The implementation of Cisco Secure Email software, including Cisco Secure Email Gateway and Cisco Cloud/Hybrid Secure Email, involves several steps that can be completed relatively quickly due to its streamlined setup process. Here's an overview of the typical implementation process:
Initial Setup: The process begins with accessing the email cloud gateways via the web interface or command line interface. Users receive a Welcome Letter with necessary URLs and credentials for access.
Configuration of Email Gateways: Configure email authentication using SPF (Sender Policy Framework) or DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to verify email authenticity.
Outbound Email Routing: Set up the email gateways to relay outbound email on behalf of the organization. This involves configuring the gateways to work with existing email servers like Microsoft Exchange.
Recipient Validation: Implement SMTP call ahead validation to verify recipient addresses before sending emails, ensuring that only valid recipients receive messages.
Policy Setup: Use message filters to enforce email policies, such as blocking or quarantining suspicious emails.
Testing and Deployment: Test the configuration to ensure all settings are correct and then deploy the solution across the organization.
The implementation process is designed to be straightforward and can be completed in a short timeframe, often within minutes for simple setups, thanks to the system setup wizard.
Cisco Secure Email software can be customized to fit specific business needs through several features and options:
Advanced Threat Protection: Customize threat detection settings using Cisco's threat intelligence from Talos to better suit the organization's security posture.
Email Authentication: Configure SPF and DKIM settings to enhance email authenticity verification, reducing spam and phishing attempts.
Message Filters: Use message filters to enforce specific email policies, such as blocking certain types of attachments or quarantining suspicious emails.
Reporting and Analytics: Leverage comprehensive reporting tools to monitor email traffic and security events, allowing for adjustments to security policies based on insights gained.
Deployment Models: Choose from cloud, hybrid, or on-premises deployment models to align with existing infrastructure and security requirements.
User-Based Licensing: Apply licensing on a per-user basis rather than per device, providing flexibility in managing email security across diverse environments.
Cisco Secure Email typically involves several costs beyond the subscription fee, including setup fees, maintenance, and support charges. Here are some details on these additional costs:
Setup Fees: While specific setup fees are not detailed in the search results, Cisco Secure Email often includes a straightforward setup process that does not require additional setup fees. The solution can be configured instantly without altering MX records, reducing the need for professional services.
Maintenance Costs: Maintenance is generally included in the subscription model, ensuring that the service is always up-to-date with the latest security features and threat intelligence. This includes software updates and major upgrades to keep applications performing at their best.
Cisco Secure Email offers comprehensive training and support to new users, ensuring they can effectively utilize the platform's features. Here are some details on the training and support options:
Documentation and Guides: Cisco provides detailed documentation and guides to help users understand and configure the service. These resources cover setup, policy management, and troubleshooting.
Training Sessions: While specific training sessions are not mentioned in the search results, Cisco typically offers training through webinars, online courses, or instructor-led sessions for its products. These sessions help users master the platform's capabilities and best practices.
Support Options: Cisco offers several support options:
Email/Help Desk Support: Users can submit queries via email for assistance with technical issues or configuration questions.
Phone Support: Available for premium support plans, providing direct access to technical experts.
Online Community Forums: Cisco maintains community forums where users can share experiences and solutions to common issues.
Cisco Technical Assistance Center: Provides fast, specialized support as part of the standard subscription.
Cisco Secure Email employs several robust security measures to protect data:
Advanced Threat Protection: Utilizes threat intelligence from Talos to detect and block threats such as ransomware, advanced malware, phishing, and business email compromise (BEC) attacks.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Monitors outgoing emails to prevent the accidental or intentional exposure of confidential information. It enables the creation of comprehensive DLP policies to ensure compliance with regulations.
Encryption: Offers end-to-end encryption to secure sensitive information in transit, ensuring that only intended recipients can access the content23.
URL and Reputation Filtering: Automatically drops emails with risky links or blocks access to newly infected sites, protecting against phishing and BEC attacks2.
Cisco Secure Email updates are managed through a combination of automated and manual processes:
Frequency of Updates: Cisco continuously updates its threat intelligence and security features to stay ahead of emerging threats. These updates are typically rolled out automatically to all users, ensuring that the service remains effective against the latest threats.
Update Management: Since Cisco Secure Email is available in cloud, virtual, on-premises, or hybrid deployments, updates can be managed differently depending on the deployment model. Cloud deployments receive automatic updates, while on-premises solutions may require manual updates or configuration changes.
Security Intelligence Updates: Talos, Cisco's threat research team, provides real-time updates on new threats, which are integrated into the Cisco Secure Email service. This ensures that the platform remains effective against both known and unknown threats.
Cisco Secure Email's policy on data ownership and portability is outlined in its privacy data sheets and terms of service. Here are some key points:
Data Ownership: Customers retain ownership of their data processed through Cisco Secure Email. Cisco acts as a Data Processor for the personal data processed by the service to provide its functionality, while being the Data Controller for personal data related to customer relationships.
Data Portability: While specific details on data portability are not provided in the search results, Cisco generally allows customers to access and manage their data through the management console. This includes the ability to configure policies and view reports, which can be used to export data for analysis or compliance purposes.
Cisco Secure Email offers flexible terms for scaling up or down as organizational needs change:
Subscription Model: The service operates on a subscription basis, allowing customers to adjust their subscription levels based on the number of users or features required. This flexibility supports easy scaling up or down without significant contractual barriers.
Charge Metrics: The service is typically charged based on the number of users or devices using the service. This means that as an organization grows or shrinks, it can adjust its subscription accordingly to reflect the actual usage.
Changes to Subscription: Customers can modify their subscriptions by contacting Cisco directly. This process involves communicating changes to the subscription or entitlement, which can be done through designated channels as specified in the service agreement.
Cisco Secure Email contracts typically follow standard terms and conditions for renewal and cancellation. Here are some key points based on available information:
Contract Duration: Contracts usually have an initial term of one to three years, depending on the agreement. After the initial term, the contract may automatically renew unless cancelled by the customer.
Renewal Process: Customers can renew their subscriptions by contacting Cisco or their authorized resellers. The last day to renew or add to an existing subscription for certain Cisco Secure Email products was March 28, 2022, due to end-of-sale and end-of-life announcements.
Cancellation Process: To cancel a subscription, customers must notify Cisco in writing before the end of the current term. Cancellation may result in termination of services, and fees already paid are generally non-refundable.
Support Continuation: Customers with active service contracts and subscriptions continue to receive support from the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) as per their service agreement.
Cisco Secure Email software is designed to meet various compliance standards to ensure data security and regulatory adherence. Here are some of the key standards it supports:
GDPR Compliance: Cisco Secure Email supports compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by providing features like encryption and data loss prevention, which help manage personal data in accordance with GDPR requirements.
HIPAA Compliance: The service supports compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) by offering features such as encryption and access controls that protect sensitive health information.
PCI-DSS Compliance: Cisco Secure Email aids in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) by protecting cardholder data through encryption and secure email transmission.
Cisco Secure Email
By Cisco
