for the average user; however, for companies that need to provide multiple email accounts for employees, there are many benefits to switching to the cloud.

Perhaps most importantly, there are multiple ways that companies can provide secure email services by using cloud-based email. Let's look at how it works and why cloud-based email security is becoming increasingly popular.

What Does Cloud-Based Email Security Protect Against 

Cloud-based email security protects both users and companies in a variety of ways, many of which will already be familiar but with the added benefits of being more responsive to evolving cybersecurity threats. Most common cloud-based secure email services include:

• Anti-Phishing — Cloud-based email protects users against phishing attacks by blocking known attacks and analyzing potential threats.
• Malware Protection — Cloud-based email delivers sophisticated anti-malware identification that protects users from downloading harmful files.
• Account Protection — Remote working has made account takeovers more prevalent. Cloud-based email can implement behavioral analytics to protect the user.
• Data Loss Protection — Email is one of the most common ways sensitive data is leaked. Cloud-based email security can be tailored to protect this data and support regulatory compliance.

What Are the Benefits of Cloud-Based Email Security? 

While cloud-based email security usually offers many of the same protections as conventional email, the decentralized servers and constantly evolving technological advances can help boost safety and security. This is thanks to several reasons:

• Scalable Servers — Easy scalability means you can offer users high levels of protection while your company grows.
• Free Up IT Resources — Cloud-based servers require less maintenance than company-operated servers, leaving your IT team to focus on security.
• Fast Updates — Constantly evolving cybersecurity threats require regular updates to your email protection. Cloud-based email means your email solution is always up-to-date.
• Advanced Email Security Features — Advanced features such as improved compliance, additional layers of security, and the implementation of AI-powered threat detection can all improve email security.

As more companies move over to cloud-based email services, both the level of security and the associated technologies will continue to improve. Cloud-based email is quickly becoming the most secure option for companies of any size—meaning fewer companies will opt for older and less responsive company-based email servers in the future.