Summary
G Suite offers built-in, machine-learning-powered spam filtering, quarantine features, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP). It's generally easier to set up and manage for basic security needs. Proofpoint, as a specialized email gateway, provides advanced threat protection (ATP), including URL defense, attachment sandboxing, Targeted Attack Protection (TAP), and email encryption. It integrates with G Suite for a layered approach, offering more comprehensive protection against sophisticated threats like phishing and malware. Proofpoint also provides features like phishing simulations and security awareness training. Experts recommend layering Proofpoint on top of G Suite for organizations needing robust security beyond G Suite's basic features. G Suite and Proofpoint can integrate using APIs to allow Proofpoint to enhance G-Suite's default functionality.
Key findings
- Basic vs. Advanced Security: G Suite provides basic, built-in security features, while Proofpoint offers advanced threat protection.
- Layered Approach: Proofpoint can be layered on top of G Suite to enhance security.
- Threat Protection: Proofpoint provides ATP features like URL defense, attachment sandboxing, and TAP.
- Ease of Use: G Suite is generally easier to set up and manage for basic email security.
- Integration: G Suite and Proofpoint integrate through APIs.
- Additional Features: Proofpoint includes phishing simulations and security awareness training.
- Data Loss Prevention: Both G Suite and Proofpoint provide Data Loss Prevention (DLP) features.
Key considerations
- Security Needs: Determine if basic G Suite security is sufficient or if advanced protection from Proofpoint is required.
- Technical Expertise: Assess whether the organization has the technical expertise to manage Proofpoint's more complex configuration.
- Cost: Consider the additional cost of Proofpoint versus relying solely on G Suite's security.
- Compliance Requirements: Evaluate the need for features like email encryption for compliance with regulations.
- Interface Preference: Consider whether a preference for the G Suite interface impacts the decision to layer Proofpoint.
- Integration Complexity: Assess the complexity involved with integrating Proofpoint into the existing G Suite environment
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
G Suite provides basic, integrated email security features as part of its productivity suite, inheriting some functionality from Postini. Proofpoint, on the other hand, is a specialized email gateway offering advanced threat protection (ATP) features like URL defense, attachment sandboxing, anti-phishing, and data loss prevention. Proofpoint integrates with G Suite to provide a layered security approach, particularly effective against sophisticated threats. G Suite offers quarantine features for reviewing suspicious emails, and is generally easier to set up and manage for basic security needs. Proofpoint requires more expertise but offers more comprehensive protection and features like phishing simulations and security awareness training.
Key opinions
- Security Focus: Proofpoint specializes in email security, while G Suite offers security as part of a broader productivity suite.
- Threat Protection: Proofpoint provides advanced threat protection (ATP), including URL defense, attachment defense, and sandboxing.
- Integration: Proofpoint can integrate with G Suite to provide a layered security approach.
- Ease of Use: G Suite is generally easier to set up and manage for basic email security.
- Quarantine: G Suite offers quarantine features for reviewing suspicious emails.
- Advanced Features: Proofpoint offers advanced features like phishing simulations and security awareness training.
Key considerations
- Security Needs: Determine the level of security required. Basic protection might be sufficient with G Suite, while advanced protection requires Proofpoint.
- Expertise: Assess in-house expertise. Proofpoint requires more technical knowledge to configure and maintain.
- Cost: Consider the additional cost of Proofpoint versus relying solely on G Suite's built-in security.
- Integration: Evaluate the ease and effectiveness of integrating Proofpoint with the existing G Suite environment.
- Compliance: Evaluate compliance and data loss prevention requirements as a key criteria.
Marketer view
Email marketer from CyberSecurityForums responds that Proofpoint offers integrated phishing simulation and security awareness training tools to educate users about phishing attacks. This helps users to identify and avoid phishing emails, which can reduce the risk of successful attacks.
3 Apr 2023 - CyberSecurityForums
Marketer view
Email marketer from TechTarget Forums responds that G Suite is generally easier to set up and manage for basic email security, while Proofpoint requires more technical expertise to configure and maintain. However, the added complexity of Proofpoint comes with greater security features.
19 May 2023 - TechTarget Forums
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Both experts suggest that G Suite and Proofpoint can be used together. While G Suite provides basic email security, Proofpoint offers more comprehensive advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and compliance features. Organizations can layer Proofpoint on top of G Suite, especially if they prefer the G Suite interface but require more robust security.
Key opinions
- Combined Use: G Suite and Proofpoint can be used together for enhanced security.
- Layered Approach: Proofpoint can be layered on top of G Suite.
- Comprehensive Security: Proofpoint offers advanced threat protection, DLP, and compliance features not found in G Suite's basic security.
Key considerations
- Interface Preference: Consider if the G Suite interface is preferred, as Proofpoint can augment it.
- Security Requirements: Assess the level of security needed; Proofpoint is recommended for organizations requiring robust security measures beyond basic email protection.
- Feature Set: Evaluate the need for advanced threat protection, DLP, and compliance features offered by Proofpoint.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that while G Suite provides basic email security, Proofpoint offers a more comprehensive solution with advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and compliance features. Organizations needing robust security often layer Proofpoint (or similar) on top of G Suite.
17 Jan 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that you can actually use both Proofpoint and G Suite together - you can layer proofpoint on top of G Suite if you prefer the G Suite interface.
18 Feb 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
G Suite includes built-in spam filtering powered by machine learning with customizable settings and quarantine options. It also offers Data Loss Prevention (DLP) features to prevent sensitive data from being shared. Proofpoint's Targeted Attack Protection (TAP) analyzes and blocks malicious content, including phishing and malware. Proofpoint also offers email encryption for protecting sensitive information. G Suite integrates with third-party security solutions like Proofpoint via API for enhanced protections.
Key findings
- Spam Filtering: G Suite includes built-in, machine-learning-powered spam filtering with customizable settings.
- Targeted Attack Protection: Proofpoint's TAP analyzes and blocks phishing, malware, and other targeted attacks.
- Data Loss Prevention: G Suite provides DLP features to prevent sensitive data sharing via email.
- Email Encryption: Proofpoint offers email encryption for protecting sensitive information and complying with regulations.
- Integration: G Suite integrates with third-party security solutions like Proofpoint via API.
Key considerations
- Spam Detection: Evaluate the effectiveness of G Suite's built-in spam filtering for the organization's specific needs.
- Advanced Threats: Consider Proofpoint's TAP if protection against targeted attacks is a priority.
- Data Security: Determine if G Suite's DLP features are sufficient or if Proofpoint's additional DLP capabilities are needed.
- Compliance: Assess whether email encryption is required for compliance and if Proofpoint's encryption features are necessary.
- Customization: Assess requirements for customization options such as custom quarantine rules and exceptions and which system works best.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that G-Suite has integration options with third party security solutions like Proofpoint via API, so that G-Suite is still able to perform it's designed functionality and third party providers can enhance existing protections.
21 Mar 2025 - Microsoft Learn
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that G Suite (Google Workspace) includes built-in spam filtering powered by machine learning. It automatically detects and filters spam emails, placing them in the spam folder. Administrators can customize spam filter settings and create rules to block or quarantine specific senders or domains.
12 Mar 2022 - Google Workspace Admin Help
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