Mimecast vs Cisco Secure Email -- Enterprise Email Gateway Compared

Mimecast vs Cisco Secure Email

Cisco Secure Email and Mimecast are both enterprise email gateway solutions. Cisco Secure Email enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration, while Mimecast cloud email security platform with threat protection, archiving, and continuity. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.

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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 Mimecast if email continuity keeps mail flowing during outages — unique differentiator matters most and mid-to-large enterprises wanting a unified email security, archiving, and continuity platform with strong API integrations.

Used Mimecast or Cisco Secure Email? Share your experience.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureCisco Secure EmailMimecast
PricingCustom pricing / per-user licensingCustom enterprise pricing / per-user licensing
Pricing ModelPer-user subscriptionPer-user subscription or appliance license
Open SourceNoNo
DeploymentCloudCloud, Self-Hosted
Best ForMid-to-large enterprises wanting a unified email security, archiving, and continuity platform with strong API integrationsCisco-centric enterprises wanting email security that integrates with their existing Cisco networking and security stack
Advanced malware protection with Talo...Not availableSupported
Forged email detection for BECNot availableSupported
Cisco SecureX integration for cross-d...Not availableSupported

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Cisco Secure Email when:

  • +You value email continuity keeps mail flowing during outages — unique differentiator
  • +You value strong impersonation and brand protection capabilities
  • +You value unified platform covering security, archiving, and continuity
  • +You want to avoid bEC detection significantly behind Proofpoint and Abnormal Security
  • +You want to avoid administration interface feels dated and complex

Choose Mimecast 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 detection efficacy slightly behind Proofpoint for advanced threats
  • +You want to avoid email archiving search performance can be slow on large datasets

Pros & Cons Comparison

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

Mimecast

Pros

  • +Email continuity keeps mail flowing during outages — unique differentiator
  • +Strong impersonation and brand protection capabilities
  • +Unified platform covering security, archiving, and continuity
  • +Good API ecosystem for SIEM and SOAR integrations
  • +Easier administration compared to Proofpoint for mid-market teams

Cons

  • Detection efficacy slightly behind Proofpoint for advanced threats
  • Email archiving search performance can be slow on large datasets
  • Pricing is still premium and comparable to Proofpoint
  • URL rewriting can break some legitimate links
  • Security awareness training less mature than dedicated platforms

Sources & References

  1. Cisco Secure Email — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
  2. Mimecast — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
  3. Cisco Secure Email Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  4. Mimecast Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  5. Cisco Secure Email Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  6. Mimecast Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  7. Cisco Secure Email Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
  8. Mimecast Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
  9. Gartner Magic Quadrant for Email Security 2024[Analyst Report]
  10. Forrester Wave: Enterprise Email Security, Q2 2024[Analyst Report]
  11. SE Labs: Email Security Gateway Tests[Independent Testing]
  12. Anti-Phishing Working Group: Phishing Activity Trends[Industry Research]
  13. Gartner Peer Insights: Email Security[Peer Reviews]

Mimecast vs Cisco Secure Email FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Mimecast and Cisco Secure Email.

What is the main difference between Mimecast and Cisco Secure Email?

Cisco Secure Email and Mimecast are both enterprise email gateway solutions. Cisco Secure Email enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration, while Mimecast cloud email security platform with threat protection, archiving, and continuity. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.

Is Cisco Secure Email better than Mimecast?

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 Mimecast if email continuity keeps mail flowing during outages — unique differentiator matters most and mid-to-large enterprises wanting a unified email security, archiving, and continuity platform with strong API integrations.

How much does Cisco Secure Email cost compared to Mimecast?

Cisco Secure Email pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / per-user licensing. Mimecast pricing: Custom pricing / per-user licensing. Cisco Secure Email's pricing model is per-user subscription or appliance license, while Mimecast uses per-user subscription pricing.

Can I migrate from Mimecast to Cisco Secure Email?

Yes, you can migrate from Mimecast to Cisco Secure Email. 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.