KnowBe4 holds a narrow lead over HoxHunt for security awareness training and large template catalogs. When buyers require email security for 10,000 or more employees, Proofpoint is the usual answer.
Since July, HoxHuntrising has become the most named platform for employee phishing simulations, while Mimecastrising gained ground on attachment sandboxing questions. VIPREfalling dropped out of regular mentions for gateway sandboxing.
Latest insights
Week of Sep 21–27 · Since Jul 5
Proofpoint Gap between platforms: A 8.8-point platform gap for Proofpoint in Email Phishing Defense & Awareness Platforms: ChatGPT Search 51%, Google AI Mode 42.2%
Cofense Gap between platforms: The platform gap for Cofense in Email Phishing Defense & Awareness Platforms narrowed to 15.6 points, ChatGPT Search ahead
Cofense Slipping: Cofense dropped 1 place to rank #7 of 100 in Email Phishing Defense & Awareness Platforms
Abnormal Security Slipping: Abnormal Security now ranks #10 in Email Phishing Defense & Awareness Platforms, down from #8
Abnormal Security Slipping: Abnormal Security fell behind Google Workspace in Email Phishing Defense & Awareness Platforms
54% of citations point at the ranked brands’ own sites. gartner.com, reddit.com, expertinsights.com are the most-cited sites outside the ranked brands’ own domains.
Best security awareness training platforms for employees (2026)
My overall recommendation is KnowBe4 for most organizations. It offers a broad training library, automated phishing simulations, employee risk scoring, and reporting that can support both ongoing security awareness and compliance programs.
However, if your priority is changing employee behavior rather than simply completing mandatory training, Hoxhunt deserves a close look. If you already use Proofpoint for email security, its training platform may be a better fit for your existing security stack.
How can I set up a secure environment to analyze email attachments for malware without risking my corporate network?
I need a way to safely open and inspect suspicious email attachments for malware in an isolated environment. What tools allow me to do this without endangering our internal network?
I need a way to safely open and inspect suspicious email attachments for malware in an isolated space so my company network stays protected. What tools or methods should I use?
For a company facing frequent phishing attempts, which email security gateways or phishing defense tools provide the best catch rates and user training?
We need to provide security training to 10,000+ employees. What's the best enterprise security awareness training platform?
Google AI Mode· Oct 13, 2026
When rolling out security awareness training to a massive workforce of 10,000 employees , "the best" platform depends on how your enterprise balances compliance checklists versus behavioral culture change . At this scale, automation, robust API integrations with your identity provider (like Azure AD/Okta ), multi-language support, and low administrative overhead are critical.
Best for: Microsoft 365 organizations that want to evaluate their existing security tools before buying another vendor.
Attack simulation training for phishing and social engineering.
Simulation results and user training workflows.
Potentially simpler administration within the Microsoft environment.
Trade-off: Availability depends on your Microsoft licensing, and you should compare its content library and broader training capabilities with dedicated platforms.
One important consideration: Microsoft Defender for Office 365's Attack Simulation Training requires Microsoft 365 E5 or Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 for full access. Check your current licensing before treating it as the lowest-cost option.
What I would evaluate before buying
Regardless of vendor, prioritize these five capabilities:
Realistic phishing simulations: Include credential-harvesting lures, business email compromise, QR-code phishing, and other scenarios relevant to your workforce.
Automated remedial training: Employees who struggle should receive targeted follow-up education.
Simple phishing reporting: Make it easy for employees to report suspicious real-world emails.
Actionable metrics: Track reporting rates, click rates, repeat failures, and training completion—not just whether employees watched a video.
Low administrative overhead: Look for identity-provider integration, automated onboarding, scheduling, and useful management reports.
My suggested shortlist is KnowBe4, Hoxhunt, and Microsoft Defender if you already have the appropriate Microsoft licensing. Run a pilot with each viable candidate and compare employee reporting behavior, administrator effort, and total annual cost.
Best phishing simulation and security awareness training services
As of October 2026, my shortlist would start with KnowBe4, Hoxhunt, Proofpoint, Cofense, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365. They serve different needs: comprehensive training libraries, personalized phishing exercises, enterprise threat intelligence, incident reporting, and Microsoft 365 integration. Independent buyer guides and Gartner Peer Insights reviews also identify KnowBe4, Hoxhunt, and Proofpoint among the leading platforms.
The most important distinction is whether you want to simply test employees' ability to recognize phishing or run a continuous program that improves security behavior and measures risk reduction.
Top recommendations at a glance
1. KnowBe4
(Best overall starting point)
Broad training library, automated phishing campaigns, remedial lessons, compliance content, and reporting. A strong all-round choice for small businesses through large enterprises that want one platform to manage a workforce-wide program.
Best for: broad coverage, program maturity, and flexible administration.
Emphasizes personalized phishing simulations, short follow-up training, gamification, and encouraging employees to report suspicious messages. Worth prioritizing when engagement and sustained behavior change matter more than having the largest content catalog.
Best for: engaging employees and building consistent reporting habits.
Strong option for organizations that want awareness training connected to a broader email-security and threat-intelligence strategy. Particularly worth evaluating if Proofpoint is already part of your security environment.
Best for: enterprise security teams and threat-informed training.
Particularly attractive when you want employees to report suspicious emails and have those reports feed into security operations and phishing investigation workflows.
Best for: phishing reporting, triage, and SOC integration.
Its Attack Simulation Training capability is a natural option for Microsoft 365 organizations, with simulated phishing and targeted training workflows integrated into Microsoft's security ecosystem. Check your existing license before purchasing another platform.
Best for: Microsoft-centric organizations and leveraging existing licenses.
These are best-fit recommendations rather than a universal ranking: capabilities, licensing, and suitability vary by organization.
Other services worth evaluating
Service
Where it stands out
Infosec IQ
Broad awareness and compliance training, with phishing simulations.
NINJIO
Short, story-driven video lessons designed to make training more memorable.
SANS Security Awareness
Security education and role-based training for organizations that want deeper educational content.
These are credible alternatives for different training styles, existing security stacks, and organizational requirements.
How to choose the right service
I would evaluate vendors against these six criteria before making a purchase.
1. Realistic phishing exercises
Look for spear-phishing, business email compromise, executive impersonation, credential-harvesting simulations, QR-code lures, and scenarios relevant to your industry.
2. Effective education
Employees should receive brief, relevant coaching after a simulated mistake, alongside ongoing lessons on MFA, password security, data handling, and social engineering.
3. Useful performance metrics
Require reporting on click rates, credential-submission rates, suspicious-message reporting rates, repeat failures, and trends over time. Completion rates alone aren't enough.
4. Automation and integrations
Check support for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, single sign-on, HR directories, learning management systems, and your incident-reporting workflow.
5. Compliance and audit evidence
If you have regulatory obligations, verify course coverage, completion records, exportable reports, and evidence retention against your specific requirements.
6. Total cost and administrative effort
Compare annual cost per employee, minimum seat requirements, available modules, implementation fees, and the staff time needed to run campaigns.
What I would do before buying
Run a pilot with two or three shortlisted vendors using the same employee groups, similar simulation difficulty, and a comparable measurement period.
Track these metrics before and after training:
Phishing click rate: the percentage of recipients who click a simulated malicious link.
Credential-submission rate: the percentage who enter credentials into a simulated phishing page.
Reporting rate: the percentage who correctly report suspicious messages.
Repeat susceptibility: whether employees who previously fell for a simulation improve over time.
Time to report: how quickly suspicious messages reach the security team.
Prefer a platform that improves reporting behavior and reduces repeat susceptibility without overwhelming employees or your security operations team. Keep exercises educational and proportionate; avoid collecting real passwords or using simulations to shame individual employees.
My final recommendation
For most organizations: start with KnowBe4.
For an engaging, adaptive program: evaluate Hoxhunt.
For an enterprise already invested in email security: compare Proofpoint and Cofense.
For an organization already licensed for Microsoft Defender for Office 365: assess Microsoft's built-in simulation capabilities before adding a separate vendor.
One question that would help me narrow this to the best two or three options: approximately how many employees need training, and are you primarily using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
Top-tier providers in the market categorize into distinct operational styles:
KnowBe4 is the massive industry heavyweight. It offers the world’s largest library of security awareness content, modular training templates, and extensive, highly customizable automated phishing campaigns. It is ideal for organizations that want a massive selection of content and deep, rigid compliance reporting.[]()
Proofpoint Security AwarenessProofpoint Security Awareness — Exceptional for its deep integration with global threat intelligence, letting organizations build simulations directly modeled on active, real-world attacks observed in the wild.
IRONSCALESIRONSCALES — Combines integrated security awareness training with an AI-powered phishing simulator and automated incident response, making it strong for fusing human reporting with technical mitigation.
Leading employee security awareness platforms with phishing simulation (2026)
The strongest shortlist for employee security awareness programs includes KnowBe4, Hoxhunt, Proofpoint ZenGuide, Cofense, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365. Other strong options include Mimecast, Infosec IQ, SoSafe, and NINJIO.
These platforms combine employee training with simulated phishing attacks, reporting, and analytics. The main difference is whether your priority is broad training content, realistic adaptive simulations, compliance, or integration with your existing security stack. Gartner Peer Insights and recent 2026 comparisons identify several of these vendors as leading options in the category.
