How MSSPs use secure email platforms to reduce human-element breaches

Human error, clicking the wrong link, replying to a convincing impostor, or misconfiguring an inbox, continues to be the easiest pathway for attackers. Modern threat actors weaponize psychology and routine business processes (invoices, HR notices, calendar invites) to trick people into giving up credentials or delivering sensitive data. Organizations dealing with overstretched security teams and expanding attack surfaces are increasingly turning to managed security service providers (MSSPs) to fill a critical gap. MSSPs offer continuous monitoring, user-focused controls, and enterprise-level secure email platforms designed to minimize the "human element" involved in breaches.

Why the human element still dominates breaches

Recent industry reports make it clear that people are a central target for attack. The Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) found that the human element was involved in 60% of all data breaches, demonstrating that even the most advanced security tools can’t fully compensate for human error.

According to the report, credential abuse and social actions were major contributing factors. Cybercriminals increasingly exploit trust, curiosity, and urgency to manipulate employees into clicking malicious links, sharing credentials, or bypassing security protocols. These social engineering tactics are effective because they target human psychology, not just technology.

Even well-trained employees can be deceived by sophisticated phishing emails or deepfake communications that mimic legitimate senders. Moreover, everyday mistakes, like sending sensitive data to the wrong recipient or reusing passwords, can expose organizations to significant risk.

This persistent human vulnerability indicates why cybersecurity strategies must focus on both technology and continuous employee awareness, training, and secure communication practices to reduce the likelihood of human-element breaches. 

Why use email as a vector

According to the article, Email is still the biggest attack vector out there, and it needs to change, “The trust we place in that inbox is one of the key reasons it’s been the biggest - and most successful - vector for cyberattack for years. In fact, phishing accounts for over a third - 36% - of all data breaches in the US.” The author also notes, “When we see an email in our inbox, we often trust its provenance without considering that it’s a key attack vector.” 

This misplaced trust creates fertile ground for cybercriminals. Unlike network exploits or zero-day vulnerabilities, email doesn’t require advanced technical skills to weaponize; only a convincing message and a distracted recipient. Attackers exploit the inherent credibility of business correspondence, spoof familiar domains, or impersonate trusted contacts to manipulate users into sharing credentials or transferring money. Because email is central to virtually every business function, including billing, HR, procurement, and customer support, it provides easy access to critical systems and data.

Moreover, attackers take advantage of the emotional and time-sensitive nature of workplace communication. Phishing emails often mimic urgent requests from executives, password expiration alerts, or payment approvals, leveraging social engineering to override caution. 

The 2023 IBM cost of a data breach report found that 16% of all data breaches started with a phishing email, and in 2024, the number decreased to 15%. 

Despite this slight decline, phishing remains a dominant entry point for attackers, stressing that user behavior, not just technology, continues to drive security risk. Until organizations combine advanced email security with consistent user education and behavioral monitoring, email will remain the path of least resistance for cybercriminals.

Read also: Understanding email threats targeting healthcare

What MSSPs offer organizations

According to IBM’s 2024 guide on the benefits of managed security service providers (MSSPs), partnering with an MSSP offers a strategic way for organizations to strengthen their defenses against a growing and complex array of cyberthreats. MSSPs don’t just deploy technology; they bring structure, expertise, and scalability to an organization’s security posture. When applied to email security, these capabilities help businesses reduce human-element breaches, protect sensitive communications, and maintain compliance across industries.

Access to advanced technologies

MSSPs invest heavily in state-of-the-art security tools, including advanced email filtering, AI-driven threat detection, and encryption platforms, that many organizations could not afford on their own. By partnering with an MSSP, organizations gain access to next-generation secure email platforms capable of detecting phishing, spoofing, and credential theft attempts in real time. This reduces the likelihood that a human error, like clicking on a malicious link, turns into a breach.

Compliance assistance

Email is often at the center of regulatory compliance efforts, from HIPAA in healthcare to GDPR and PCI DSS in finance and retail. MSSPs assist organizations in meeting and maintaining compliance by implementing policies that govern how sensitive information is transmitted through email. They also help generate reports and audit trails that demonstrate compliance during regulatory reviews or after an incident. For example, healthcare providers can rely on MSSP-managed secure email gateways to ensure protected health information (PHI) is encrypted and accessible only to authorized personnel.

