Barracuda Review - Features, Pricing & Deals

Barracuda Networks provides cybersecurity solutions that protect organizations from email threats, network attacks, and data breaches. Founded in 2003, this California-based company has grown into a comprehensive security provider serving businesses of all sizes.

Their product lineup includes email security gateways, network firewalls, and backup solutions. The email protection tools guard against phishing attempts and malware, while their network security offerings monitor and control web traffic to prevent attacks. For data protection, they offer both on-premises and cloud-based backup options.

The platform uses multiple security layers to defend against threats. Their basic email protection starts at $6.86 per user monthly, with premium tiers available for organizations needing advanced features. The solution works with common business tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, making it simple to implement into existing systems.

Recent updates have added protection against account takeover attempts and AI-powered threats. The company has also expanded into new markets, including India, where they now offer local data storage to meet compliance requirements.

• Comprehensive Email Security: Defends against phishing, spam, and malware with advanced threat detection and filtering capabilities across multiple email platforms.
• Advanced Network Defense: Provides robust web security gateway with real-time deep packet inspection, content filtering, and granular control over web applications.
• Next-Generation Firewall Protection: Offers comprehensive network security with sophisticated threat detection and prevention technologies for organizations.
• Cloud-Based Data Backup: Delivers secure cloud backup solutions with incremental backup capabilities for critical business applications like Microsoft Exchange and SQL Server.
• Managed Extended Detection and Response: Integrates multiple security tools to enhance cyber resilience and provide comprehensive threat monitoring.
• Regulatory Compliance Support: Helps organizations maintain compliance by preserving accurate system activity records and enabling detailed policy management.
• Seamless Cloud Integration: Supports integration with major cloud services like Office 365 and G Suite for flexible and efficient cybersecurity deployment.

• Advanced Tier starts at $6.86 per user per month for 15 users, including spam and malware protection, attachment and link protection, email continuity, phishing prevention, and account takeover protection.
• Premium Tier offers additional features beyond the Advanced tier, but specific pricing requires a direct quote from the vendor.
• Premium Plus Tier provides comprehensive features like Domain Fraud Protection, Web Security, Zero Trust Access for Microsoft 365, and Security Awareness Training, with pricing available upon request.
• SpamTitan offers competitive pricing at $1.95 per user per month for 25 users, or $214.50 per month for 100 business users.

Barracuda's Account Takeover Protection works by monitoring both incoming and outgoing email patterns. The system looks for unusual behavior like sudden increases in email volume, messages to new contacts, or strange sending times. When suspicious activity is detected, it automatically blocks potential takeovers and alerts your IT team. Think of it as a security guard that learns your normal email habits and jumps in when something doesn't look right. This protection runs continuously in the background, so you don't need to manually check for compromised accounts.

The Advanced tier includes basic spam filtering, malware protection, email continuity, and the new account takeover protection. When you step up to Premium, you get additional features like advanced threat hunting and data loss prevention. The Premium Plus package adds domain fraud protection, web security, Zero Trust Access for Microsoft 365, and security awareness training for your team. Each level builds on the previous one, so you can choose what fits your security needs without paying for features you won't use.

Yes, Barracuda's Email Protection works with most email platforms including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and traditional email servers. The system offers flexible deployment options - you can set it up in the cloud, on-premises, or in a hybrid configuration. Most customers find setup pretty straightforward, though some technical knowledge helps during integration. Barracuda also provides onboarding support to help you connect everything properly. You won't need to change your email addresses or make major adjustments to your current setup.

Barracuda stands out by offering both inbound and outbound email monitoring - many competitors only scan incoming messages. Their approach to account takeover protection is more proactive than reactive, catching suspicious behavior before damage happens. The quarantine feature lets you easily remove dangerous emails from multiple inboxes at once, which saves time during security incidents. Barracuda also bundles different security features together, so you're not juggling multiple tools from different vendors. The tradeoff is that some users find it has a steeper learning curve than simpler security tools.

Yes, Barracuda typically offers a 30-day free trial of their Email Protection solution. This gives you enough time to test how it works with your existing email system and see the protection in action. During the trial, you'll have access to most features, though some advanced capabilities might be limited. To start a trial, you'll need to fill out a request form on their website with your contact information. No credit card is required to begin the trial, making it a risk-free way to evaluate if the solution fits your needs.