Choosing the "best" security awareness platform depends heavily on your company culture, size, and how much administrative overhead your IT/security team can handle . There isn't a single universal winner, but a few industry leaders stand out based on distinct organizational needs.
The top platforms on the market for phishing simulations and awareness training fall into these key categories:
KnowBe4 — Best for massive content libraries & compliance
The Vibe: The heavyweight champion and market giant.
Pros: Features an enormous (and constantly updated) template library for phishing simulations, robust automated assignment features (like Smart Groups and AIDA AI orchestration), and great compliance training tracking.
Hoxhunt — Best for high engagement & gamified micro-training
The Vibe: Behavior-change focused, modern, and user-loved.
Pros: Inverts the traditional annoying training model by using heavy gamification, positive reinforcement, and personalized micro-challenges right inside the user's inbox (Outlook/Gmail). It boasts high employee engagement and brilliant drop-in deployment.
Cons: Less traditional long-form compliance content if you need strict, check-the-box regulatory training modules.
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training — Best for threat intelligence integration
The Vibe: Data-driven and enterprise-grade.
Pros: Leverages massive real-world threat telemetry. If an active phishing campaign is hitting your industry in the wild, Proofpoint can dynamically mirror those exact attack vectors into your simulation queue. Excellent user-reporting tools (like PhishAlarm) tie right back into remediation.
Cons: Shines brightest if you are already utilizing Proofpoint's broader email security ecosystem; standalone deployment can be heavier.
NINJIO — Best for Hollywood-style storytelling & micro-learning
The Vibe: Entertaining, bite-sized, and narrative-driven.
Pros: Uses engaging, 3-to-4-minute episodic micro-videos (often styled like mini-dramas/cartoons) based on real breaches. Consistently scores exceptionally high on user satisfaction and renewal intent.
Cons: Less granular automated orchestration compared to enterprise behemoths like KnowBe4.
To help narrow down which platform fits your team best, tell me:
What is your approximate employee count?
Do you use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for email?
Are you trying to solve a general security culture issue or do you have strict compliance/regulatory requirements (like HIPAA or SOC2)?
If your goal is actually reducing phishing risk—not just checking an annual training box—I’d shortlist KnowBe4, Hoxhunt, and Proofpoint.
My recommendation
🥇 Best overall: KnowBe4
KnowBe4 is the safest all-around choice for most organizations. It combines a very large training library with highly configurable phishing simulations, automated campaigns, risk scoring, and reporting. Independent 2026 comparisons currently put it at or near the top for overall security-awareness programs.
Yes. If your goal is harder-to-spot but controlled employee simulations, several established security-awareness vendors now offer AI-generated or adaptive phishing.
Vendor
What stands out
Best fit
Hoxhunt
AI-generated spear-phishing tailored to the recipient, adaptive difficulty, and simulations across email, Teams, SMS, voice, and deepfakes.
Most adaptive/personalized
Adaptive Security
My team is spotting our current phishing tests too easily. Can you recommend platforms that use AI to generate more realistic phishing simulations for training?
If your team is consistently spotting your phishing tests, I’d look beyond platforms that simply rotate through prebuilt templates. The most useful upgrade is a platform that generates new, context-aware phishing simulations, adapts difficulty to each employee, and models the techniques attackers actually use—while providing safe, immediate training feedback.
Based on current product information for 2026, these are the platforms I’d shortlist first.
Best AI-powered phishing simulation platforms
1. Hoxhunt
(Best for adaptive realism)
Hoxhunt offers AI-generated spear-phishing simulations personalized to employee context, plus adaptive difficulty based on individual skill. It also supports training across email, Microsoft Teams, SMS and voice-related scenarios.
Mimecast Secure Email Gateway : Features "Attachment Protect," which uses static analysis and a cloud sandbox to evaluate risky files and macro-enabled documents.
Barracuda Email Protection : Combines behavioral and heuristic checks with full dynamic cloud sandboxing to detonate suspicious files.
Cisco Secure Email : Integrates Cisco Secure Malware Analytics (formerly Threat Grid) for deep behavioral sandboxing of unknown attachments.
Sophos Email Security : Conducts cloud-based sandboxing execution of email attachments to spot registry or file system changes.
Trend Vision One Email and Collaboration Security : Delivers AI-powered detection alongside a dynamic cloud sandbox to simulate and assess potentially malicious files.
If you'd like, let me know:
Whether you need an on-premises appliance or a cloud-native / O365-integrated solution
Your approximate user seat count
I can help narrow down which gateway fits your infrastructure best.
Yes. Several major secure email gateways (SEGs) offer sandboxing/detonation of email attachments to detect zero-day and otherwise unknown malware.
Email security gateway
Attachment sandboxing
Notes
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 – Safe Attachments
✅
Detonates attachments in a virtual environment before delivery; supports blocking, quarantine, and Dynamic Delivery.
I'm looking for an enterprise-level email security gateway that offers sandboxing to defend against sophisticated email attacks. Can you recommend some options?
For an enterprise that needs to defend against sophisticated email attacks, I’d prioritize a secure email gateway (SEG) with attachment sandboxing, URL analysis, zero-day malware detection, and business email compromise (BEC) protection.
Sandboxing is particularly valuable because it executes suspicious attachments in an isolated environment to observe malicious behavior that traditional antivirus signatures may miss. However, it should be combined with phishing, impersonation, and credential-theft detection rather than treated as a complete defense on its own.
I am looking for an enterprise-grade email security gateway that features sandboxing to defend against sophisticated email attacks.
Google AI Mode· Oct 13, 2026
When defending an enterprise against sophisticated, zero-day email attacks, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and targeted malware, traditional signature-based filters are no longer sufficient. Enterprise-grade Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) integrate advanced behavioral sandboxing to safely detonate and analyze suspicious attachments and URLs in an isolated environment.[](https://www.fortinet.com/resources/analyst-reports/gartner-magic-quadrant-email-security)
Top enterprise-grade email security solutions featuring robust sandboxing capabilities include:
If you'd like to narrow down these options, let me know:
I can help tailor the recommendation to your current infrastructure and budget.
For an enterprise that specifically needs gateway filtering plus attachment sandboxing, I’d shortlist Proofpoint, Mimecast, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 rather than pick solely on “best” claims.
Best email security and phishing defense tools for 2026
For a company facing frequent phishing attempts, I recommend evaluating email threat prevention and employee training as two complementary layers. A secure email gateway should block malicious messages before they reach inboxes, while phishing simulations and targeted training help employees recognize and report attacks that get through.
There is no universal winner across every environment. The strongest choice depends on whether your biggest risks are credential theft, business email compromise (BEC), malicious links and attachments, or employees repeatedly falling for convincing messages.
One useful benchmark is Microsoft's email security comparison, which measures missed high-severity threats per 1,000 protected users rather than simply counting blocked emails. Its May–July 2026 results reported that Microsoft Defender missed fewer high-severity threats than the other secure email gateways evaluated. These results are useful evidence, but they are Microsoft-published benchmarks rather than an independent, vendor-neutral test.
1. Shortlist: email security gateways and phishing defense
1. Microsoft Defender for Office 365
(Best benchmark evidence)
Best for: Microsoft 365 organizations seeking integrated protection.
Detection: Anti-phishing, malicious URL and attachment protection, impersonation detection, and post-delivery remediation.
Training: Attack simulation training and phishing campaigns, with plan-dependent capabilities.
Why shortlist it: Microsoft's published benchmark gives it the strongest measured high-severity threat prevention result among the gateways compared in the May–July 2026 period.
Website:
2. Proofpoint Email Protection
Best for: Larger organizations with sophisticated phishing and targeted impersonation threats.
Detection: Email threat intelligence, phishing and BEC protection, and malicious message analysis.
Training:Proofpoint ZenGuide provides phishing simulations, awareness content, and user-risk-focused training.
Why shortlist it: A strong candidate when email defense and employee behavior management need to work together, especially in complex enterprise environments.
Best for: Organizations looking for an established email security gateway with awareness training options.
Detection: Phishing, impersonation, malicious attachments, and URL-based threats.
Training:Mimecast Engage supports security awareness and phishing simulations.
Why shortlist it: Worth comparing against Proofpoint and Defender for policy control, administration, and the balance between detection and false positives.
Website:
4. Abnormal AI
Best for: Organizations frequently targeted by BEC, vendor impersonation, and socially engineered attacks.
Detection: Behavioral analysis of senders, communication patterns, and identity signals.
Training: Not primarily a traditional security-awareness training platform; pair it with a dedicated training solution if needed.
Why shortlist it: Adds a different detection approach to conventional gateway filtering, particularly for attacks that look like legitimate business correspondence.
Website:
5. Cisco Secure Email
Best for: Enterprises with established Cisco security infrastructure.
Detection: Email threat filtering and protection against malicious content and phishing, depending on the deployment.
Training: Typically requires a separate awareness-training product for a comprehensive simulation and education program.
Why shortlist it: A credible enterprise alternative where integration with existing security operations and infrastructure matters.
Website:
2. Best tools for employee phishing training
These products address a different question from gateway detection: can employees recognize suspicious messages, avoid risky actions, and report attacks quickly?
KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training
(Best all-round training)
A broad training library, configurable phishing simulations, automated campaigns, and reporting. Particularly suitable for companies that need repeatable programs across many departments and compliance requirements. KnowBe4 also offers a separate email defense product, KnowBe4 Defend.
Emphasizes personalized phishing simulations, gamification, and short learning experiences. A good candidate when employees ignore traditional annual training or the company wants to improve reporting behavior over time.
Strong fit for organizations that want phishing simulations and user-risk analytics connected to an existing Proofpoint security environment. Particularly attractive for centralized enterprise programs.
Convenient for eligible Microsoft 365 organizations that want to simulate phishing, assign training, and measure results without introducing another training vendor. Verify licensing and feature availability before choosing it.
The practical distinction is that KnowBe4 prioritizes breadth and configurability, Hoxhunt emphasizes personalized engagement, and Proofpoint ZenGuide is attractive for companies already invested in Proofpoint. These are product-fit judgments, not a claim that one platform has independently demonstrated the greatest reduction in successful phishing attacks.
3. How to compare actual phishing catch rates
Be careful with vendor claims such as “blocks 99% of threats.” Different vendors may test different attack samples, threat categories, and deployment configurations.
For a procurement evaluation, measure these outcomes:
Metric
What to look for
Pre-delivery detection
Percentage of malicious messages stopped before reaching inboxes
BEC and impersonation
Detection of fake executives, supplier fraud, and payment-change requests
Credential phishing
Detection of credential-harvesting pages, including delayed or rewritten URLs
Post-delivery remediation
Speed and success in removing threats that initially bypass filtering
False positives
Legitimate business emails incorrectly quarantined
User reporting
Important: Evaluate detection with a representative sample of your own threat traffic, not just a vendor's published results. Microsoft's benchmark is a useful starting point, but its own methodology and telemetry should be considered when interpreting its comparisons.
4. My recommended combinations
For a Microsoft 365 company
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 + KnowBe4 or Hoxhunt
Start by tuning Defender's existing protections. Add KnowBe4 for a broad training and compliance program, or Hoxhunt if personalized engagement is the priority.
For a larger enterprise facing targeted attacks
Proofpoint Email Protection + Proofpoint ZenGuide, or Defender + Abnormal AI + dedicated training
Prioritize BEC, executive impersonation, supplier fraud, identity-based detection, and post-delivery response. Avoid paying for overlapping products without evidence of incremental detection.
For a company with repeated employee mistakes
An effective existing gateway + Hoxhunt or KnowBe4
Focus on frequent, low-friction simulations, immediate coaching, an easy report-phishing button, and tracking repeat failures. Buying a second gateway alone will not resolve employee behavior problems.
5. Narrowing this to the best fit for your company
The two details that most affect the recommendation are your email platform and the type of phishing you receive most often.
For organizations facing high-volume or highly targeted phishing attempts, the top-tier solutions combine an industry-leading Secure Email Gateway (SEG) or API-based email security platform with a robust Security Awareness Training (SAT) ecosystem.
Industry analysis from platforms like Gartner Peer Insights and community consensus highlight the following market leaders for catch rates and user training integration:
Top Email Security Gateways & Threat Defense (High Catch Rates)
Recognized consistently as a Leader in the Mimecast Leads Gartner Magic Quadrant for Email Security , Mimecast excels at inline protection, URL rewriting, impersonation protection, and robust internal email monitoring.[]()
What email security tools offer advanced threat detection to stop unknown or emerging threats before they are exploited?
To stop unknown, zero-day, and emerging email threats (such as sophisticated AI-generated spear-phishing, polymorphic malware, and novel Business Email Compromise/BEC campaigns), modern email security platforms move beyond traditional static signature matching . Instead, they rely on behavioral AI, machine learning baselines, and advanced sandboxing.[](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/what-is-email-threat-prevention-a-complete-guide-in-2026/)
Leading tools offering advanced threat detection include:
Abnormal AI : An AI-native platform that builds behavioral baselines of normal communication patterns across your organization. It detects zero-day anomalies, identity compromise, and socially engineered attacks without relying on known signatures or indicators.
Proofpoint Email Protection : Utilizes machine learning and predictive analytics alongside Targeted Attack Protection (TAP) to sandbox attachments, inspect URLs dynamically, and intercept zero-day malware and imposter emails before they hit the inbox.
Advanced Email Security : Employs AI-driven structural and contextual analysis, full emulation sandboxing, and AI code analysis to identify previously unseen malware and evolving evasion techniques.
Which email security platforms are best at detecting and preventing unknown or new threats before they can be exploited?
which email security tools suit me best?
ChatGPT Search· Sep 19, 2026
The best fit depends on your setup:
Microsoft 365 users:microsoft.com — strong default if you already use Microsoft; covers phishing, malware, Safe Links, and Safe Attachments.
Google Workspace / Microsoft 365 teams worried about BEC scams:abnormalsecurity.com — focuses on behavioral detection of account takeover and business email compromise.
Large enterprises / regulated industries:proofpoint.com — strong threat intelligence, compliance, DLP, and advanced filtering.
Mid-sized companies needing archiving and email continuity:mimecast.com — combines security with continuity and archiving features.
Smaller businesses needing simpler deployment:barracuda.com — commonly used for straightforward email security and management.
To narrow it down, tell me:
Are you protecting personal email, a small business, or an enterprise?
Do you use Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or another mail system?
For 10,000 employees, I’d prioritize an enterprise security awareness platform that combines automated training, phishing simulations, risk-based personalization, centralized reporting, and integrations with your identity and HR systems.
At this scale, the best platform isn't necessarily the one with the most training content. It's the one your security team can administer efficiently, that employees will actually engage with, and that can demonstrate measurable improvements in security behavior.
My recommendation is to shortlist KnowBe4, Hoxhunt, Proofpoint Security Awareness Training, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365's security training capabilities. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize enterprise-wide compliance, behavior change, threat intelligence, or Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Best enterprise platforms compared
My company has over 10,000 employees and we need a security awareness training platform. Which ones are built to handle that scale?
For a company with 10,000+ employees, I’d focus on enterprise-grade security awareness platforms that can manage large user populations, automate training campaigns, support global workforces, integrate with your identity and email systems, and provide audit-ready reporting.
My initial shortlist would be KnowBe4, Proofpoint ZenGuide, Hoxhunt, and Mimecast Engage. These are established options worth evaluating at your scale, although you should validate contractual capacity, licensing, and performance requirements with each vendor rather than assume every plan includes the same enterprise features.
Best security awareness platforms for 10,000+ employees
Top security awareness training platforms for enterprises with 10,000+ employees
For a large organization, the best security awareness training platform should do more than deliver annual compliance courses. It should support large-scale phishing simulations, personalized training, centralized administration, global workforces, integrations with enterprise security tools, and measurable reductions in human-related cyber risk.
As of October 2026, Hoxhunt, KnowBe4, Proofpoint ZenGuide, Mimecast, and Arctic Wolf are among the strongest platforms to evaluate. G2's enterprise rankings and Gartner Peer Insights reviews provide useful independent evidence, although no single vendor is best for every large organization.
Yes. If the problem is employees repeatedly falling for phishing tests, I’d prioritize vendors that make training continuous and game-like rather than just assigning annual compliance videos.
Vendor
Gamification
Phishing simulation
Best fit
Hoxhunt
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Adaptive
Best for behavior change & engagement
KnowBe4
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best all-around / large content library
Proofpoint ZenGuide
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best if you already use Proofpoint
NINJIO
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Short, story-driven training
SoSafe
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Human-risk analytics & global programs
Cofense
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Strong phishing reporting/response focus
My top two
1. Hoxhunt — strongest match
Hoxhunt is particularly interesting for your situation because it combines adaptive phishing simulations, bite-sized training, rewards, badges/stars and leaderboards. The simulations adjust to an employee's behavior and skill level rather than giving everyone the same test. Hoxhunt says its training can be triggered after risky behavior, such as repeatedly clicking simulated phishing messages.
Independent comparisons also specifically identify Hoxhunt as a strong choice for behavior-driven training and engagement.
KnowBe4 has a huge training library, sophisticated phishing simulations, and built-in ways to gamify reporting and other desirable behaviors. Its Smart Groups functionality can award/track progress for actions such as reporting simulated phishing emails.
Given that your employees are already failing phishing tests, I'd pilot Hoxhunt vs. KnowBe4 with the same group for 60–90 days.
Don't measure just click rate. Track:
Phishing-report rate
Repeat offenders
Time to report
Improvement after remedial training
Training completion/engagement
Employee sentiment
Admin time required
That distinction matters: the goal isn't simply to make employees scared of clicking—it is to make reporting a suspicious message the habitual response. Current comparisons increasingly emphasize reporting behavior and measurable risk reduction rather than annual-training completion.
If you tell me roughly how many employees you have and whether you're on Microsoft 365, I can narrow this to the 3 best options and compare pricing, gamification, integrations, and phishing capabilities.
Several top security awareness training and phishing simulation providers specifically incorporate gamification, behavioral science, and positive reinforcement to change employee habits. [](https://hoxhunt.com/blog/gamified-cyber-security-training)
If your team keeps failing phishing simulations, I’d look beyond traditional annual security training and prioritize programs that make learning interactive, game-like, personalized, and continuous.