Core business focus

Managing email security internally can consume significant time and resources. By outsourcing security management to an MSSP, organizations can focus on their core operations, such as patient care, research, or product development, without being distracted by daily threat monitoring. MSSPs handle the technical complexities of phishing mitigation, spam filtering, and policy enforcement so that internal teams can concentrate on business growth rather than security firefighting.

Cost efficiency

MSSPs deliver enterprise-grade security at predictable, subscription-based pricing, sparing organizations from the cost of acquiring expensive infrastructure or hiring in-house security specialists. Because MSSPs serve multiple clients using scalable, multi-tenant solutions, they spread costs efficiently while maintaining high levels of protection. This is especially valuable in email security, where threat landscapes evolve daily and continuous updates are critical. Organizations benefit from always-current defenses, without needing to constantly upgrade their own systems.

Expertise

Email security requires more than just technology; it demands insight into social-engineering tactics, phishing trends, and attacker behavior. MSSPs employ seasoned cybersecurity professionals who specialize in these areas and stay up to date with evolving threats and vulnerabilities. Their expertise ensures that email systems are configured with the right balance of security and usability, helping organizations block malicious messages while avoiding false positives that disrupt legitimate communications.

Peace of mind

With 24/7 surveillance and proactive threat management, MSSPs provide peace of mind to organizations that their most common attack vector, email, is being continuously monitored. MSSPs keep abreast of the latest phishing campaigns, ransomware lures, and zero-day exploits, applying this intelligence to client environments in real time. This proactive approach significantly reduces the window of exposure between detection and response, keeping businesses one step ahead of attackers.

Scalability

Whether a small clinic or a multinational enterprise, every organization relies on email. MSSPs offer scalable services that can adapt to evolving needs, from adding new users to integrating advanced analytics or security automation. This flexibility ensures that email security remains robust even as the organization grows, merges with others, or expands into new markets with different regulatory requirements.

Solution configuration and management

A typical enterprise might use dozens of security tools, many of which fail to integrate seamlessly. MSSPs help rationalize and optimize security stacks, ensuring that email security solutions work in concert with identity management, endpoint protection, and cloud applications. They configure encryption, filtering, and authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to align with broader organizational policies, ensuring both interoperability and efficiency.

‘Always on’ monitoring and response

One of the greatest advantages of an MSSP is its “always on” security operations center (SOC). These 24/7 teams monitor email traffic for anomalies, respond to suspicious activity, and investigate alerts that could signal phishing campaigns or account takeovers. In the context of email security, this means immediate action when a malicious message bypasses filters or a user reports a suspicious link, minimizing damage and downtime.

See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide (2025 Update)

How to choose the right MSSP and secure email stack

Not all MSSPs are equal. Look for providers who:

• Operate 24/7 SOCs with email-specialist analysts. Managed email is a niche: you need people who know DMARC nuances, mailflow for cloud providers, and BEC indicators. 
• Provide integrated human-centric services: simulation, targeted coaching, and one-click reporting tied into incident playbooks. 
• Offer clear SLAs and transparent reporting, including phishing metrics, detection/containment times, and a history of policy-and-playbook changes.

Read more: How to vet an MSSP for healthcare compliance

FAQS

What is an MSSP?

A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) is an external company that manages and monitors an organization’s cybersecurity operations. MSSPs provide continuous protection through services like threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management, often using advanced tools such as secure email gateways and endpoint protection platforms.

What is a secure email platform?

A secure email platform is a solution that protects messages from unauthorized access and tampering. It typically includes encryption, advanced spam and phishing detection, data loss prevention (DLP), and authentication protocols to ensure that only trusted parties can send or receive sensitive messages.

How do MSSPs provide 24/7 protection?

MSSPs operate Security Operations Centers (SOCs) that monitor client environments around the clock. These teams detect threats, analyze alerts, and respond to incidents in real time, ensuring that even after business hours, email systems and networks remain secure.