Why Replacing Your Email Security Solution Is a Growth Move, Not Just a Cost Cut

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, email remains the number one attack vector for threats like phishing, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC). For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), delivering reliable and scalable email security to clients is essential. But when it’s time to replace an outdated or underperforming solution, where do you start?

Choosing the Right Email Security Solution: 5 Key Questions MSPs Should Ask

Here are five critical questions MSPs should ask when evaluating a new email security platform, along with what to look for in the answers.

1. What Features Are Included in Your Email Security Solution?

At the top of your list should be a comprehensive set of email security features. An email security solution should go far beyond basic spam filtering. Look for:

• Advanced threat protection (ATP) against phishing, spear phishing, and zero-day attacks
• Malware and virus scanning
• Attachment sandboxing to detect sophisticated payloads
• Auto remediation
• URL/link rewriting and scanning
• Data loss prevention (DLP)
• Encryption for outbound messages
• Email continuity and archiving for compliance and disaster recovery
• The ability to add services like Security Awareness Training (SAT), Phishing Simulation and Web Filtering.

You're looking for a solution that not only blocks threats but also enhances your service offering, adding value through compliance, business continuity, and opportunities for future growth.

2. Is Your Solution Compatible with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace?

Most MSP clients use either Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Compatibility and seamless integration with these platforms are non-negotiable.

The ideal solution should:

• Support API-based integration (especially with Microsoft 365 via Graph API)
• Allow easy onboarding of tenants
• Preserve mail flow to avoid email disruption
• Offer user-friendly quarantine management for end users

MSPs should confirm whether the solution is fully cloud-native and optimized for modern SaaS environments.

3. How Does this Product Compare to Other Solutions?

Replacement conversations often start because an MSP is dissatisfied with an existing vendor due to pricing, lack of innovation, or poor support.

Ask the vendor how their platform differs in terms of:

• Detection accuracy and false positive/negative rates
• Usability and admin interface
• Support responsiveness and SLAs
• Support and any additional costs
• Pricing and billing flexibility
• Reporting and audit trails
• Roadmap and pace of feature development

Look for detailed comparisons and case studies, especially if switching from vendors like Mimecast, Barracuda, or Proofpoint.

4. Can this Solution be Centrally Managed Across Multiple Clients/Tenants?

Multi-tenancy is a must for operational efficiency. MSPs manage dozens or hundreds of client environments, so a single-pane-of-glass admin console is critical.

Evaluate whether the solution offers:

• Multi-tenant architecture
• Role-based access control (RBAC) for technicians
• Automated provisioning and policy templating
• Cross-tenant reporting

This central management reduces technician workload, accelerates onboarding, and ensures consistent policy enforcement across your client base.

5. What’s the Pricing Model, and is it MSP-Friendly?

Finally, ensure the pricing aligns with how you want to do business. The most flexible vendors offer:

• Monthly, usage-based billing (vs. annual commitments)
• No/minimal minimums per tenant
• Tiered discounts as you grow
• White labelling and margin protection
• API or PSA integration for automated billing

Ask if the vendor offers a partner program designed specifically for MSPs and what kind of sales, marketing, and technical support is included.

Replacing your Email Security Solution can be a Strategic Upgrade

Replacing your email security solution can be a strategic upgrade, not just a cost-cutting exercise. MSPs must find a cybersecurity platform that enhances security, simplifies management, and supports a recurring revenue model.

By starting with these five essential questions, you’ll be in a strong position to identify a partner that can scale with your growth and provide your clients with top-tier protection.

If you'd like to chat with one of our experts and ask your questions directly, we'd be delighted to speak with you. We’d love the chance to show you how we measure up. Get started now.