The goal isn't simply to get employees to stop clicking simulated phishing emails. It's to build habits: spotting suspicious messages, reporting them quickly, and recognizing attacks that arrive through email, text, collaboration apps, or QR codes.
Based on current vendor offerings, these are the programs I’d put on your shortlist.
Best gamified security awareness training programs
1. Hoxhunt
(Best for repeat simulation failures)
Hoxhunt uses adaptive phishing simulations that adjust to each employee's skill level. Employees earn stars and achievements, receive short lessons after simulations, and progress through increasingly challenging scenarios.
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training stands out by tying its education directly to threat intelligence. It leverages real-world phishing lures intercepted "in-the-wild" and uses "Very Attacked People" (VAP) telemetry from your actual email stream to automatically target high-risk individuals with relevant simulations.
IRONSCALES integrates phishing simulation and awareness training directly into an AI-powered email security and incident response platform. This is ideal if you want a consolidated tool where reported phishing simulations and real email threats feed into the exact same remediation workflow.
Arctic Wolf Managed Security Awareness provides a human-assisted, managed approach. If your internal IT or security team lacks the bandwidth to run campaigns, build schedules, and analyze failure rates, Arctic Wolf manages the program for you.[](https://doozy.live/blog/best-security-awareness-training-platforms)
To help narrow down which platform fits your organization, let me know:
How large is your employee workforce?
Do you have a dedicated security team to run campaigns, or do you need a fully managed/automated service?
What is your primary goal? (e.g., passing compliance audits vs. changing daily user habits)
Broad training content, automated phishing campaigns, customizable simulations, risk scoring, and reporting. A strong option for organizations that want a comprehensive, dedicated awareness program.
Best for: SMBs through large enterprises, compliance, and mature training programs.
Emphasizes personalized, gamified phishing simulations and short, targeted learning experiences. Worth evaluating if you want employees to build lasting habits rather than simply complete annual courses.
Best for: Organizations prioritizing engagement and measurable employee behavior.
Threat-intelligence-informed awareness training, phishing simulations, user risk assessment, and targeted learning. Particularly worth considering if Proofpoint is already part of your email security environment.
Best for: Enterprises seeking alignment between email threats and employee training.
Focuses on phishing preparedness and employee reporting, with a broader phishing defense ecosystem that can connect user reports to security operations workflows. A good candidate if you want training to reinforce detection and incident response.
Best for: Security operations teams and organizations focused on phishing reporting.
5. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Attack Simulation Training
Provides phishing simulations and training workflows within Microsoft's security environment. It may reduce the need for a separate platform if your organization already licenses the appropriate Microsoft 365 security capabilities.
Best for: Microsoft 365-centric organizations that want to leverage existing licensing.
Mimecast customers and teams seeking integrated awareness
Infosec IQ
Broad training catalog, phishing tests, assessments, reporting
Mid-market and enterprise training programs
SoSafe
Personalized learning and human-risk analytics
Organizations focused on human risk management
NINJIO
Short, story-driven video training and behavior-focused education
Teams that prioritize engaging training content
Phished
Automated simulations, microlearning, and behavior-based personalization
Lean IT teams seeking lower administrative overhead
How to choose the right solution
The following is my recommended shortlist by organizational priority, rather than a definitive vendor ranking.
Broad content and established program
Start with KnowBe4. Compare its training catalog, automation, reporting, and licensing tiers.
Adaptive training and engagement
Pilot Hoxhunt and compare whether personalized exercises improve reporting rates and reduce repeat mistakes.
Existing enterprise security ecosystem
Compare Proofpoint ZenGuide, Mimecast, and Microsoft Attack Simulation Training against your existing licenses and integrations.
Employee reporting and incident response
Evaluate Cofense, especially if you want reported suspicious emails to feed into security operations workflows.
Evaluation checklist
When comparing vendors, I would score each one against these criteria:
Simulation realism: customizable templates, credential-harvest scenarios, attachments, QR codes, and business email compromise.
Automated remediation: short lessons triggered by simulated phishing failures, with repeat-offender coaching.
Reporting and analytics: click rate, credential-submission rate, employee reporting rate, repeat failures, and trends over time.
Integration: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, single sign-on, HR systems, SIEM/SOAR, and your email security platform.
Program administration: campaign scheduling, multilingual content, role-based training, and automation.
Cost and licensing: total annual cost, minimum seats, contract terms, support, and any additional charges.
One particularly important distinction: don't measure success by click rate alone. Measure whether employees recognize and report suspicious messages, and whether those behaviors improve over time. Mimecast's guidance also recommends recurring simulations with varied scenarios and educational follow-up.
My recommendation
For an initial procurement evaluation, I would compare KnowBe4, Hoxhunt, and Proofpoint ZenGuide, adding Microsoft Attack Simulation Training if you're already invested in Microsoft 365. Include Cofense if employee reporting and incident response are major priorities.
Pricing and feature availability depend on package and organization size, so obtain comparable quotes rather than relying on advertised starting prices.
To narrow this to the best three for your organization: approximately how many employees do you need to train, and are you primarily using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
I'd choose Hoxhunt if your priority is getting employees to recognize and report real attacks rather than simply completing training. Its approach is more adaptive and gamified, with phishing simulations tailored to individual users and emphasis on reporting behavior.
🥇 Best for large enterprises already using Proofpoint: Proofpoint
Proofpoint is particularly compelling if you're already using its email-security ecosystem. Its training can use threat intelligence to create relevant simulations and can test multiple vectors including email, SMS and USB.
Cofense is also worth considering if you want phishing simulation tightly connected to employee reporting and incident response.
What I'd buy
For a typical 50–5,000 employee organization, I'd start with KnowBe4 vs. Hoxhunt and run a pilot with both. Don't judge them primarily by the lowest simulated click rate. Measure:
Phishing-report rate — do employees report suspicious messages?
Time to report — how quickly do they act?
Repeat failures — do the same employees keep clicking?
Admin workload — how much work does your security team spend creating campaigns?
Real-world reporting — do employees report actual suspicious emails, not just simulations?
Microsoft 365/Google Workspace integration — especially the reporting workflow.
That last point matters: modern programs are increasingly measuring behavior change and reporting, rather than treating training completion as the primary outcome.
Bottom line: If you want one answer without knowing anything else about your environment, start with KnowBe4. If you have a mature security team and care most about adaptive training and measurable behavior change, pilot Hoxhunt alongside it.
If you tell me your employee count, Microsoft 365 vs. Google Workspace, and approximate budget per employee/year, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 options and compare actual 2026 pricing and features.
KnowBe4 : Incorporates AI-driven features into its security awareness training suite, allowing administrators to generate targeted, randomized phishing templates and automate adaptive simulation campaigns that scale in complexity based on user vulnerability metrics.
Hook Security : Offers psychological security-focused training and advanced adaptive simulation features designed to move away from "gotcha" tests toward behavioral transformation and realistic modern threat imitation.
Adaptability
Fixed difficulty levels
Automatically increases or eases difficulty based on past user interaction
Generates simulations from public OSINT and can target employees individually across email, SMS, voice and deepfake channels.
Most realistic AI-driven simulations
KnowBe4
AI-generated personalized phishing/vishing, automated training and coaching, plus a very large awareness-training library.
Broad enterprise SAT program
Cofense
Uses real phishing intelligence to turn current attacks into simulations and combines training with reporting/remediation.
Organizations focused heavily on phishing
Proofpoint
Strong threat-intelligence and risk-based security-awareness capabilities.
Existing Proofpoint customers
For your specific problem, I'd shortlist Hoxhunt and Adaptive Security first. Their approaches go beyond simply swapping words in a library template: they can personalize scenarios according to employee role/behavior and incorporate contemporary attack patterns.
One important distinction: you want AI-generated simulations inside a managed security-awareness platform, not a generic AI tool that generates phishing emails. The former gives you controls, consent/scope boundaries, tracking, remediation, and reporting—important when simulations become highly convincing.
If you tell me your approximate employee count and whether you're primarily Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 options and compare pricing/deployment.
Why it fits: Good for teams that have outgrown predictable, recurring email templates.
Website:
2. KnowBe4
(Best all-round enterprise option)
KnowBe4's AI-native Security Awareness Training uses AI agents to personalize training, automate simulations, and deliver real-time coaching. It supports phishing and vishing simulations and has a broad awareness-training library.
Why it fits: Useful if you want sophisticated testing alongside mature reporting, training administration and compliance support.
Website:
3. Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Proofpoint is worth evaluating if you want simulations informed by real-world threat intelligence. Its ThreatFlip capability can turn real phishing attacks into reusable simulation templates, helping move training beyond generic lures.
Why it fits: Especially relevant for enterprises already using Proofpoint email security or threat reporting.
Website:
4. Microsoft Defender Attack Simulation Training
Microsoft offers phishing and social-engineering simulations within its Defender for Office 365 ecosystem, with training and reporting capabilities. It's a natural option for Microsoft 365 organizations, although its licensing and AI-generation features should be checked against your specific plan.
Why it fits: You may be able to improve your testing program without introducing another vendor.
