Safeguarding the move to cloud email

Protecting teams and data as communication shifts to cloud workspaces

Cloud-native platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace deliver core services, collaboration tools, and built-in efficiencies such as cost savings, scalability and simplified IT management. Yet as they transform how teams work, they also introduce new challenges in data security and identity protection. Cloud-based email can strengthen remote work and reduce infrastructure demands, but relying solely on a provider’s defenses can leave security gaps—making layered protection vital to safeguarding communication.

Protecting endpoints through defense layers

A business customer approached Six Degrees Consulting after retiring its data center–based email, eliminating the need for servers, storage, firewalls and antivirus software. After moving to a cloud-based provider, management noticed an uptick in spam, phishing and malware activity. The cloud-based service, which already provided safeguards and infrastructure, offered a security upgrade at an additional cost. But still, the breaches continued, and the latest upgrade introduced a new issue: numerous false positives. It was incorrectly flagging harmless activity as a threat, which disrupted employee workflows and strained the help desk.

Securing the cloud-native workplace

The security illusion of cloud-based email stems from the belief that broad platforms can fully protect users from threats. Ideally, cloud email should follow a shared responsibility model, in which providers secure the cloud infrastructure while customers secure their own data and users within it. Not fully understanding this sharing can expose organizations to targeted attacks that evade even the most comprehensive built-in protections.

Layered security for cloud-based providers

SDC recommended a layered security approach to protect the business in its new cloud-based phase. By introducing a high-performing, cloud-native email and collaboration solution, SDC demonstrated how malicious content could be scanned and blocked before it reached users’ inboxes. The rollout began as a pilot to validate performance, then expanded to higher-risk user groups for a broader demonstration.

The results spoke for themselves: reduced spam and phishing incidents, fewer false positives, and measurable time savings for IT. The business avoided investing in additional security tools from the provider and cut costs while lowering its attack exposure. The upfront trial proved the solution’s effectiveness, building confidence ahead of full deployment. Partnering with SDC from the start streamlined onboarding and ensured a smooth transition.

The takeaway: Solutions like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace offer strong protections, but as multi-tenant systems, their shared infrastructure inherently increases risk. A single misconfiguration, phishing campaign, or integration gap can bring unwanted exposure. Collaborative models strengthen security on the platform but not always for data or identities. To stay protected, businesses need layered defenses for stronger visibility and threat prevention, along with employee training and confident endpoint protection.