Proofpoint vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of Top 11 Email Security Software. Last verified July 4, 2026.
The short answer
Proofpoint ranks higher on Top 11 (#2 vs #6) for IT and security leaders. Full gateway plus DLP and encryption for regulated firms.
At a glance
| Proofpoint | Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #2 / Top 11 Email Security Software | #6 / Top 11 Email Security Software |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9 | 8.5 |
| Best for | Best for regulated enterprise gateways | Best for existing Cisco security shops |
| Pricing | $$$ (custom, per-user enterprise pricing) | $$$ (custom, per-user enterprise pricing) |
| HQ | Sunnyvale, USA | San Jose, USA |
| Founded | 2002 | 1984 |
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
Talos-backed detection wired into the Cisco stack.
www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/security/secure-email/index.htmlMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.