Website:
5. Phished
Phished is another option to evaluate for automated, personalized awareness campaigns and phishing simulations. Ask for a live demonstration of how its AI creates genuinely new scenarios rather than simply choosing from a library.
Why it fits: Worth including when reducing manual campaign creation is as important as increasing difficulty.
Website:
How I’d choose for your specific problem
If your main challenge is…
Start with
Employees recognize the same templates
Hoxhunt or KnowBe4
You want simulations personalized to each employee
Hoxhunt or KnowBe4
You want to base tests on actual attacks hitting your organization
Proofpoint
You already use Microsoft 365 and want fewer tools
Microsoft Defender
You want automated campaign creation and training
Phished
These are starting points based on advertised capabilities, not results from a controlled head-to-head test.
What to demand in a vendor demo
The key is to verify what the AI actually does. Ask each vendor to demonstrate these five things:
Novel simulations: Generate a new scenario live, rather than selecting a familiar template.
Contextual realism: Reflect legitimate business workflows, job roles and approved internal scenarios without exposing sensitive employee information to an AI service.
Adaptive difficulty: Make subsequent tests more challenging based on demonstrated proficiency.
Multiple attack channels: Include relevant scenarios such as email impersonation, QR-code phishing, SMS, collaboration tools and voice scams.
Useful outcome metrics: Track reporting rates, time to report, repeat failures and detection of genuine threats—not just click rates.
Run a controlled pilot with a representative group, and compare performance against your current baseline. Make sure your email-security team knows the simulation infrastructure so realistic tests aren't accidentally mistaken for actual incidents.
My recommendation: Start by demoing Hoxhunt and KnowBe4 side by side. Add Proofpoint if your team already uses its security stack, or Microsoft Defender if you want to maximize your existing Microsoft investment.
One question that would help narrow this down: What platform are you using for phishing tests today? For example, KnowBe4, Microsoft Defender, Proofpoint, GoPhish, or an internally built solution.
Phished.ai : Uses an autonomous personalization engine that continuously profiles individual users, dynamically building and scheduling tailored lures matched to an employee's role and behavioral risk score rather than blasting static batch templates.[](https://www.knowbe4.com/compare/phishing-simulation)
Uses attachment sandboxing, static analysis, and full-emulation techniques; also offers safe-file conversion.
Broadcom Symantec Email Security
✅
Symantec Email Security.cloud can be extended with cloud-based sandboxing through its Email Threat Detection/Response capabilities.
Trend Micro Email Security / Cloud Edge
✅
Its Virtual Analyzer sends suspicious email attachments to a cloud sandbox for malware analysis.
Strongest options to shortlist
If attachment sandboxing is a key buying criterion, I'd put these near the top:
Proofpoint — particularly strong for targeted attacks and malicious attachments.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 — very attractive if you're already standardized on Microsoft 365; Safe Attachments is built directly into the platform.
Mimecast — strong combination of sandboxing, static analysis, file conversion, and gateway controls.
Cisco Secure Email — good choice if you already use Cisco security infrastructure.
FortiMail + FortiSandbox — particularly compelling for organizations with an existing Fortinet Security Fabric.
One important distinction: “malware scanning” does not necessarily mean sandboxing. When comparing vendors, look specifically for dynamic analysis, detonation, behavioral analysis, or sandboxing of suspicious attachments. For example, Microsoft explicitly describes Safe Attachments as opening attachments in a virtual environment and detonating them before delivery.
If you're evaluating these for procurement, I can also make a side-by-side comparison of 10–15 email gateways covering sandboxing, encrypted attachments, Office macros, archive files, URL detonation, API vs. MX deployment, and pricing/licensing model.
Advanced targeted attacks and enterprise threat intelligence
Proofpoint
Sandbox integration and a unified network security ecosystem
FortiMail + FortiSandbox
Cisco infrastructure and SOC integration
Cisco Secure Email
Email security plus continuity and archiving
Mimecast
Hybrid/on-premises deployment and granular DLP
Symantec Email Security
Cloud-first protection with file and URL sandboxing
Check Point Harmony
These are recommendations by use case, not a claim that one product has the highest independently measured detection rate. Verify sandbox features, licensing tiers, and deployment requirements with each vendor.
What to validate during a proof of concept
For sophisticated attacks, I would test these capabilities before making a purchasing decision:
Pre-delivery sandboxing: Are suspicious files held until a verdict is available, or can they reach the inbox first?
Evasion resistance: Does analysis handle password-protected archives, scripts, PDFs, Office documents, and evasive or delayed malware behavior?
URL defense: Are links rewritten or checked at click time to catch threats that become malicious after delivery?
BEC and impersonation: Can the product identify fraudulent payment requests and compromised supplier accounts even without a malicious attachment?
Post-delivery remediation: Can it locate and remove a message across mailboxes after a new threat verdict?
Operational fit: What are the false-positive rate, inspection latency, SIEM/SOAR integration options, and licensing costs?
When defending an enterprise against sophisticated, zero-day, and targeted email attacks, several industry-leading email security gateway (SEG) solutions stand out for their robust sandboxing and multi-layered threat intelligence capabilities:
Proofpoint Enterprise Protection : Widely recognized as a market leader for large enterprises, Proofpoint combines a heavy-duty secure email gateway with advanced executable sandboxing, click-time URL defense, and deep content analysis. Learn more about its capabilities directly on the Proofpoint Email Protection Overview.[](https://www.kaseya.com/blog/best-email-security-solutions/)
Mimecast Email Security : A mature and robust enterprise option, Mimecast utilizes Targeted Threat Protection featuring sophisticated attachment sandboxing, URL rewriting, and comprehensive impersonation/BEC defense. Explore further details on the Mimecast Email Security Platform.
Barracuda Total Email Protection : Barracuda provides enterprise-grade gateway and advanced threat protection, leveraging AI alongside isolated sandbox environments to execute and analyze suspicious attachments for unknown payloads. Check out the platform details via Barracuda Total Email Protection.
Forcepoint Email Security : Forcepoint delivers multi-layered pre- and post-delivery analysis, coupling machine learning with sandboxing to intercept hidden or undiscovered malware and targeted phishing. Read more on the Forcepoint Email Security Solution.
If you'd like to narrow down these choices, please share:
Your primary email infrastructure (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or hybrid on-prem)
Whether you prefer a traditional inline gateway or an API-integrated architecture
Specific compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR)
I can help tailor the recommendation to your environment.
For an enterprise-grade email security gateway with sandboxing, I’d start by evaluating Proofpoint, Mimecast, and Check Point, with Cisco as a strong alternative if you need flexible deployment options. These solutions address advanced threats such as zero-day malware, targeted phishing, malicious attachments, and business email compromise (BEC).
One important distinction: attachment sandboxing is necessary, but it isn't sufficient on its own. Sophisticated attacks can use legitimate-looking messages, compromised accounts, malicious URLs, or executive impersonation without any malware attachment.
Enterprise email security gateways to shortlist
1. Proofpoint Core Email Protection
(Best starting point for advanced threats)
Behavioral AI, threat intelligence, attachment and URL sandboxing, and protection against phishing, BEC, and account compromise. Supports inline gateway and API-based deployment.
Best for: Large enterprises facing targeted attacks and sophisticated social engineering.
Combines Cisco Talos threat intelligence with advanced malware analysis, retrospective detection, and remediation. The Advantage tier supports gateway-based, pre-delivery inspection across Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and on-premises Exchange.
Best for: Enterprises with Cisco security investments or hybrid email environments.
Use these capabilities as a procurement checklist rather than relying on sandboxing alone.
Capability
Why it matters
Dynamic attachment sandboxing
Executes suspicious files in an isolated environment to identify malicious behavior.
URL analysis and click-time protection
Helps stop phishing and links that become malicious after delivery.
BEC and impersonation detection
Detects fraudulent payment requests, executive impersonation, and compromised senders.
Zero-day and evasive malware detection
Identifies threats that evade traditional signatures.
Post-delivery remediation
Finds and removes messages that are later identified as malicious.
SIEM/SOAR integration
My recommendation
Start with a proof of concept involving Proofpoint, Mimecast, and Check Point. Add Cisco if on-premises or hybrid deployment is important. Test all vendors against the same representative attack scenarios, measure detection and false-positive rates, and verify how each handles password-protected archives, sandbox evasion, and malicious links.
One question will help me narrow this down considerably:
What email environment does your organization use?
1. Email platform
Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online
Google Workspace
On-premises or hybrid Exchange
Mixed environment
2. Preferred deployment
Inline secure email gateway (blocks threats before delivery)
API-based protection (integrates with existing email)
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 — particularly compelling if you're already on Microsoft 365; it provides Safe Attachments, Safe Links, anti-phishing, and automated investigation.
Practical recommendation: If you require a true enterprise SEG with sandboxing, put Proofpoint and Mimecast through a hands-on bake-off; if you're heavily invested in Microsoft 365, evaluate Defender first, then test whether a third-party layer materially improves detection.
When protecting an enterprise against advanced email threats like zero-day malware, sophisticated spear-phishing, and Business Email Compromise (BEC), the "best" choice depends on whether you lean toward a dedicated cloud email security platform, an API-integrated cloud native solution, or a traditional secure email gateway (SEG) with robust sandboxing.
