Proofpoint achieves IRAP certification for email security

Proofpoint has completed the Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) for its email protection solutions, enabling the cybersecurity provider to meet Australian government standards.

The IRAP certification confirms that Proofpoint aligns with the security protocols enforced by the Australian Signals Directorate at the PROTECTED classification level, crucial for government agencies navigating complex cyber threats and regulatory landscapes.

With Australia's Cyber Security Act mandating rigorous security for government bodies, Proofpoint's timing in achieving this certification is significant. Email fraud continues to present severe risks, as 61% of public sector Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) have indicated it as their primary concern.

Proofpoint, which has expanded capabilities to tackle human-related risks, supports a large number of state government customers including emergency services and healthcare. The IRAP assessment status boosts Proofpoint's capacity to offer email protection to government entities with stringent data demands.

According to the company's 2024 Voice of the CISO report, 74% of public sector CISOs anticipate a material cyber attack on their organisations within the next 12 months. Proofpoint email protection is designed to manage inbound email policies and detect threats, particularly those involving business email compromise aimed at data and financial thefts, complemented by compliance and archive functionalities.

"As government agencies continue to modernise their cyber security posture in line with the Australian Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030, we remain committed to contributing to the ecosystem by continuously investing in Australia. Following the launch of Australian data centres last year, achieving IRAP PROTECTED assessment is another important milestone for Proofpoint. We are excited to extend our expertise and solutions to more public sector customers, ensuring their most critical security vector—email—is protected with our leading solutions," said Crispin Kerr, Area Vice President, Australia and New Zealand, Proofpoint.

The report also notes that 78% of public sector CISOs regard human error as the largest cyber vulnerability, with 87% considering the deployment of artificial intelligence to mitigate human and sophisticated threats in digital landscapes.

"By completing the IRAP PROTECTED assessment, we are demonstrating our strong commitment to collaborating with all levels of public sector agencies and partners with a human-centric security approach," said Adrian Covich, Senior Director, Systems Engineering, Asia Pacific and Japan at Proofpoint. "We're eager to explore the opportunities this opens up as we continue supporting the Australian Government in creating a safer, more secure digital space."

The obligatory reassessments mandated by IRAP facilitate ongoing security enhancements, allowing Proofpoint to maintain a defence against evolving cybersecurity threats.