Industry analysts (like Gartner) and enterprise deployment trends highlight several top-tier enterprise solutions equipped with advanced CPU-level or OS-level sandboxing:
Top Enterprise Email Security Solutions with Sandboxing
Cisco Secure Email (formerly IronPort / Cloud Mailbox Security): Renowned for high-volume enterprise reliability, Cisco pairs its reputation with Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense and Cisco Threat Grid (its enterprise sandboxing engine). Threat Grid provides deep behavioral analysis and artifact extraction for unknown attachments.
Proofpoint Email Security (with Targeted Attack Protection - TAP): Widely considered an enterprise gold standard for compliance and inbound filtering. Its TAP sandbox dynamically analyzes suspicious attachments and URLs, tracking threat actors across channels and providing granular forensic data.
Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration: Exceptional if you are already in the Check Point ecosystem or want inline API-based/gateway protection. It utilizes SandBlast Threat Emulation , which intercepts files at the CPU-level (OS-level sandboxing) to spot zero-day exploits before code executes.
When evaluating these options for your organization, ensure the sandboxing feature supports:
CPU/OS-level inspection: Catching exploits that try to detect if they are running inside a virtual machine sandbox.
Recursive unpacking: The ability to inspect deeply nested archives or password-protected documents safely.
Speed vs. Accuracy: Enterprise workflows grind to a halt if a sandbox delays normal email delivery for more than a few minutes; look for systems offering rapid static/dynamic pre-filtering.
To help narrow down the ideal platform for your organization, let me know:
Are you primarily using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
Do you prefer an API-based cloud-native approach or a traditional mail transfer agent (MTA) gateway?
What is your approximate seat count / user volume?
Abnormal Security: A top choice for an API-based (non-gateway) approach. Instead of sitting in the mail flow inline, it uses behavioral AI to baseline communication patterns and catches sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) and vendor email compromise that traditional gateways miss.
Cofense / Fortinet (FortiMail): Known for reliable threat intelligence integrations, automated phishing incident response, and solid structural defense against malware and ransomware delivery.[](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/email-security)
Best User Training & Phishing Simulation Tools
KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training: Widely considered the market leader for user training. Its massive library of interactive modules, automated baseline testing, and integration with PhishER Plus By KnowBe4 (their lightweight SOAR/incident response platform) make it very effective at turning employees into a human firewall.
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training (formerly Wombat): Highly rated because it tightly correlates simulated phishing failures with real-world targeted attacks captured by Proofpoint's gateway, allowing for targeted "just-in-time" training for repeat offenders.
Cofense PhishMe: Strong focus on conditioning users to recognize and report real-world phishing threats rather than just completing compliance check-box training.[](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/email-security)
To help narrow down the best fit, could you share:
Are you currently on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
Do you prefer an inline gateway or an API-based mail security overlay?
Roughly how many users need to be covered by the training platform?
IRONSCALES : Combines automated incident response with behavioral AI and crowdsourced threat intelligence to detect polymorphic and zero-day phishing attempts in real time.
Check Point Avanan : Implements an inline, API-based architecture that intercepts threats post- or pre-delivery across cloud email and collaboration suites, leveraging multi-layered machine learning to block zero-day payloads.
Barracuda Total Email Security : Features advanced cloud-based CPU sandboxing ("detonation") for suspicious attachments and AI-driven anti-phishing/fraud filters designed to catch novel zero-day outbreaks.
To help narrow down the best fit for your stack, let me know:
What email environment are you using (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)?
Are you looking for an API-based inline overlay or a traditional Secure Email Gateway (SEG)?
If your goal is stopping unknown, zero-day, polymorphic, or highly evasive email threats before users interact with them, several platforms stand out. The important distinction is whether they rely mainly on signatures/rules or combine behavioral analysis, AI/ML, sandboxing, threat intelligence, and post-delivery detection.
Platform
How it detects unknown/emerging threats
Particularly relevant capabilities
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Heuristic/ML analysis plus sandbox detonation
Safe Attachments detonates suspicious files in a virtual environment; Safe Links provides dynamic URL protection; Microsoft explicitly describes protection against zero-day and unknown malware.
Proofpoint Core Email Protection / Nexus AI
Multi-model behavioral AI + threat intelligence + sandboxing
Analyzes sender behavior, relationships, message intent, URLs and attachments; its Nexus platform is specifically designed to identify novel attacks and adapt as attacker behavior changes.
Mimecast
AI-powered code analysis + behavioral sandboxing + multiple AV engines
Its Zero Day Malware Detection is designed for previously unseen and polymorphic malware, including malware using sandbox-evasion techniques.
Abnormal Security
Behavioral AI and organizational communication modeling
Learns normal user/vendor behavior and looks for deviations, making it particularly focused on novel BEC, impersonation and social-engineering attacks that may contain no known malicious payload.
Cloudflare Email Security
AI + real-time threat intelligence + contextual analysis
Detects BEC, evasive links and malware, with real-time link analysis and post-delivery retraction; it can also isolate suspicious URLs through Remote Browser Isolation.
What I'd look for
For unknown malware, prioritize a product with dynamic sandboxing/detonation + static code analysis + anti-evasion techniques. Mimecast, Proofpoint and Microsoft all document capabilities in this area.
For novel phishing/BEC that has no malware, behavioral/contextual AI becomes more important. Proofpoint and Abnormal emphasize analyzing communication patterns, sender relationships, intent and behavioral anomalies rather than simply looking for known indicators.
For a Microsoft 365 environment, Defender is particularly integrated: as of July 1, 2026, Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 is included with Office 365 E3 and Microsoft 365 E3, while Plan 2 adds capabilities such as advanced investigation, threat hunting and automated investigation/response.
One caveat: vendor claims such as "99.999%" detection or "X% more novel threats" are vendor-reported measurements, often based on proprietary datasets and methodologies, so they shouldn't be treated as directly comparable across vendors.
In short: the main technologies to seek are behavioral AI + sandboxing/detonation + URL analysis at click time + threat intelligence + post-delivery remediation. No email-security product can guarantee that every genuinely new threat will be stopped before exploitation, but those layers are specifically designed to reduce reliance on previously known signatures.
To figure out which email security tool is your absolute best match, it helps to narrow down what kind of environment you're protecting (e.g., a small business on Google Workspace, a massive enterprise on Microsoft 365, or a personal inbox).
Here is a breakdown of top-tier email security tools categorized by who they suit best:
Advanced Email Security & Phishing Protection (API-based / SEG): Best for catching zero-day phishing, BEC (Business Email Compromise), and credential harvesting that bypasses native cloud filters.
Secure Email Gateways (SEG): Traditional in-line routing filters that excel at stopping mass spam, malware, and enforcing compliance/encryption policies.
SMB & Native-Integrated Tools: Lightweight, cost-effective options designed to easily layer onto Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace without complex configuration.
Top options on the market include:
Cisco Email Security (Cloud/Appliance) : Best for large enterprises requiring heavy-duty threat intelligence, robust infrastructure control, and deep integration with existing Cisco networking/security stacks.
Abnormal Security : Best for modern cloud environments (Microsoft 365/Google Workspace) looking for behavioral AI-driven defense against socially engineered attacks and BEC without needing MX record changes.
Proofpoint Email Security : Industry gold standard for large enterprises needing elite compliance, threat intelligence, and protection against targeted human-centric attacks.
Mimecast Email Security : Best for organizations wanting an all-in-one suite combining robust security, continuity (uptime during outages), and deep archiving/compliance features.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 : Best if you are already heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem and want native, seamless integration without managing a separate third-party vendor.
Avanan (Check Point Cloud Email Security) : Best for inline, API-based protection that catches threats post-delivery or pre-delivery inside cloud-native collaboration suites.
To help me narrow down the ideal choice for you, could you tell me:
What email platform you use (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, on-premise)?
How many users or mailboxes you need to protect?
Your biggest security concern right now (e.g., phishing/BEC, spam, compliance, or data loss)?
1. KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training
(Best all-around shortlist choice)
Best for: Large-scale training, compliance, and phishing simulations.
Offers a broad training library, automated user grouping, identity integrations, and extensive reporting, including 60+ built-in reports on supported plans. A strong baseline for a 10,000-person rollout.
Website:
2. Hoxhunt
(Best for behavior change)
Best for: Organizations seeking sustained engagement and fewer risky employee actions.
Uses personalized, gamified microlearning and adaptive phishing simulations. Particularly worth evaluating if employees are tired of annual training or phishing click rates have stopped improving. Its published engagement claims are vendor-reported, so validate them in a pilot.
Website:
3. Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Best for: Enterprises prioritizing real-world threat intelligence and human-risk management.
Provides targeted training based on user behavior, risk, and threat context, along with simulated phishing, assessments, and multilingual content. A particularly relevant contender if you already use Proofpoint email security.
Website:
4. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Attack Simulation Training
Best for: Organizations already invested in Microsoft 365 E5 or Defender for Office 365 Plan 2.
Includes phishing simulations, automated simulation options, training campaigns, and reporting in the Microsoft Defender portal. Check your existing licensing before buying another product; the relevant capabilities require eligible licensing.
Documentation:
How I'd choose for 10,000 employees
Your main priority
Start with
Broad training library, compliance, and mature reporting
KnowBe4
Engagement and measurable behavior change
Hoxhunt
Threat-informed training and human-risk insights
Proofpoint
Reuse existing Microsoft licensing and infrastructure
Microsoft Defender
This is a needs-based shortlist, not a claim that one platform wins every independent benchmark. Enterprise pricing, available features, and licensing vary by package and contract; request quotes for all 10,000 users rather than relying on advertised entry-level prices.
What matters most at your scale
Before signing an enterprise contract, I would require each vendor to demonstrate these capabilities:
Automated provisioning: Joiner, mover, and leaver workflows via Entra ID, Okta, SCIM, or your HR system.
Scalable administration: Bulk enrollment, scheduled campaigns, automated reminders, delegated administration, and exception handling.
Global delivery: Required languages, accessibility, mobile compatibility, and support for employees without standard corporate email accounts.
Actionable metrics: Completion rates, phishing reporting rates, repeat-risk patterns, and progress over time—not just quiz scores.
Enterprise security: SSO, role-based access, audit logs, data residency options, retention controls, and security reviews.
Predictable total cost: All 10,000 seats, implementation, premium content, integrations, support, and renewal increases.
A practical rollout plan
Weeks 1–2: Establish the baseline. Review current phishing reporting, click rates, completion, and existing training tools.
Weeks 3–4: Run a vendor pilot. Test with representative employees across departments, locations, and risk levels.
Weeks 5–8: Roll out in waves. Automate assignments and reminders, with additional support for high-risk groups.
Ongoing: Measure effectiveness. Track reporting behavior, repeat simulation failures, real incident trends, and administrative hours.
My recommendation
I would begin with KnowBe4 and Hoxhunt, then add Proofpoint if you already use its security ecosystem, or Microsoft if your existing licensing makes its capabilities attractive. Have the finalists run the same pilot and score them against identical criteria.
One question would help me narrow this down considerably: What is your primary objective for the 10,000 employees?
A mature training platform with a broad content library, phishing simulations, automated user provisioning, dynamic user groups, and extensive reporting. Supports SAML single sign-on and integrations with identity and learning-management systems.
Best for: Large organizations needing repeatable training campaigns, compliance evidence, and flexible administration.
Website:
2. Proofpoint ZenGuide
A strong enterprise candidate for organizations that want training driven by employee risk, behavior, and role. Proofpoint documents automated learning paths, risk-based interventions, and enterprise-wide program scaling.
Best for: Enterprises already using Proofpoint email security or wanting training tied to their broader threat intelligence and security operations.
Website:
3. Hoxhunt
Focuses on adaptive phishing simulations, personalized microlearning, automation, and behavioral analytics. Its published materials describe training millions of employees globally, with multilingual delivery and customization.
Best for: Large organizations prioritizing employee engagement and measurable changes in phishing behavior over simply completing annual courses.
Check carefully: Whether its adaptive training model, reporting, and governance fit your compliance requirements.
Website:
4. Mimecast Engage
Combines training, AI-powered phishing simulations, behavior-based interventions, and human-risk reporting. Mimecast also documents integrations with security tools such as CrowdStrike, Okta, and Netskope.
Best for: Organizations looking to connect awareness training with existing email security and broader security controls.
Website:
How I would compare them
Requirement
Strong starting point
Broad training catalog and compliance reporting
KnowBe4
Risk intelligence integrated with email security
Proofpoint ZenGuide
Personalized learning and behavior change
Hoxhunt
Security behavior management across existing controls
Mimecast Engage
These are initial-fit recommendations, not a verified performance ranking. All four should be asked to demonstrate your specific scale and operational requirements.
What matters at 10,000+ seats
Before choosing a vendor, require clear answers to these six questions:
Scale and performance: Can it support your full licensed population, peak concurrent training, and mass campaign launches?
Automated provisioning: Does it integrate with Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, your HR system, or SCIM to handle joiners, movers, and leavers?
Distributed administration: Can regional security teams manage their own users while headquarters retains oversight?
Compliance: Can it produce exportable completion records, audit logs, and reports mapped to your required frameworks?
Integration and security: Does it support your email environment, SSO, SIEM, LMS, APIs, and required data residency?
Commercial terms: What are the costs for 10,000, 20,000, or more users, including implementation, premium features, and support?
I would also run a pilot with representative user groups and ask each vendor to demonstrate a bulk campaign, a new-hire provisioning workflow, and an audit report.
Let’s narrow the shortlist
One question will help me recommend the best two or three options: what is your primary goal for the platform?
Managing security awareness training for an enterprise with over 10,000 employees requires a platform with robust automation, deep SCIM/SSO integration (for automated provisioning and de-provisioning), highly scalable multi-tenant or multi-region reporting, and localized content in dozens of languages.
The primary platforms built to comfortably handle enterprise scale, complex organizational hierarchies, and heavy compliance documentation include:
KnowBe4 : The dominant market leader in volume and content breadth. It is well-suited for 10,000+ seat organizations that need deep compliance automation (HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2), a massive library of training modules, and extensive role-based or automated smart-group targeting.
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training (formerly Wombat Security): Excels in large, complex enterprise environments—especially those already leveraging Proofpoint’s email security gateway. Its core differentiator at scale is its People-Centric threat intelligence, which correlates real-world incoming attacks targeting your specific employees with the exact training modules they need.
Hoxhunt : A strong choice for massive workforces if you want to move away from traditional compliance check-the-box modules. It uses behavioral AI and gamification to deliver micro-training directly into the employee's workflow (Outlook/Gmail), managing high-volume engagement gracefully without fatiguing large user bases.[](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/security-awareness-computer-based-training)
Infosec IQ (by Infosec): Built with high flexibility for massive enterprise environments, offering customizable learning paths, role-based training, and deep administrative controls to delegate management across distinct business units or geographic regions.[](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/security-awareness-computer-based-training)
To help narrow down which platform fits your specific infrastructure, could you share:
Are you looking for deep integration with an existing email security stack (like Microsoft or Proofpoint)?
Is your priority strict compliance check-the-box reporting or behavioral/cultural transformation?
Hoxhunt emphasizes adaptive phishing simulations, personalized microlearning, gamification, and employee phishing-reporting behavior. G2's enterprise segment shows strong satisfaction, including high ratings for ease of use, setup, and administration.
Best fit: Enterprises prioritizing employee engagement and measurable improvements in security behavior.
Validate: Governance controls, localization, complex organizational structures, and reporting requirements at 10,000+ seats.
Offers a broad training and compliance content library, automated phishing campaigns, risk scoring, and extensive program-management capabilities. Its established market presence makes it a strong candidate for organization-wide deployments.
Best fit: Enterprises seeking a mature, broad platform for compliance, phishing simulations, and repeatable training programs.
(Best for threat-informed training) Gartner: 4.5/5
Combines security awareness education with phishing simulations and threat-informed training. It is particularly worth evaluating when email security and broader human-risk defenses are central to the organization's existing Proofpoint environment.
Best fit: Large enterprises seeking to align training with email threats and existing security operations.
Validate: Integration scope, campaign flexibility, administrative workload, and the licensing required for your user population.
Mimecast's awareness training capabilities, including its Aware offering, make it a relevant option for companies looking to connect employee education with an email-security strategy. G2 identified Mimecast Aware as a recent upward-trending product in its October 2026 category data.
Best fit: Enterprises already using Mimecast or looking to consolidate email security and awareness workflows.
Validate: Current product packaging, integration depth, behavioral analytics, and how it compares with specialist training platforms.
Its managed security awareness offering is worth considering for organizations that want training to complement a broader managed detection and response or security operations program. It appears among the products featured in G2's category comparisons and Gartner's market listings.
Best fit: Enterprises that value a managed security partner and want awareness initiatives to complement their wider security program.
Validate: Depth of self-service controls, customization, enterprise reporting, and dependence on other Arctic Wolf services.
The following ratings are from Gartner Peer Insights and reflect the broader security awareness training category, not exclusively organizations with 10,000+ employees.
These are not a definitive ranking for 10,000+ employees. For that, compare ratings filtered by enterprise reviewer size, industry, and deployment complexity. Also note that G2's enterprise segment generally means organizations with more than 1,000 employees, so it does not isolate your exact workforce threshold.
Other platforms worth including in an RFP
SoSafe — worth evaluating for personalized learning, human-risk analytics, and multinational deployments.
Infosec IQ — a relevant alternative for structured training programs, compliance content, and phishing assessments.
Adaptive Security — a newer option to assess for AI-driven simulations and automated training workflows.
What matters most at 10,000+ employees
I would evaluate vendors against these six criteria before making a shortlist decision.
1. Scale and administration
Delegated administration, automated provisioning and deprovisioning, business-unit segmentation, and reliable reporting across tens of thousands of users.
2. Global workforce support
Required languages, regional content, accessibility, time-zone handling, and localization for international subsidiaries.
3. Realistic phishing simulations
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace compatibility, reporting buttons, simulation customization, and safeguards against disrupting legitimate business communications.
4. Risk measurement
Track reporting rates, repeat susceptibility, time to report, training effectiveness, and trends by department—not just course completion.
5. Enterprise integrations
SSO, SCIM, HRIS, SIEM, identity systems, and LMS integration where required.
6. Commercial and operational fit
Quote-based pricing at 10,000+ seats, implementation services, support SLAs, contract flexibility, data residency, and the effort required to operate the program.
My recommendation
Start with a three-vendor evaluation:
Hoxhunt — if your main goal is to improve security behavior and phishing-reporting rates.
KnowBe4 — if you need a broad, established training and compliance program.
Proofpoint ZenGuide — if threat-informed training and alignment with your email-security stack are priorities.
Include Mimecast or Arctic Wolf if either fits your existing security ecosystem. Run a pilot using representative departments, then compare engagement, reporting behavior, administrator effort, and fully loaded cost.
For a more targeted recommendation, one question: Which environment best describes your organization?
For large organizations and enterprises with 10,000+ employees, security awareness training (SAT) needs to go beyond basic compliance checkboxes . At this scale, platforms must offer massive multi-language content libraries, automated role-based assignment, advanced analytics, and seamless integration with existing enterprise email and security architectures.[](https://www.doppel.com/blog/security-awareness-training-vendors)
KnowBe4 — Best for Content Breadth & Compliance Automation
Why it fits large enterprises: KnowBe4 is the dominant market incumbent and offers an unmatched library of thousands of training modules, videos, and phishing templates available in over 35 languages. Their expanded Human Risk Management (HRM+) suite includes features like SecurityCoach (real-time, event-driven coaching) and PhishER Plus for high-volume threat orchestration, making it exceptionally scalable for complex multi-region workforces.[](https://www.doppel.com/blog/security-awareness-training-vendors)
Why it fits large enterprises:Proofpoint ties its awareness training directly into its industry-leading enterprise email security gateway ecosystem. It excels at targeting high-risk employees (Very Attacked People or VAPs) with customized micro-learning based on the exact live threats hitting your organization. Its deep analytics and reporting are built specifically for enterprise security teams tracking measurable risk reduction.
Hoxhunt — Best for Gamified, Behavior-Driven Engagement
Why it fits large enterprises: Hoxhunt replaces traditional, heavy annual training modules with a behavior-first, gamified micro-learning model. It uses automated, AI-personalized simulations delivered right into the employee’s workflow (email, MS Teams, SMS). Large enterprises favor it for achieving remarkably high engagement and reporting rates across massive, distributed user bases.
Why it fits large enterprises: NINJIO specializes in Hollywood-style, 3-to-4 minute engaging animated micro-videos (NINJIO Corporate) that target the emotional and behavioral components of cyber hygiene. It routinely scores exceptionally high on user satisfaction and contract renewal rates among major global financial, insurance, and enterprise clients.[](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/security-awareness-computer-based-training)
Why it fits large enterprises: Mimecast utilizes short, high-production sitcom-style video content delivered monthly to prevent employee fatigue. It allows security teams to target high-risk employee segments rather than deploying a single, one-size-fits-all curriculum, optimizing training delivery for large organizational structures.
If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:
Are you looking to integrate with an existing ecosystem like Microsoft 365 / Proofpoint / Mimecast?
Is your primary goal regulatory compliance or active behavioral culture change?
I can help you evaluate which platform aligns best with your architecture.
Hoxhunt: Widely recognized as a pioneer in behavior-driven, fully gamified training. Instead of scheduled bulk testing campaigns, it delivers micro-simulations natively into the user's inbox. When employees correctly spot and report suspicious emails, they earn stars, compete on leaderboards, and receive instant positive reinforcement, turning threat detection into a daily habit.[](https://hoxhunt.com/blog/gamified-cyber-security-training)
IRONSCALES: Features IronSchool , a multi-level, gamified interactive micro-learning and attack simulation system. It combines automated AI-driven phishing simulations with continuous, game-like employee scoring and tracking to highlight security champions and target individual weak spots.
KnowBe4: The industry giant for content variety. Through partnerships with specialized content creators like Popcorn Training and Mediapro, KnowBe4 features an enormous library of interactive games, modules, and modules featuring game mechanics alongside their classic Phish-Prone percentage tracking and simulation tools.
Terranova Security: Offers comprehensive security awareness programs and phishing simulations that integrate gamified learning modules. Their interactive scenarios use game mechanics and localized multi-language content to boost knowledge retention and lower risky click rates.
Mimecast Engage: Integrates tightly with email security suites and utilizes adaptive micro-learning paired with gamified elements and knowledge checks whenever an employee triggers a risk flag or fails a baseline phishing test.
If you'd like to narrow down the choice, tell me:
Your approximate company size (SMB vs. Enterprise)
Whether you are already using a specific email security gateway (like Microsoft 365, Proofpoint, or Mimecast)
I can recommend which platform will integrate best with your current setup.
Why I'd shortlist it: It directly addresses the problem of people repeatedly failing by adapting training rather than giving everyone the same lesson.
Website:
2. KnowBe4
(Best all-around platform)
KnowBe4 offers a broad library of security training, simulated phishing campaigns, interactive games, badges, and optional leaderboards. Administrators can also create remedial training for repeat offenders.
Why I'd shortlist it: A good fit if you want gamification alongside broad compliance coverage and flexible campaign management.
Website:
3. Huntress Managed SAT
(Best for lean IT teams)
Huntress combines story-driven animated episodes, gamification, realistic phishing simulations, and just-in-time coaching. Its managed option handles much of the training program's planning and delivery.
Why I'd shortlist it: Particularly appealing if your team lacks the time to manage frequent campaigns and follow-up training manually.
Website:
4. Proofpoint ZenGuide
Proofpoint offers gamified learning, role-based education, realistic phishing simulations, and just-in-time coaching based on user behavior and risk.
Why I'd shortlist it: Strong candidate for organizations that want to connect awareness training with broader human-risk management and existing Proofpoint security tools.
Website:
5. Check Point Mission: Human Firewall
Launched in October 2026, this interactive experience puts employees through security scenarios involving email, chat, phone, social media, and QR codes. Learners earn badges and progress through personalized missions.
Why I'd shortlist it: Worth evaluating if your employees need to recognize social engineering beyond email. Confirm availability and licensing with Check Point before planning a rollout.
Website:
How I'd compare them
Program
Main differentiator
Best fit
Hoxhunt
Adaptive challenges and rewards
Persistent simulation failures
KnowBe4
Broad content and game library
General-purpose training
Huntress
Managed delivery and coaching
Small or overstretched IT teams
Proofpoint ZenGuide
Risk-based, role-specific training
Larger or security-mature organizations
Check Point Mission: Human Firewall
Cross-channel interactive missions
Email, phone, chat, and QR threats
These are feature-based recommendations, not an independently verified performance ranking. Confirm which gamification features are included in each package, since licensing and capabilities can vary.
What I would implement first
Whichever platform you choose, I would run a 60–90 day pilot rather than simply purchasing a license and repeating your current training approach.
Weeks 1–2: Establish a baseline
Measure simulation click rates, successful phishing reports, and which departments or scenarios cause the most difficulty.
Weeks 3–6: Introduce gamified learning
Use short, frequent simulations, immediate explanations after mistakes, badges for reporting suspicious emails, and optional team-based challenges.
Weeks 7–12: Measure improvement
Compare results with the baseline, using new scenarios so employees cannot simply memorize the test. Provide additional coaching to people who continue to struggle.
Metrics that matter most
Phishing click rate: Is it declining over time?
Reporting rate: Are more employees reporting suspicious messages instead of interacting with them?
Repeat-failure rate: Are the same people repeatedly falling for simulations?
Time to report: How quickly are suspicious messages being flagged?
Real-threat reporting: Are employees reporting actual phishing attempts, not just simulated ones?
Huntress and Hoxhunt both describe approaches that combine repeated simulations with coaching and performance tracking.
One important caution: make gamification about rewarding good security habits, not publicly shaming people who fail. A team-based challenge that rewards reporting is often a better starting point than a leaderboard of the worst performers.
Help me narrow the shortlist
I can recommend the best two or three options for your team if you share a little context.
When teams repeatedly fail phishing simulations, it usually means the training feels like a punitive compliance checkbox rather than a practical skill. Shifting to platforms that use positive reinforcement, immediate micro-feedback, and gamification can dramatically improve engagement and reporting rates.
Top security awareness platforms featuring strong gamification and behavioral mechanics include:
Hoxhunt : Transforms phishing detection into a positive challenge. Instead of lengthy modules, it delivers frequent, role-tailored micro-simulations directly to the inbox. Users earn points, track personal progress, and receive instant, contextual feedback when they correctly spot or report a threat.
KnowBe4 : The industry giant featuring a massive content library (ModStore ) that includes interactive games, modules, and leaderboards. It allows you to run automated, continuous phishing assessments paired with competitive elements to keep employees invested.
Proofpoint Security Awareness : Integrates robust global threat intelligence into its simulations so users face lures modeled directly on active, real-world attacks. It incorporates game-based interactive modules, rewards, and leaderboards to reinforce correct identification.
Mimecast Engage : Focuses on bite-sized microlearning and active threat participation. It turns security awareness into an interactive experience using games, videos, and role-relevant threat scenarios so employees feel like part of the defense team.
If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:
What is your company size or industry?
Are you looking for a tool that integrates directly with Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace , or a standalone LMS?
I can help you compare pricing models or deployment effort for these options.
